Make: New Haven Arms Co.

Model: 1860 Henry

Serial Number: 4788

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1864

Caliber: .44 Henry Rimfire

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

Barrel Length: 24", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a square-back german silver blade in a collar screw-set to the barrel at the muzzle end. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight. The rear sight presents a "V"-notch when folded down. When folded up, the ladder has a "V"-notch slider and is graduated from 2-8 in 100s of yards. There is a notch at the top of the ladder marked "90". The slider is tight on the arm, but we were able to move it.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is smooth walnut with a sling swivel mounted to a plate on the left side below the comb, there is a sling mount on the left of the barrel assembly between the magazine and barrel. The swivel is tight, but can rotate and pivot properly on its stud. There is a Henry "bump" below the sling swivel. The buttplate is a brass crescent plate with a trapdoor over a storage compartment, nothing in the compartment. The top tang inlet, buttplate, and buttplate mounting screws are each marked "4788". The stock has scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are a few small losses around the tangs, most notable at the bottom-front corner on the left. There is wear around the sling swivel. The LOP measures 13 3/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear with some nicks. Overall, the stock is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue Barrel, Case Color Lever, Hammer & Trigger, Brass Receiver

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with generally well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 35% of its metal finish. The barrel assembly has mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina with scattered light surface erosion and some nicks and scratches. There is a little case color on the hammer, the lever and trigger have mostly gone to a moderate patina. The receiver has some light nicks, scuffs and scratches, there are a few light tool marks at the edges of the sideplates. The receiver has gone to a mustard patina with areas showing the crystalline appearance of old brass. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition as Antique.

Mechanics: 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. Sources aren’t clear about exactly when it began production, but by 1866 about 14,000 had 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. It 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 there were only a few Civil War battles where the Henry played a decisive role, one of which was the Battle of Franklin.

This rifle was made ca. 1864, during the Civil War. The serialized parts match with matching assembly numbers on the barrel and magazine sleeve. The rifle has surprisingly strong mechanics for such an old gun, with well defined firing pins and a surprisingly clean magazine tube. 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. Please see our photos and good luck!