The Henry lever action rifle is among the most famous and desirable of all of the historic American lever action rifles as the predecessor to the famous Winchester lever action rifles and one of the most advanced firearms of the American Civil War. Of the Henry variants, the distinctive iron frame Henry rifles are the rarest and most desirable, and this extraordinary rifle is one of the finest original iron frame Henry rifles known today. It is certainly among the rarest and most desirable of all antique American firearms. Only an estimated 200-300 Henry rifles with iron frames were manufactured by New Haven Arms Co. before the company discontinued them in favor of the "brass" gunmetal frames, and less than 100 of these rifle are reportedly known today. These iron framed rifles were manufactured during the first three months of production (April-June 1862), and the known serial numbers of the identified iron frame Henry rifles range from 1-393. Collectors have also identified seventy-seven brass frame Henry rifles in this same serial number range and sixteen brass and iron frame Henry rifles with duplicate serial numbers. This rifle is listed by serial number as a known surviving iron frame Henry on page 54 of Les Quick's book "The Story of Benjamin Tyler Henry and His Famed Repeating Rifle." No corresponding brass frame rifle is noted. It is also featured on pages 30-31 where it is noted as "An early iron frame Henry rifle, serial number '90,' in excellent condition and retaining most of its original barrel finish. Tommy Rholes collection." The serial number is also shown in the list of known iron frames on page 85 of "The Historic Henry Rifle" by Wiley Sword. Experts believe that most Henry rifles manufactured before 1865 saw military service. Although the Federal government purchased only slightly more than 1,700 Henry rifles between 1862 and 1865, individual soldiers were quick to recognize the firepower offered by a 15-shot repeating rifle. Most Henry rifles were privately purchased by Federal soldiers from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Kentucky regiments. Many of the early iron frame Henry rifles were shipped to New Haven Arms Co. dealers in Louisville, Kentucky, and a few iron frame Henry rifles were obtained by Confederate soldiers. Given the extensive use of Henry rifles broadly during the Civil War and in the latter part of the 19th century, the high condition of this rifle is particularly remarkable. It appears to have seen no use and instead was clearly very carefully looked after for more than 160 years. This rifle displays the distinctive features found on the earliest Henry rifles: both the barrel and the receiver have rear sight dovetails. The folding leaf rear sight mounted in the barrel dovetail is the first variation with the "1000" yard marking below the center notch, elevation bar with rounded ends, and small "V" notch. The nickel silver blade front sight is the first pattern half moon style. The magazine has the early style small brass cartridge follower, and the receiver has the early straight follower cut. In addition to the rear sight dovetail, the upper rear portion of the receiver has the slight bevel in front of the hammer found on early rifles. The loading lever is the first style with no spur, and the lower receiver tang lacks the lever latch added around serial number 400. The iron buttplate is the first style with rounded heel. The rifle is not equipped with a sling swivel on the left side of the stock or a sling hook loop on the left side of the barrel. These were special order items on early production rifles. The top of the barrel is roll stamped with the two-line legend "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16.1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN. CT." ahead of the rear sight. The serial number "90" is stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the frame. The rifle was not disassembled to examine the serial numbers on the tang screws, lower tang, stock, buttplate screws and buttplate, but these almost certainly have matching serial numbers as was standard on the early rifles. The buttplate and tang screws are indexed. The 24 3/8 inch octagon barrel, integral magazine, iron frame, breech bolt, lever, and iron buttplate all have a high polish blue finish. The trigger and hammer are color casehardened. The straight grain walnut stock has a high polish piano varnish finish. The buttstock contains the four-piece wood cleaning rod which has a carved worm on one end.

Exceptionally fine overall. The few surviving Henry rifles in collections today rarely retain more than trace amounts of the original blue finish, especially on the distinctive iron frames, but this rifle displays 80% plus bright original high polish blue finish on the barrel and magazine along with generous patches of original blue on the frame. The balance of the frame has flaked to a smooth brown patina. The lever also retains traces of original blue and smooth patina, and the buttplate displays the same attractive patina as the frame. Smaller components such as the bolt and trigger spring retain nearly all of their bright original blue finish, and the hammer and trigger retain visible case colors. The follower and elevator display attractive aged patina. Wear overall is essentially limited to very minor age and storage marks and the flaking of the finish typical of blued frame firearms from the Civil War. The rifle does not appear to have seen any use. The stock is very fine and retains nearly all of the original piano varnish and has some scratches and dings concentrated on the left side. This extraordinary rifle remains mechanically excellent and has crisp markings. It is truly one of the finest iron frames Henry lever action rifles extant, and this variation is already the rarest and most desirable of the Henry rifles.