Make: New Haven Arms Co.
Model: 1860 Henry
Serial Number: 7128
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 missing from its 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 ladder arm is slightly bent and the slider is frozen in place at approximately the 700 yard mark.
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 does not rotate and is broken through in the center of the loop. The buttplate is a brass crescent plate with a trapdoor over a storage compartment, there is nothing in the compartment. The stock has scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches, some finished-over. There is a tiny crack at the rear of the top tang. The hole for the buttplate's toe mounting screw is mostly stripped out. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered nicks and discoloration. Overall, the stock is in Good-plus condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue Barrel, Case Color Lever, Hammer and Trigger, Brass Receiver
Finish Originality: Original. The buttplate and sideplates are serial-matched to the barrel. We were not able to remove the stock or the barrel collar to inspect for additional markings. Some screws have been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn but visible. There is some moderate-heavy erosion and light-moderate pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 3/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. The firing pins have worn down on the face of the bolt. The barrel has mostly worn to white or gone to a light-moderate patina with scatered light surface erosion. The lever, hammer and trigger have mostly gone to a moderate-dark patina. The receiver has scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The receiver has scattered discoloration. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured and unable to turn. The markings range from worn, but legible to incomplete. Overall, this rifle is in Fair condition as Antique, see Mechanics.
Mechanics: The mainspring is notably weak, likely too weak for ignition. The worn firing pins will also likely prevent ignition. The magazine spring binds in the tube, preventing compression to be able to turn the collar to load the magazine. The hammer has 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. Of particular interest to collectors will be the “H” martial inspection marks on the left-rear of the barrel and left-front of the frame. The rifle is in the correct serial range to be one of 1,731 Henry rifles purchased for U.S. military issuance, though there is no visible cartouche on the refinished stock. The serialized parts we were able to examine match, but we were unable to remove the stock or the barrel collar to inspect for additional markings. The rifle shows its age and has some mechanical and condition issues typical of a working, or even combat rifle that is more than 160 years old. 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!
