New Haven Arms Co. Model 1860 .44 Henry Rimfire Lever Rifle, 1864 Antique
Sold for $22,757.00
The Henry rifle was designed in 1860 and held 16 brass cartridges in its magazine. Sources aren’t clear about when it actually began production, but by 1866 it ceased production with about 14,000 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. Unfortunately for Custer and his Springfield Trapdoor armed troops, a few Henry rifles also fell into the possession of the Sioux and Cheyenne troops at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876.
This rifle was made in 1864, toward the end of the Civil War. The serialized parts match, however there is no visible serial marking on the stock. It is not clear if this indicates that the stock has been refinished or replaced, though its fit to the metal is quite good. The magazine spring doesn’t compress properly to allow for loading of the rifle, not altogether uncommon for a rifle closing on 160 years old with an exposed magazine tube. Overall, this rifle shows honest wear considering its age and likely uses. 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