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Identified by serial number in
The Historic Henry Rifle by Sword
The 7th Illinois was present for the Grand Review in Washington and was then
mustered out of service on 9 July 1865. Edmond DeLeuw died in 1878 at the age of just 33.
This mid-1864 production Henry has the later style frame which shows a more gentle angle and larger edge
bevel on the upper rear, a change which began to appear in approximately the 4900 serial number range,
and has the previously mentioned inscription hand-engraved on top. The lever is of the
second style with a spur that engages the lever latch screw, which entered production
in the early 400 serial number range and continued until the end of production.
The hammer has the correct coarse,
hand-filed checkering. The frame correctly
lacks a rear sight dovetail slot, a feature
that was discontinued around the 3100 serial
number range. The magazine follower is the correct, larger,
second style and the frame has the correct milled flats in the receiver slot. The barrel has the correct, two-line, larger style
Henry’s patent and New Haven address marking, which appeared in the 3000 serial number range. The rear sight dovetail is just in
front of the second style, larger-digit serial number, which is at the breech. The matching serial number is marked on the barrel, left
side of the lower tang, in the stock inlet, and inside the buttplate. The screws are correctly unnumbered, as was common after the
5600 serial number range. It is fitted with the correct, square-backed, German silver blade front sight and correct folding ladder rear
sight graduated to 900 yards. There are sling swivels mounted on the left of the barrel with a ring and left of the stock. It is correctly
mounted with the last style buttstock, which entered production around the 3200 serial number range and has the gently sloping
comb and flat bottom, as well as being fitted with the last style trapdoor crescent buttplate which became standard in the 5100 serial
number range.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining strong traces of the original blue finish in the sheltered areas of the barrel and magazine, a
rare feat for any Civil War used Henry rifle, with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered patches of light surface
pitting/oxidation. The brass shows an attractively aged, mellow patina with some minor dings in the top edges of the side plates,
which remain tightly fitted, and the inscription remaining crisp. The wood is fine with an applied coat of protective varnish and some
scattered minor dings and scratches, typical of wartime use. Mechanically excellent. A fantastic opportunity to own an identified,
inscribed, Civil War used Henry rifle that was carried by Edmond J. DeLeuw of the 7th Illinois Veteran Volunteers!
Estimate: 30,000 - 50,000
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