This Henry lever action rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company in October 1862; the seventh month of production. Oliver Winchester stated in November 1863: "We intend to make globe and telescopic sights for our rifles". Henry rifles fitted with telescopic sights are limited and experts have not identified any Henry rifles with telescopic sights mounted by the New Haven Arms Company. This rifle features a 32-inch, telescopic sight with silver plate engraved ; "Wm MALCOLM/ -& Co.-/SYRACUSE/...N.Y..." on the tube. The drawn steel scope tube is blued and has a adjustable nickel silver eyepiece. The early style rear sight mount fits in the receiver scope dovetail and the adjustable front mount is fitted to the front sight dovetail. William Malcolm began manufacturing telescopic sights in 1855 and by the time of the Civil War Malcolm telescopic sights were considered to be the best telescopic sights available. Most Malcolm sights were mounted on heavy barrel single shot target rifles. Some of these heavy barrel target rifles were utilized as sniper rifles during the Civil War. The telescopic sight and early style mounts on this rifle are contemporary with the rifle but are not a factory mounting. This rifle has the early Henry features which include: (1) first style brass receiver with rear sight dovetail, (2) straight follower cut in the receiver bottom, (3) brass buttplate with rounded heel, (4) hand-fitted, serial numbered tang and buttplate screws and (5) small, first style, New Haven Arms Company legend. The rifle lacks a sling swivel and loop for sling hook which were extra cost features on early Henry rifles. The rear sight dove-tail on the barrel is filled with a blank and a fixed buck-horn rear sight is mounted in a new dovetail cut through the New Haven legend. The magazine T-bar spring and follower are replacements. The bolt has been altered for a centerfire cartridge. The serial number is stamped in small numerals on the top barrel flat behind the original rear sight dovetail and on the left side of the lower receiver tang, inside of the upper stock dovetail, inside of the buttplate heel, on the shanks of the buttplate screws and on the shanks of the upper tang screws. All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel and integral 15-shot magazine originally had a blue finish. The hammer, lever and trigger are color casehardened. The hammer has a hand knurled spur. The straight grain American walnut stock is oil finished.

Good. The barrel/magazine has are dark brown overall with sharp edges and scattered handling marks overall. The barrel legend is sharp but has been partly obliterated by the replacement rear sight dovetail. The T-bar spring and magazine follower are post Civil War replacements. The brass receiver is good overall with scattered handling wear. The sideplates have some light edge marks but the joints are tight. The lever and trigger have a smooth brown patina. The hammer is a mottled silvered out casehardened finish overall. The stock is also good with light-moderate handling wear. The brass receiver and buttplate have an attractive untouched patina. Mechanically fine. The Malcolm scope is in good condition and the tube retains half of the original bright blue finish. The front and rear mount are in good condition. The optics are not functional. This is a unique example of an early production Henry rifle with period Malcolm telescopic sight and mounts.