Make: New Haven Arms Co.
 

Model: 1860 Henry
 

Serial Number: 87
 

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1860-62
 

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." (early small-style marking) and at the receiver with "87". The left side of the lower tang is marked "87", found again stamped on the inside of the buttplate at the heel and the top tang inlet of the stock. The three stock mounting screws, the buttplate mounting screws, and the interior of the buttplate are each marked "87". The round portion of the barrel and the rear face of the magazine sleeve are each marked with assembly number "55".

Barrel Length: 24" Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a German silver blade in a collar screw-set to the barrel at the muzzle end. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The rear sight presents a "V"-notch when folded down with a "V"-notch slider and a fixed "V"-notch at the top of the ladder. The rear sight detent is missing. There is a dovetail on the top of the receiver behind the ejection port.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth walnut with an early-style sharp comb, early-style iron buttplate with trapdoor, and a straight wrist. The wood appears to have seen some cleaning and possibly minimal sanding, and there’s no Henry "bump" present on the left of the stock. There are some nicks, and there is some scattered discoloration. There are a couple of tiny losses at the edges of the wrist. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has gone to a light patina with scattered surface oxidation. Overall, the stock is in Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: The barrel and receiver are blued. The lever, hammer, and trigger are case hardened.

Finish Originality: The barrel's finish appears original. The repair of the top tang indicates that the receiver has been refinished. We suspect that the bolt has been refinished or replaced.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates a 5 or 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 0% of its metal finish. The surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform light patina with some areas worn to white. There is scattered light surface oxidation and infrequent surface erosion. The top tang has a repaired break across the front mounting screw hole. The rear stock mounting screw (machine screw) is stripped and will turn freely in the threads on the bottom tang. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good to Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A four-piece hickory cleaning rod is included, stored in the buttstock.

Our Assessment: There’s some mystery surrounding the early production of Henry rifles, with sources indicating that production started in either 1860 or 1862. The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle, as Henrys were tested by the Ordnance Department alongside the Spencer in late 1861. What is known is that, for some reason, early production consisted of rifles with frames made out of gunmetal (brass) as well as some with iron frames. Thanks to a survey by Les Quick for his book "The Story of Benjamin Tyler Henry and His Famed Repeating Rifle", it’s known that the serial numbers of the iron frame rifles were frequently duplicated in the brass frame guns, leading to speculation that there were actually two different production lines, and possibly even two different facilities. The highest known iron frame serial number is 355, making it likely that as few as 400 were produced before the iron frame was abandoned and all production went to brass frames. For perspective, there were about 14,000 total Henry rifles made until production ceased in 1866. Thus while all surviving Henry rifles are scarce and desirable, the iron frame guns are even more collectible. This example is serial number 87, and displays a number of early features. Most notably, early Henry rifles had serial numbers marked on their barrel, receiver tang, buttplate, buttstock, and the various stock mounting screws, and all of the serial numbers match on this rifle. The assembly numbers on the barrel and magazine sleeve are also matching. Additionally, the lever is the early style without locking latch, the buttstock has an early sharp comb, and the buttplate is of the early style. Lastly, this example doesn’t have any provision for mounting a sling, also typical of the earliest Henrys. Henry repeating rifles were highly prized by Union troops in the Civil War, and usually acquired by regiments with their own funds or even by individual soldiers. With a round in the chamber, a Henry was capable of firing 16 shots in about 11 seconds, just about the same amount of time it would take even a seasoned “Billy Yank” to reload and fire one shot with his standard muzzleloading Springfield. The Henry quickly proved devastatingly effective, and earned a fearsome reputation during the “War Between the States”. One period advertisement read, “A resolute man, armed with one of these Rifles, particularly on horseback, CANNOT BE CAPTURED.” This Iron Frame Henry is a fantastic find for collectors. Any Model 1860 would make a great addition to a collection of lever action rifles, Winchesters, or early repeating cartridge firearms, but such an early Iron Frame Henry is going to take a prized place in even the most advanced collections.