This Henry lever action rifle was manufactured in 1867 after the New Haven Arms Company name was changed to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in May 1866. Serial number 12850 is generally considered to be the highest Henry rifle serial number although Henry rifles with serial numbers in the 14000 range have been reported. This rifle has the distinctive Henry brass receiver and buttplate and blued 24 inch octagon barrel and integral 15-shot magazine. The hammer, trigger and lever are casehardened. The stock is straight grain American walnut. The rifle has the late production features which include: straight back, nickel silver front sight blade; folding leaf rear sight with elevator bar stop screw and 900 yard center notch; large, brass magazine follower; beveled magazine follower cut in the receiver; second style buttplate with sharply pointed heel and second style receiver without a rear sight dovetail. The left side of the stock is fitted with a sling swivel, and the left side of the barrel has a screw-fastened loop for a sling hook. The sling swivel and loop were standard features on late production Henry rifles. The buttplate has a hinged brass trapdoor, and the butt trap contains the jointed steel cleaning rod furnished with late production Henry rifles. The cleaning rod is missing the fourth section with the brass tip. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the second style New Haven Arms Co. legend introduced about serial number 4000. This legend; "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEW HAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN. CT.", is located ahead of the rear sight and is larger than the legend found on early Henry rifle barrel and has all serif letters. The top of the barrel is also stamped with the serial number "12768" between the rear sight and the receiver. The serial number "12768" was also stamped on the inside of the buttplate. The stock was not removed to view the serial numbers stamped on the left side of the lower tang and in the upper tang inlet of the stock. Buttplate and stock screws on late production Henry rifles are not serial numbered. The small "W" inspection mark used by Oliver Winchester is stamped on the lower tang behind the lever latch.

Fine. This rifle is all original and retains 30% of the blue finish which is mostly contained in the protected areas on the barrel/magazine. The balance of the barrel/magazine has a dark brown patina that shows minimal handling wear. The barrel edges are sharp, and the legend and serial number are crisp. The rear sight is complete and original to the rifle. The brass receiver and buttplate have a deep and very attractive patina that can only be acquired over time. The brass components shows no indication of ever been polished. The receiver is also in fine condition with tight side plate joints; wear is limited to a few very minor scratches and handling marks. The buttplate is slightly lifted on top and is in the same condition as the receiver and shows only very light handling wear. The hammer, trigger and lever have an even, plum-brown patina. The stock is in very fine, untouched condition with a few scattered handling and storage marks. This is a great example of an untouched, completely original Henry rifle that apparently saw very little use. This is one of the highest serial number Henry rifle ever offered by the Rock Island Auction Company.