This Henry rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company c. August 1863. This rifle is accompanied by a signed statement from a direct relative indicating that that the rifle was reportedly owned by John M. Lycan (1843-1910) of Paris, Illinois, and that Lycan carried the rifle in the Civil War as a Union soldier when he participated in General William T. Sherman's "March From Atlanta to the Sea" in late 1864. He served as a private in Company E of the 66th Illinois Infantry. The rifle is a mid-production Henry with first style receiver with alternate rear sight dove-tail and first style buttplate with rounded heel. The distinctive 24-inch octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine has nickel-silver flat-back front sight blade. A fixed rear sight is mounted in the barrel dove-tail and the original, folding leaf, rear sight is mounted in the receiver dove-tail. The rear sight has a 900 yard center notch, elevator bar with rounded ends and, properly, lacks an elevator bar stop screw. The magazine has the second style, large diameter, brass follower, and the receiver has the second style, beveled, follower cut. The hammer is hand-cut knurling on the spur and lacks a half-cock notch. The left side of the stock has a factory sling swivel and the left side of the barrel is fitted with a screw-fastened factory loop for a sling hook. The buttplate has a hinged trap door. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the first style legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO. NEWHAVEN. CT." in two lines ahead of the rear sight dove-tail. This legend has the distinctive combination of serif lettering with the final "NEWHAVEN" stamped in block letters. The serial number is stamped: (1) on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver, (2) on the lower left side of the receiver tang, (3) in the upper tang inlet of the stock, (4) on the inside of the buttplate toe and (5) on the shanks of both hand-fitted buttplate screws. All of the visible serial numbers match. The tang screws on Henry rifles in this serial number range are not serial numbered. The rifle originally had a blued barrel/magazine with color casehardened hammer, trigger and lever and brass receiver and crescent buttplate. The straight grain, American walnut stock is oil finished. Henry rifles were privately purchased in large numbers by federal soldiers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan regiments who wanted the firepower offered by the 15-shot lever action Henry rifle. Many soldiers who re-enlisted following their original three-year term of service in 1864 used their re-enlistment bonus to pay for the Henry rifles. This rifle is in the same serial number range as the 500 Henry rifles purchased by 7th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry in 1864.

Very good. This rifle remains in untouched "attic" condition. The period custom made fixed rear sight mounted on the barrel is period and the rear sight mounted in the receiver dove-tail is the correct style for a Henry rifle in this serial number range. The barrel/magazine has a dull brown patina with scattered surface discoloration but no pitting. The barrel edges are sharp and the New Haven Arms Co. legend and serial number are clear. The brass receiver and crescent buttplate remain in fine condition with an attractive, untouched aged patina. The side plate joints are not battered and the receiver has no significant handling marks or scratches. The buttplate has a few spots of age discoloration and is in very good overall condition. The hammer, trigger and lever have a mottled gray-brown patina. The lever has some spots of age discoloration on contact points. The walnut stock remains in very good overall condition with only light handling wear. Most of the original oil finish remains. This is a solid example of the most advanced rifle used in the Civil War. Innovative and historically significant, the Henry rifle is a key piece in any collection of Civil War militaria and an essential part of any comprehensive collection of Winchester firearms.