Henry lever action rifle manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., in 1863. The rifle has the early pattern brass receiver with alternate rear sight dove-tail and early style brass buttplate with round-profile heel. The rifle has a blued, octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine. The straight grain walnut stock has a varnish finish. The barrel has a flat-back, nickel-silver, front sight blade. The original folding leaf rear sight has been removed and a blank is fitted in the dovetail. A second sight dovetail has been added to the barrel approximately four-inches ahead of the receiver and fitted with a sporting style rear sight. The sporting style sight is a period installation but not a factory modification. The left side of the stock has a factory sling swivel and the left side of the barrel has a factory loop for a sling hook. The two-line, New Haven Arms Co., legend is almost completely covered by the rear sight. The serial number, "2902" is stamped on the top of the barrel between the original rear sight dovetail and the receiver. The serial number is stamped on the inside of the buttplate, on the shank of both of the buttplate screws, the left side of the lower receiver tang and in the upper tang inlet of the stock. All of the visible serial numbers match. An "H" factory inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the lower tang behind the serial number. The Henry rifle was the most advanced repeating rifle manufactured during the Civil War. A large percentage of the Henry rifles manufactured between 1862 and 1865 were purchased by Federal soldiers as personal weapons. The Henry rifle was especially popular in Federal regiments from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan. Henry rifles were widely used during the 1864 Atlanta Campaign and on Sherman's March through Georgia.

Good. The rifle barrel has an additional rear sight dove-tail and sporting rear sight that were probably installed at that time. The barrel has a dark brown patina with the remains of what appears to be fire damage in the central area. The edges of the barrel show handling wear and the barrel has scattered, minor dents and scratches. The brass frame is in fine condition with minor, scattered handling marks. The brass has a mellow patina. The side plate joints are tight and there is no indication that the side plates have ever been removed from the receiver. The hammer and loading lever have a dark patina. There is light pitting on the bottom of the loading lever. The rear upper tang screw is a replacement. The brass buttplate is in the same good condition as the receiver. The stock has been re-varnished long ago but remains in very good overall condition and shows moderate handling wear. This is a solid example of a Civil War Henry lever action rifle.