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This example has the early style frame
which shows an abrupt angle and only a
slight edge bevel on the upper rear, which
was standard until approximately the 4900 serial number
range. 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, inside the buttplate, and on the shank of both buttplate screws. The buttplate screws
are hand-fitted to the contour of the buttplate and thus are correctly numbered, while the tang screws are not
hand-fitted and correctly lack numbers, a transition variation which is seen in approximately the 3000-5600 serial
number range. It is fitted with a correct, flat-backed, German silver blade front sight and correct folding ladder
rear sight graduated to 900 yards. It is not fitted with sling swivels, a feature normally seen on martial Henrys.
It is correctly mounted with the last style buttstock, which entered production around the 3200 serial number
range and has the gently sloping comb, flat bottom, and is fitted with the earlier style trapdoor buttplate with the
rounded heel that was standard until around the 5100 serial number range. There is a rarely seen “C.G.C.” cartouche
on the right of the wrist. In the included letter from noted Winchester author and historian George Madis he states
that his Henry is all original and goes into detail regarding the various components.
CONDITION: Very good, the iron showing a smooth brown patina overall with some scattered patches of light surface
pitting, typical of martially inspected Henrys. The brass shows an untouched, attractively aged, mellow patina and
the sideplates fitting tightly. The lightly sanded, revarnished wood is also very good with some scattered minor dings,
some light chips at the toe, and a visible cartouche on the right wrist. Mechanically excellent. A scarce opportunity to
own a very solid, representative example of a U.S. martially inspected Henry rifle!
Estimate: 22,500 - 35,000
Historic Fact
The Ordnance Department’s December 30, 1863
contract order was filled with 800 rifles in the 3000-
4000 serial number range, and were shipped to the
arsenal in Washington, D.C. These rifles were issued
to the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry Regiment,
and are the only Henry rifles marked with Ordnance
Inspector marks on the stock and barrel.
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