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This First Model Henry Rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., in 1862. This particular rifle, serial number, 429, has the correct folding leaf rear sight mounted in the receiver dove-tail and lacks the alternative barrel rear sight dove-tail found on later production rifles. The brass butt plate has the early rounded profile heel. The barrel is fitted with a German silver, crescent shaped, front sight. The rear sight has a 1000 yard center notch on the top of the leaf. The loading lever has a spur to engage the loading lever latch on the lower tang. The rifle is not fitted with the optional sling swivel on the left side of the stock and sling loop on the left side of the barrel. The walnut stock has a varnish finish. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT.16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS. CO. NEWHAVEN. CT". The legend uses the smaller characters found on early-mid production rifles. The serial number, "429", is stamped on the top barrel flat just in front of the receiver, on the inside of the buttplate, on the shanks of both buttplate screws, the left side of the lower tang, in the upper stock tang inlet and on the shanks of all three tang screws. All of the visible serial numbers match. The rifle is complete with a four-piece jointed steel cleaning rod with brass tip. Experts believe that most Henry Rifles manufactured before 1865 saw Civil War service. The Ordnance Department purchased about 900 Henry Rifles in 1863-1864 for issue to the 1st D.C. Cavalry Regiment and a small number in 1865 for issue to the Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiments. The majority of Henry Rifles were privately purchased by individual Federal soldiers who appreciated the rifle's firepower and advanced design. Most of these soldiers were in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky regiments in the Army of the Cumberland. Some western regiments, like the 66th Illinois Infantry, were primarily armed with privately purchased Henry Rifles.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 429