^Lot 4010A FIRST MODEL HENRY RIFLE IN RANGE OF CIVIL WAR

"WESTERN SHARPSHOOTER" SURVIVORS. Cal. 44. S# 1621. There are five documented Birge's 66th Illinois Western Sharpshooters private purchased by this unit between S# 1606 & 1662, an estimated 250 Henry rifles were purchased between May & September 1863 according to the well-researched "HISTORIC HENRY RIFLE" by Wiley Sword. Like other private purchased rifles in this group, S# 1621 is in standard configuration of early 1863 made brass frame rifle, 16 shot integral magazine, "HENRY'S PAT. OCT.16. 1860 / MANUFACT'D BY THE NEW HAVEN ARMS. CO. NEW HAVEN. CT" roll stamped on top of 24" octagonal barrel flat. Correct 900 yard rear sight without slide screw, transition from 1000 yard to 900 yard sights occurred around S# 1200. Mounted with Henry sling swivels on left side. These early Henry S# 1000-3000 were very popular with any soldier who could afford one, many, if not most, in this range probably saw Civil War service. There is monogram of one owner carved on right side of butt stock. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: correspondence form Wiley Sword concerning this rifle "It sounds like your rifle was customized by a veteran, indicating it was likely used in actual military service"; copy of Sword's "The Historic Henry Rifle"; original bill of sale from 1979. CONDITION: good to very good overall, brass has toned smooth patina. Matching S#s observed on barrel, frame tang along with "U", and buttplate (trap in buttplate is restored). Buttplate screws are S#ed 1620. All original and authentic Henry components, though buttstock is from different gun with obscured 3-digit S# in upper tang channel, frame screws are not numbered. Stock has old crack repair with screw at bottom of comb rear of tang, contains later 4-piece iron & brass tipped cleaning rod. Mechanically fine, crisp rifled bore. PROVENANCE: Chet Fulmer, Detroit Lakes, MN 1979; David Berenson estate collection. (01-29649/JS). ANTIQUE. $12,000-18,000.