Offered here is a desirable First Model Henry rifle as manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. in 1862. Early features include the sight dovetail (empty) on the brass receiver and brass trapdoor buttplate with rounded heel. The barrel features a German silver blade front sight, a folding ladder rear sight graduated to 900 yards, and the "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO. NEWHAVEN.CT." legend (faint). There are no provisions for a lever catch, sling hook loop, or a buttstock sling swivel. The receiver and buttplate are plated in nickel. The early three digit serial number "307" is found on the barrel, left side of the lower tang, all three tang screws, both buttplate screws, and buttplate. Includes a desirable original four piece hickory cleaning rod. Experts believe that most of the 7,500 Henry rifles manufactured between April 1862 and January 1865 were purchased for use in the Civil War and saw some military service. Aside from 900 rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in 1863-1864 to arm the 1st D.C. Cavalry Regiment, nearly all Henry rifles used in the Civil War were privately purchased by soldiers who wanted to have the most advanced firearm available and take advantage of the sustained firepower of a 15-shot magazine rifle. As a result, the great majority of the Henry rifles under serial number 7,500 show moderate to heavy wear. Henry rifles manufactured during the Civil War with any original finish are very rare.