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LOT 27
Fine Civil War Production New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 7326, 44 Henry RF cal., 24
inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is a fine example of an original Henry lever action rifle manufactured by the
New Haven Arms Co. late in the Civil War. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the second style legend “HENRY’S PATENT.
OCT.16.1860/MANUFACT’D. BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN.CT.” with all serifed letters. The serial number is
stamped on the top barrel flat at the breech and on the inside of the buttplate (the stock has not been removed to examine
the serial number on the stock and receiver tang). The rifle has the distinctive brass receiver and 24 inch octagon barrel
with integral 15-shot magazine. The barrel has a nickel-silver square back front sight and a folding adjustable rear sight
with 900 yard center notch and a stop screw for the elevation bar. The inspection mark “H” for B. Tyler Henry is stamped on
the lower receiver tang. The barrel and magazine are blue, the hammer and loading lever are color casehardened, and the
straight grain black walnut stock has an oil finish. The buttplate is the second style with sharply pointed heel. The buttplate
has the hinged trapdoor and the butt trap which contains a four-piece jointed steel cleaning rod. The buttplate screws
are the late style cap screws which are not correctly stamped with the rifle serial number. The left side of the stock has a
factory sling swivel, and the left side of the barrel has a factory screw fastened loop for a sling hook. The Henry rifle was the
most advanced firearm of the American Civil War, and most of the New Haven Arms Co. rifle production were purchased
by individual Federal soldiers who wanted the advantage of a 15-shot repeating rifle. After the Civil War the Henry rifle was
extremely popular with frontiersmen and Native Americans.