This is an example of a true factory engraved late production Henry rifle that was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., circa 1865-1866. True factory engraved Henry rifles are among the most rare and highly sought after collectable firearms and draw interest from a wide range of collectors. Factory engraving was a special order feature at the time as was the option for a plating, and deluxe wood, which is also featured on this rifle. The "pointer" scene is the less frequently encountered scene by Hoggson, more often encountered is the "running deer scene". The top and sides of the receiver, the top of the upper tang and the heel of the buttplate are decorated with factory scroll engraving on a punch-dot background. The large open scrollwork on the sides of the receiver and side plates is enclosed in panels with lines and scalloped borders. A finely detailed hound on point is engraved on the left side plate beneath a wreath of scrollwork. The engraving style is very similar to that on Henry rifle serial number "12173" illustrated on page 26 of "THE BOOK OF WINCHESTER ENGRAVING" by R.L. Wilson. The rifle has a blue 24 inch barrel with integral 15 shot magazine. The hammer and lever have a casehardened finish. The barrel has the second style rear sight with square-back, nickel-silver blade and dovetail mounted folding leaf rear sight. The second style brass receiver lacks the alternate rear sight dovetail found on Henry rifles below serial number 3,000. The brass buttplate has the second style pointed, tang. The left side of the stock is fitted with a factory sling swivel and the left side of the barrel has a screw fastened factory loop for a sling hook. The stock is highly figured fancy grain walnut with a high polish varnish finish. 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.". The legend is the late pattern which is slightly larger than the legend found on Henry rifles under serial number 4,000 and has all serifed letters. The serial number, "12637" is stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver, the left side of the lower receiver tang, upper tang inlet of the stock and the inside of the buttplate. All of the visible serial numbers match. The late style cap-head tang and buttplate screws are not stamped with the rifles serial number like the hand fitted screws on early-mid production Henry rifles. The "H" inspection mark of B. Tyler Henry is stamped on the lower receiver tang between the lever latch and the tang screw. An "F" is stamped on the left side of the upper tang beneath the stock.

Very good plus. Traces of blue finish remain on the barrel and integral magazine has aged to a smooth plum patina. The edges of the barrel are sharp and the New Haven Arms Co., legend and serial number are crisp. The folding leaf rear sight has had the edges of the broken leaf modified to create a v-aperture during the period of usage. The hammer and lever have a silver-gray patina. The brass receiver and buttplate are very fine having a mellow untouched patina. The side plate joints are tight. The lower buttplate screw is an old replacement. The correct matching deluxe grade stock has been re-varnished and has a high-polish 'piano' finish. This is a fine example of a scarce factory engraved Henry rifle with deluxe fancy grain walnut stock.