POTD: The Beginning of The Repeaters – Henry 1860
Sam.S 01.23.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have the beginning of the repeaters. This this the Henry 1860 lever action rifle chambered for the 44 Henry Rimfire cartridge. The Henry 1860 came about as an improved design of the Volcanic set of firearms. It was unique in comparison because it used self contained brass cartridges. The 44 caliber bullet was propelled by 25 grains of black powder and there was a whole 15 of them capable of being packed into the Henry 1860. That was a ton of firepower and these were a beloved firearm by soldiers of the Civil War.
“Henry Lever Action Rifle manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company in October 1862. The rifle has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine and brass (gunmetal) receiver and buttplate. The barrel/magazine is blued, the hammer and lever are color casehardened and the straight grain American walnut stock is oil finished. The rifle has the first pattern receiver with alternate rear sight dovetail and early buttplate with rounded heel. The barrel has an early style, half-moon shaped, nickel-silver front sight blade and dovetail mounted, folding leaf, rear sight. This first style rear sight has “1000” marked below the center notch at the top of the leaf and narrow elevator bar with rounded ends. The magazine has the small diameter follower and the lower receiver has the early, straight follower cut. The buttplate and tang have hand-fitted, serial numbered, screws. The rifle stock and barrel are not fitted with a sling swivel or hook for sling loop which were special order items on early production Henry rifles. 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.”
Lot 10: New Haven Arms Co. Henry Rifle Rifle 44 Henry Rf – Fine Three Digit Number First Model Henry Lever Action Rifle. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved January 23, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/71/10/new-haven-arms-co-henry-rifle-rifle-44-henry-rf.
