Offered here is a desirable First Model Henry rifle that was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. in 1863 and attributed to a Civil War Ohio infantry regiment. Early features include the sight dovetail on the brass receiver and brass trapdoor buttplate with rounded heel. The barrel is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight graduated to 900 yards (elevation bar absent) and is stamped "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO. NEWHAVEN.CT." ahead of the rear sight and the serial number “1593” at the breech. Matching serial numbers appear on the barrel, left side of the lower tang, stock inlet, both buttplate screws and buttplate. The rifle is fitted with a sling hook loop and a sling swivel on the left side of the buttstock. A highly desirable original four piece hickory cleaning rod is included n the butt. 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. This Henry, however, is in well above average condition. Henry Rifles manufactured during the Civil War with any original finish are very rare. According to the consignor, this Henry Rifle was acquired by an antique dealer in central Ohio from the descendants of Union solider George S. Hamilton, Company G, 93rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The family story was that this Henry was sent to their home in Preble County after George Hamilton’s death at a Nashville, Tennessee, hospital on 19 August 1863. The online National Park Service Civil War soldiers and sailors database does confirm Private George S. Hamilton as serving with Company G, 93rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The 3 June 1864 issue of The Fremont Weekly Journal listed George Hamilton as a casualty with a wound to the thigh. He was not listed as killed in action. Civil War casualty newspaper reports were notoriously filled with outdated information as a death record for George Hamilton lists his death date as August 19, 1863 and his gravesite located in Preble County, Ohio. George S. Hamilton is without a doubt a confirmed Union private with the 93rd Ohio Infantry. The Henry rifle was especially popular with soldiers from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky who purchased many of the rifles from New Haven Arms Co. dealers located in Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio. It would therefore seem very probable that Hamilton got his hands on a Henry. The 93rd Ohio Infantry was organized at Dayton, Ohio, mustered in service in August 1862 under the command of Colonel Charles Anderson, and mustered out of service at Nashville, Tennessee, in June 1865. The 93rd Ohio participated in the Battle of Stones River, Tullahoma Campaign, Battle of Chickamauga, Siege of Chattanooga, Battle of Missionary Ridge, Atlanta Campaign, Battle of Resaca, Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Battle of Peachtree Creek, Siege of Atlanta, Battle of Jonesboro, Second Battle of Franklin, and Battle of Nashville. The regiment lost a total of 217 men during service. Interestingly, the Henry Rifle serialized one digit before this rifle, no. 1592, is reported as being issued to the 3rd Regiment U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry (see W. Sword's "The Historic Henry Rifle," page 75).

Fine. The barrel and magazine retain 40% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown-gray patina. The very fine brass has a highly attractive untouched dark aged appearance. The receiver side plates are tight fitting. The stock is also fine with minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A highly desirable, well above average condition Civil War New Haven Arms Co. First Model Henry Rifle with the added bonus of being attributed to a member of the 93rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. A must have for the serious Civil War or lever action collector!