Make: New Haven Arms Co.

Model: 1860 Henry

Serial Number: 1192

Year of Manufacture: 1862 (“The Henry Rifle” by Les Quick, pg. 131)

Caliber: .44 Henry Rimfire

Action Type: Lever Action with Slotted Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “HENRY’S PATENT OCT. 16, 1860 / MANUFACT’D BY THE NEW HAVEN ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CT.” and at the receiver with “1192”. The left side of the lower tang is marked “1192”, found again stamped on the inside of the buttplate at the toe and the top tang inlet of the stock. The bottom stock screw is marked "1192". Both top tang stock screws are marked "1192". Both buttplate attaching screws are marked "1192". This is an all matching rifle. There is a punch dot inspection mark on the extreme end of the lower tang.

Barrel Length: 24″ Nominal, 24 1/4″ Measured. The barrel is octagonal, round at the muzzle-end where the magazine sleeve is installed.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade which tapers downward toward the muzzle from a high square back, in a collar screw-set to the barrel at the muzzle end. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style (3rd variation) sight. The rear sight presents a “V”-notch when folded down. The ladder is graduated from 2-8. The slide is removed. There is a notch at the top of the ladder marked “900”. There is a rear sight dovetail in the frame as well. The frame dovetail was discontinued around serial number 31XX.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is smooth walnut with an early style abrupt angle in the straight comb and a "perch" belly. The buttplate is a second style brass crescent plate with a sharp point at the heel and a trapdoor over a storage compartment (there is nothing in the compartment).There is a Henry “bump” on the left side of the buttstock but it is worn. The stock has some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear with scattered light nicks and some spots of discoloration. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: The barrel is blued. The lever, hammer and trigger are case colored and the receiver, carrier and magazine follower are brass.

Finish Originality: Original.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The rifling is well-defined to sharp. There is light-moderate erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 45% of its metal finish. The barrel assembly has a generally strong blue finish with some areas taking to a uniform patina with scattered light corrosion concentrated at the muzzle end. The case color is generally muted with a dark even patina. There are scattered handling marks. The receiver has scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is light tarnishing on the brass. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The barrel sleeve has some typical play to the barrel. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The hammer does not have a half-cock safety. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Henry rifle was designed in 1860 and held 16 brass cartridges in its magazine. Sources aren’t clear about when it actually began production, but by 1866 it ceased production with about 14,000 having been manufactured. At that time, New Haven Arms became Winchester Repeating Arms Company and the Henry evolved into the M1866 Winchester. A few thousand Henry Rifles were purchased by the Union during the Civil War and many more were privately purchased by Union soldiers. The rifle quickly became known as the “rifle that you could load on Sunday and shoot all week long”. We can’t imagine what it must have been like for the Confederate troops to have faced these rapid firing rifles armed with only their muzzleloaders, but because the Henry wasn’t purchased in large numbers by the Union, there were only a few Civil War battles where the Henry played a decisive role, one of which was the Battle of Franklin. Unfortunately for Custer and his Springfield Trapdoor armed troops, a few Henry rifles also fell into the possession of the Sioux and Cheyenne troops at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876.

This rifle was made in 1862 toward the beginning of the Civil War. The serialized parts including the stock and buttplate screws match. The rifle has surprisingly strong mechanics for such an old gun, though the barrel sleeve is slightly loose and rotates a little bit, stopped by the magazine spring. Overall, this rifle shows honest wear considering its age and likely uses. Any Henry will make a great addition to a collection of lever action rifles, Winchesters, or early repeating cartridge firearms, and we’re sure this one will be no exception.