Make: New Haven Arms Co.

Model: 1860 Henry

Serial Number: 8010.

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1865

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 “8010.”. The left side of the lower tang is marked “8010”, found again stamped on the inside of the buttplate at the toe and the top tang inlet of the stock. The magazine sleeve and the barrel under the sleeve each have assembly number "718".

Barrel Length: 24?, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a contoured brass blade in a collar screw-set to the barrel at the muzzle end. The blade is likely a period replacement. 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”.

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 rotates easily on its mounting plate and pivots 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 (there is nothing in the compartment). The stock has scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a thin crack at the rear of the top tang. There is a defined circle of 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 scattered light nicks and has the crystalline appearance of old brass. 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

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is some scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 35% of its metal finish. There is some blue along the grooves between the barrel and magazine, mostly around the sling mount and the sleeve limiting screw on the right. Otherwise, the barrel assembly has mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina with scattered minor surface erosion and some nicks and scratches. The receiver has some nicks, scuffs and scratches, there are some light tool marks at the top edges of the sideplates. The receiver has 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 range from clear to worn, but legible. 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. 1865, either right at the end of or shortly after 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 and the bore is in equally good condition given its age. 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!