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LOT 3044
First Year Production New Haven Arms Company Henry
Lever Action Rifle with Original Sling - Serial no. 1260, 44 Henry RF cal.,
24 inch octagon bbl., blue/brass finish, varnished walnut stock. This Henry lever action rifle
was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., c. November 1862. The rifle has the distinctive brass receiver
and crescent buttplate with 24-inch blued octagon barrel and integral magazine. The hammer and loading lever are color casehardened.
The straight grain, black walnut, stock has a low-luster varnish finish. This rifle is one of the very rare Henry rifles with the sling swivel and sling hook loop
mounted on the right side of the stock and barrel. Sling swivels were a special order feature on early production Henry rifles and were normally mounted on the left side of
the stock and barrel. However, as a special order item, the customer could have the swivels mounted on the right side of the stock and barrel. The rifle has the distinctive early features which
include: (1) alternate rear sight dovetail on the receiver, (2) buttplate with rounded heel, (3) serial numbered buttplate and stock screws, (4) third variation, folding leaf rear sight with “1” (100 yard) marking on
the base, “900” yard marking on the top of the leaf below the center notch and elevator bar with rounded ends, (5) small diameter magazine cartridge follower, (6) straight follower cut in the frame for the small
cartridge follower and (7) stock with early perch belly profile and Henry Bump on the left side. The barrel has the second pattern, square back, nickel silver front sight blade. The serial number is stamped on: (1)
the top of the barrel between the rear sight dovetail and the receiver, (2) on the lower left side of the tang beneath the stock, (3) on the inside of the upper stock tang inlet and (4) on the inside of the buttplate at
the heel. The shanks of the hand-fitted fitted buttplate screws and upper and lower tang screws are stamped with the rifle serial number. All of the visible serial numbers match. The “H” inspection mark of B. Tyler
Henry is stamped on the lower tang behind the lever latch. Matching assembly numbers are stamped on the inside of the barrel under the loading sleeve and on the rear face of the loading sleeve. The top of the
barrel is stamped with the first pattern, short legend “HENRY’S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACTURED BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO. NEWHAVEN CT.” in two lines ahead of the rear sight dovetail. The legend uses
Gothic (non-serifed) letters for “NEWHAVEN” and Roman (serif) letters for the remainder of the marking. The rifle is fitted with a very rare Henry sling made of black saddle leather with brass buckle and iron sling
hook. The New Haven Arms Co., manufactured approximately 1,300 Henry rifles in 1862 as Oliver Winchester struggled to build a market for his advanced 15-shot repeating rifle. In 1863 and 1864 the advantages
of the firepower provided by the Henry rifle became apparent and large numbers of rifles were purchased by individual Federal soldiers. Experts believe that most standard configuration Henry rifles manufactured
between 1862 and 1865 were purchased by individual soldiers and saw some Civil War service. Henry rifles were especially popular with soldiers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan regiments.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel and magazine have a smooth gray-brown patina overall. The brass receiver and buttplate have a very attractive un-polished patina. The receiver is very fine with sharp edges,
tight side plate joints and minimal handling marks and scratches. The buttplate matches the
receiver in finish and condition. The stock is very good with minimal wear and retains a high
percentage of the original varnish. All of the markings and serial numbers are crisp. The sling is
supple with tight stitching. Mechanically excellent. This is an exceptional example of a desirable
first year, Civil War production Henry lever action rifle complete with very scarce sling on
special order sling swivels.
Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection.
Estimate: 27,500 - 42,500 47