Make: New Haven Arms Co.

Model: 1860 Henry

Serial Number: 4659

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1864

Caliber: Originally chambered for .44 Henry Rimfire, the firing pin bushing has been replaced or altered, with pins for both rimfire and centerfire.

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.” (late-style marking) and at the receiver with “4659”. The left side of the lower tang is marked “4659”. The inside of the buttplate at the toe and the top tang inlet of the stock are each stamped "4659". The serial number is also marked on the buttplate mounting screws. In this serial range, the stock mounting screws were not numbered. The bottom tang does not have a legible inspection mark. The barrel and magazine block each have assembly number "416", the barrel collar does not have a legible assembly number.

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. 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 “900”. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth walnut with a straight wrist, straight comb, and brass crescent buttplate with a trapdoor cover on a storage compartment (4-piece cleaning rod in the compartment). There is no Henry “bump” on the left side under a sling-plate with swivel (there is another sling mount on the left of the barrel assembly). The stock has scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches, most finished-over. There are no external chips or cracks. Under the buttplate is a crack across the top mounting screw hole. There is some sanding visible under the finish, most notable at the right-rear edge. The wood is notably shy to the toe of the buttplate. The bottom buttplate mounting screw hole is stripped. The top stock mounting wood-screw hole is also stripped. The LOP measures 13 3/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has scattered nicks, dings and scratches, and has gone to a mustard patina. Overall, the stock is in Very Good condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: The steel parts are in the white. The receiver, carrier, and magazine follower are brass.

Finish Originality: The steel parts have been cleaned or polished to white. The brass features appear Original, but there is no legible inspector's marking, which may indicate polishing in the distant past.

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. The steel parts have been cleaned or polished to white, showing scattered light surface oxidation and some minor erosion. The receiver has gone to a mustard patina with some areas showing the crystalline appearance of old brass. There are scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches, most notable on the top and bottom edges of the right sideplate. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are generally clear; as noted, the bottom tang does not have a legible inspector's mark. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition as refinished Antique (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The trigger return spring is quite weak, possibly broken. The trigger sometimes must be pressed forward manually to catch the sear. The magazine spring tends to bind in the tube. The magazine block T-bar has worn its notch such that it will be cammed out of place by turning the block, rather than being pushed out by the follower for loading. 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, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a period 4-piece steel cleaning rod with a brass rammer.

Our Assessment: The Henry rifle was designed in 1860 and held 16 brass cartridges when topped off with one in the chamber. Sources aren’t clear about when it actually began production, but by 1866 it ceased production with about 13,000 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. 

This rifle was made in 1864 and shows wear consistent with its age. The numbered parts are matching. The rifle is in about Good overall condition as refinished Antique, having had the steel parts cleaned or polished to white in the past, the stock refinished, and a few mechanical issues. This is still an attractive example of a Civil War Era Henry that will display well in a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!