Manufactured in March of 1864, this outstanding Civil War era production New Haven Arms Company Henry rifle is, without question, one of the finest known in existence. 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, one of the most advanced firearms of the American Civil War, as well as a legendary icon of the American Frontier. Many of these advanced rifles were purchased by the federal government for use during the Civil War, and many more were also privately purchased by veterans using their reenlistment bonuses. Though they were more complex and fragile than the standard issue rifle-muskets of the day, soldiers of the day were eager to get their hands on the unprecedented rapid firepower the Henry brought to bear. Many of the Henrys that saw Civil War use, as well as many of those that didn't, later made their way farther west, playing a role in the taming of America's Frontier. In the wilds of the west, these rifles could be found in the hands of pioneers, Native Americans, outlaws, lawmen, and anyone else that valued the quick repeating shots the Henry had to offer. More often than not, these rifles saw hard use on the battlefield or the frontier and carry the wear and scars to prove it, leaving virtually none in the incredible condition that we find this example to be in. This specific rifle, serial number 4336, is certainly near the very pinnacle of Henry collecting, and would easily become of the crown jewel of even the most extensive lever action, frontier, or American firearms collections! This 1864 production Henry has the early style frame which shows an abrupt angle and only a slight edge bevel on the upper rear, which was standard until approximately the 4900 serial number range. The lever is of the second style with a spur that engages the lever latch screw, which entered production in the early 400 serial number range and continued until the end of production. The hammer has the correct course, hand-filed checkering. The frame correctly lacks a rear sight dovetail slot, a feature that was discontinued around the 3100 serial number range. The magazine follower is the correct, larger, second style and the frame has the correct milled flats in the receiver slot. The barrel has the correct, two-line, larger style Henry's patent and New Haven address marking, which appeared in the 3000 serial number range. The rear sight dovetail is just in front of the second style, larger-digit serial number, which is at the breech. The matching serial number is marked on the barrel, left side of the lower tang, in the stock inlet, inside the buttplate, and on the shank of both buttplate screws. The buttplate screws are hand-fitted to the contour of the buttplate and thus are correctly numbered, while the tang screws are not hand-fitted and correctly lack numbers, a transition variation which is seen in approximately the 3000-5600 serial number range. It is fitted the correct, square-backed, German silver blade front sight and correct folding ladder rear sight graduated to 900 yards. There are sling swivels mounted on the left of the barrel and left of the stock. It is correctly mounted with the last style buttstock, which entered production around the 3200 serial number range and has the gently sloping comb and flat bottom, as well as being fitted with the earlier style trapdoor buttplate with the rounded heel that was standard until around the 5100 serial number range.

Excellent, retaining an incredible 90% plus of the original blue finish on the barrel/magazine tube, with some faint grey patina showing through in a few areas. The lever retains 60% of the original blue finish, with any original blue being almost unheard of on a Henry. 80% of the muted original case colors remain, most visible on the sides of the hammer. The bright brass shows an attractively aged patina, some faint darker patina in grooves and sheltered areas, and the edges remaining crisp and the sideplate junctions tight. The re-oiled stock is exceptionally fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. This is an outstanding example of a Civil War era production Henry rifle, which could easily become the centerpiece of even the most extensive collections of lever actions or antique American arms!