OD - VERY GOOD- all original parts; none to 30% original finish; original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; clear lettering, numerals and design on metal; wood slightly scratched or bruised.

WW - WOOD IS WORSE FOR THE PERCENT FINISH RATING GIVEN

Manufactured in 1863. Only around 14,000 Henry's were manufactured in 1860-1866, and around half of them are believed to have been used by Union soldiers, mostly purchased by the men themselves, some using reenlistment bonuses. "That damned Yankee rifle that can be loaded on Sunday and fired all week" was one of the most advanced firearms of the war. This example is not martially inspected, however, it bears an inscription to the Union soldier that carried it. The right sideplate is lightly inscribed "W.R. Minor/Co. D. 57th Indn". The National Parks Service Civil War soldier database lists a private William R. Minor in company D of the 57th Indiana Infantry. The top flat of the barrel has the two-line Henry's patent and New Haven address. The matching serial number is marked on the top flat of the barrel, left side of the lower tang, stock inlet, inside the buttplate, and on both of the buttplate screws. It is fitted with an iron blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight with 900 yard center notch. The sling swivel on the left of the barrel is absent and the left of the refinished stock retains its sling swivel and has the early "rounded heel" buttplate. The rifle has an old coat of varnish applied overall, and the mainspring feels slightly weak. Many of these Henry rifles saw hard use on the Western frontier after the Civil War, and they remain desirable in almost any condition, particularly with inscriptions to the soldiers that carried them during the war.