This is a fine example of an original Henry lever action rifle manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. late in the Civil War. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the second style legend "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT.16.1860/MANUFACT'D. BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN.CT." with all serifed letters. The serial number is stamped on the top barrel flat at the breech and on the inside of the buttplate (the stock has not been removed to examine the serial number on the stock and receiver tang). The rifle has the distinctive brass receiver and 24 inch octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine. The barrel has a nickel-silver square back front sight and a folding adjustable rear sight with 900 yard center notch and a stop screw for the elevation bar. The inspection mark "H" for B. Tyler Henry is stamped on the lower receiver tang. The barrel and magazine are blue, the hammer and loading lever are color casehardened, and the straight grain black walnut stock has an oil finish. The buttplate is the second style with sharply pointed heel. The buttplate has the hinged trapdoor and the butt trap which contains a four-piece jointed steel cleaning rod. The buttplate screws are the late style cap screws which are not correctly stamped with the rifle serial number. The left side of the stock has a factory sling swivel, and the left side of the barrel has a factory screw fastened loop for a sling hook. The Henry rifle was the most advanced firearm of the American Civil War, and most of the New Haven Arms Co. rifle production were purchased by individual Federal soldiers who wanted the advantage of a 15-shot repeating rifle. After the Civil War the Henry rifle was extremely popular with frontiersmen and Native Americans. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

Fine. The barrel and magazine have a very attractive plum-brown patina and retain 40% of the original blue finish concentrated in protected areas. The surfaces of the barrel and magazine are smooth and the barrel edges are sharp. The barrel legend and serial number are crisp. The rear sight is very fine with sharp markings and 30% of the nitre-blue finish remaining. The receiver is exceptionally fine with a mellow untouched patina acquired only with age. The receiver side plate joints are untouched. The buttplate has the same untouched patina as the receiver but has a few minor age spots and handling marks. The case colors on the hammer and lever have aged to a mottled dove gray patina. The stock is very fine with most of the original finish remaining and wear is limited to some scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. This is an exceptional example a Civil War era Henry lever action rifle.