Henry Lever Action Rifle manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company in September 1862. This rifle has the early production features which include: (1) nickel silver, 'half-moon' profile front sight blade, (2) first style folding leaf rear sight with rounded top, (3) first style receiver with rear sight dove-tail, (4) small diameter cartridge follower, (5) straight follower cut in receiver, (6) first style buttplate with rounded heel and (7) hand fitted buttplate and tang screws with the rifle serial number stamped on the shank. The barrel is roll-stamped with the early style legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860 / MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS. CO. NEWHAVEN. CT" . The serial number, "867" is stamped: (1) on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver, (2) on the left side of the lower tang , (3) in the upper tang inlet of the stock, (4) on the inside of the buttplate heel and (5) on the shanks of the buttplate and tang screws. The rifle is fitted with a sling swivel and screw-mounted loop for a sling hook which were special order items on early Henry rifles. This rifle has the sling swivel and loop on the right side of the stock and barrel rather than the left side which was usual for Henry rifles. The straight grain American walnut stock has a polished varnish finish. The American style mahogany case has eleven compartments which include three compartments for 50-round cartridge boxes and is lined with crimson velvet. The lining has a strong impression of the Henry rifle. The case has a key lock with latch hooks at either end. The case is complete with a sealed Remington UMC carton of 50 .44 Henry (Flat) cartridges with green picture label and a key. Cased Henry rifles are extremely rare; this is one of the few examples ever offered for sale.

Very fine. The rifle retains about 30% of the strong original blue finish with a balance and even mottled plum patina The barrel edges are sharp and the factory legend and serial number are crisp. Wear is limited to some minor scratches and light handling marks. The bore is bright and in exceptional condition for a Henry rifle. The brass receiver and buttplate are both excellent. The side plate joints are tight. Wear is limited to a few very minor scratches and handling marks. The buttplate and tang screws have most of the original blue finish and are in very fine condition. The case colors on the hammer, trigger and lever have muted with age but remain vibrant in flashes. The walnut stock retains most of the original varnish finish and is in very good overall condition with moderate handling wear. The case is in good overall condition. The velvet lining is faded and has some stains and compression marks but remains in good overall condition. The cartridge carton is sealed and is in very fine condition. Experts believe that most Henry rifles were privately purchased by individual Federal soldiers and saw service in the Civil War. Early production rifles like this example are rarely encountered in fine or better condition. This is an outstanding example of an early production Henry rifle that may be one of the few period cased, regular production, Henry rifles extant.