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LOT 3048
Unique New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 11348/806, 44 Henry
RF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This Henry lever action rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company c. early 1866, the final year of Henry rifle production. This rifle has the serial number “11348” stamped on the left side of the lower receiver tang, in the upper tang inlet of the stock and on the
inside of the buttplate. The number “806” is stamped in the usual location on the top barrel flat between the rear sight dovetail and the receiver and on the upper left side of the receiver tang. The barrel has the first pattern, small, New Haven Arms Company address that utilizes block letters for the second “NEWHAVEN” marking and serif letters for the balance of the address. The barrel and integral 15-shot magazine have the later style, flat
back, nickel-silver front sight blade, large diameter brass follower and fourth variation, folding leaf rear sight
with stop-screw below the 900 yard center notch and elevation bar with wide “V” notch. The second style brass receiver lacks the sight dove-tail found on early Henry rifles and has the milled flats on the bottom for the large diameter follower. The lever latch is a period replacement. The walnut stock has the late profile with low comb, nearly flat bottom edge and small trap for the iron cleaning rod. The brass buttplate is the second pattern with sharp heel and cap-head screws. The late style buttplate screws and the tang screws are not serial numbered. The left side of the stock and barrel are fitted with the factory sling swivel and screw-fastened loop for a sling hook that were standard on later Henry rifles. With the exception of the early barrel and replacement lever latch, all
the components appear correct for a late production Henry rifle. The early barrel with additional serial number on the upper tang indicates the New Haven Arms Company utilized available early parts to complete the final
44 production Henry rifles. The straight grain walnut stock has a varnish finish.
CONDITION: Fine as assembled
from parts, most likely by the factory. With the
exception of the replacement lever latch, all of
the components appear to be original to the rifle.
The second (barrel) serial number on the upper
tang and later production, front sight, rear leaf sight
and magazine follower indicate the barrel is a 1862
component utilized by New Haven Arms to complete a
rifle. The barrel/magazine has a smooth plum blue patina
with sharp edges, crisp markings and traces of original blue
in protected areas. The brass receiver is in fine overall condition
with tight sideplate joints, minimal handling marks and deep untouched patina covered by
dried grease. The brass buttplate has a mellow patina with traces of gold-plated finish and a few
scattered handling marks. The case colors on the hammer, trigger and lever have aged to a mottled brown
patina with some spots of scattered surface discoloration. The walnut stock has been re-varnished and remains in very good condition with scattered, minor, handling marks. Mechanially fine. This is an interesting example of a late production Henry lever action rifle fitted with a 1862 barrel by the New Haven Arms Company.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500