Up for sale is an original 1860 Henry in .44rf. This deluxe second model was made in late 1865 (December according to information I found) at the New Haven Arms factory and engraved at the factory on the receiver and buttplate by Samuel Hoggson. The rifle is fully silver plated on the buttplate, sling swivel, receiver, lever, barrel, sight, follower, screws, and loading sleeve. Serial numbers on the inside of the buttplate, lower left side of the receiver tang, and upper wrist of the inside of the stock all match the serial number visible on the top flat of the barrel. An assembly number is also located on the muzzle of the barrel under the loading sleeve. Per the last owner, who's family is from the Columbus, Ohio area, this rifle spent many decades wrapped in quilts in a cedar chest and had been in his family for at least 3 generations. Could this be one of the Henry rifles sold by the John W. Brown company in downtown Columbus, Ohio after the Civil War? Who could have afforded to purchase such a highly decorated and beautiful rifle originally remains a mystery.

Rock Island Auction recently sold a similar rifle, though only partially silver plated. The estimated value was between $140,000 and $225,000. This rifle appears to be in comparable condition with more silver plating. A nearly identical twin to this rifle made in early 1866 and only 600 serial numbers off was listed through James Julia Auctioneers in 2018. That rifle had an estimated value of $100,000 to $150,000. Another rifle, sn11737, 800 serial numbers off from this rifle, factory engraved and partially silver plated, sold for $155,000. I'm open to reasonable offers. Additional pictures can be sent upon request. This rifle really deserves to be in a museum where everyone can enjoy seeing it!

New Haven Arms Winchester Repeating Cowboy Civil War Railroad