This is an exceptionally rare example of a Henry Rifle that was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company for the Kingdom of Bavaria in late 1864 or early 1865 as part of a 500-rifle contract. At present, less than ten examples are known with eight verified which are numbers 71, 181, 212, 217, 300, 325 (this example), 331, and 471. The Bavarian Contract Henry Rifles were the first attempt by Oliver Winchester to improve the magazine and loading gate on the Henry rifle. These components were considered to be the Henry's primary weak points as a military weapon; the magazine slot was easily fouled by dirt, the light-weight magazine tube was easily dented and the loading gate at the end of the barrel was delicate and susceptible to rusting in place. The Bavarian Contract Rifles utilized a heavier magazine tube with a sliding loading gate 6 1/2 inches below the end of the magazine tube. These rifles featured a 27 1/2 inch round barrel with an iron block mounted front sight and a Henry style folding leaf rear sight dovetail mounted on an iron block just ahead of the receiver. The left side of the barrel had two iron tubes for a cleaning rod and the left side of the receiver was slightly flared and threaded to retain the cleaning rod. A sling swivel was fitted to the right side of the stock and a block-mounted iron loop for a sling hook was located on the right side of the barrel/magazine 12 inches below the muzzle. The Bavarian contract rifles retained the distinctive Henry brass receiver and buttplate. The brass buttplate has the round heel found on early Henry rifles but lacks the hinged butt trap. The hammer, lever and stock were the same as standard Henry rifles. The barrel lacks the two-line New Haven Arms Co. address found on Henry Rifles. The serial number, "325", is located on: (1) the left side of the barrel below the rear sight, (2) face of the brass magazine follower, (3) left side of the loading gate, (4) inside of the loading lever, (5) side of the lever latch and (6) bottom of the buttplate. The partial serial number "25" is visible on the heads of the rear upper tang screw, both buttplate screws and one sling swivel screw. The other screws appear original but the markings are obscured by pitting. The stock was not removed to check for serial numbers on the receiver and stock. Two "Crown/L" Bavarian proofmarks are stamped on the right side of the receiver at the junction with the barrel. The initials "L.H." are stamped on the left side of the barrel below the serial number. A "Crown/L" proof is stamped on the left side of the hammer. The Bavarian contract Henry rifles are extremely rare and represent an important step in the evolution of the Henry rifle to the Winchester Model 1866 rifle. All of the aforementioned information was found in the excellent book by Herbert Houze, "Winchester Repeating Arms Company" on pages 18-28. The book is included with the lot.

Very good. This rifle is in the original configuration with moderate service wear. The barrel and integral magazine have an even, deep brown, patina with traces of light pitting and surface corrosion. The front and rear sights are original to the rifle. The serial numbers and proofmarks on the barrel are light but legible. The hammer, trigger and lever have a deep brown patina with scattered light pitting with light but legible serial numbers and proofmarks. The brass receiver and buttplate remain in fair to good condition with an untouched patina. The receiver side plate joints are tight. The receiver and buttplate have numerous minor dents and scratches with scattered spots of age discoloration. The walnut stock is in fair condition with a hairline crack on the right wrist, several chips on either side of the tang and at the buttplate heel and numerous dents and handling marks. The sling swivel has a dark patina and the base and screws are pitted. This is a solid and complete example of an extremely rare and historically significant variation of the Henry rifle.