Page 33 - 4091-BOOK1

Extremely Rare and Outstanding Documented Iron Frame New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle
LOT 20
Extremely Rare and Outstanding Documented Iron Frame New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 90, 44 Henry RF cal., 24 3/8 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Henry lever action rifle is among the most famous and desirable of all of the historic American lever action rifles as the predecessor to the famous Winchester lever action rifles and one of the most advanced firearms of the American Civil War. Of the Henry variants, the distinctive iron frame Henry rifles are the rarest and most desirable, and this extraordinary rifle is one of the finest original iron frame Henry rifles known today. It is certainly among the rarest and most desirable
of all antique American firearms. Only an estimated 200-300 Henry rifles with iron frames were manufactured by New Haven Arms Co. before the company discontinued them in favor of the “brass” gunmetal frames, and less than 100 of these rifle are reportedly known today. These iron framed rifles were manufactured during the first three months of production (April-June 1862), and the known serial numbers of the identified iron frame Henry rifles range from 1-393. Collectors have also identified seventy-seven brass frame Henry rifles in this same serial number range and sixteen brass and iron frame Henry rifles with duplicate serial numbers. This rifle is listed by serial number as a known surviving iron frame Henry on page 54 of Les Quick’s book “The Story of Benjamin Tyler Henry and His Famed Repeating Rifle.” No corresponding brass frame rifle is noted. It is also featured on pages 30-31 where it is noted as “An early iron frame Henry rifle, serial number ‘90,’ in excellent condition and retaining most of its original barrel finish. Tommy Rholes collection.” The serial number is also shown in the list of known iron frames on page 85 of “The Historic Henry Rifle” by Wiley Sword.
Experts believe that most Henry rifles manufactured before 1865 saw military service. Although the Federal government purchased only slightly more than 1,700 Henry rifles between 1862 and 1865, individual soldiers were quick to recognize the firepower offered by a 15-shot repeating rifle. Most Henry rifles were privately purchased by Federal soldiers from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Kentucky regiments. Many of the early iron frame Henry rifles were shipped to New Haven Arms Co. dealers in Louisville, Kentucky, and a few iron frame Henry rifles were obtained by Confederate soldiers. Given the extensive use of Henry rifles broadly during the Civil War and in the latter part of the 19th century, the high condition of this rifle is particularly remarkable. It appears to have seen no use and instead was clearly very carefully looked after for more than 160 years.
31