I’m looking for informed collector feedback on an original brass-frame New Haven Arms Henry rifle, serial no. 7516, believed to be 1864 production. This was a gift to me in a set of a few other guns from a friend whose father was a former collector and she wanted me to have them. I don't know how to begin trying to "authenticate" it but here's where I am so far.

1. The rifle has matching serial numbers on the top barrel flat, lower tang under the stock, stock inlet, and inside buttplate. There's an "&" on the tang but no other markings I can find.

2. As far as google can help me tell, it retains late-production Henry features including the Type II brass frame, pointed buttplate, sling swivel and barrel loop, correct-style folding ladder rear sight marked 1–8 with center notch and elevator stop screw, and the large two-line New Haven Arms barrel address (Pictured).

3. The stock is crack-free with very tight wood-to-metal fit and retains the original Henry “bump” below the left-side sling swivel area. Is that even possible with a gun that is dated to be this old? The brass frame is very clean with attractive aged patina, tight sideplate fit, and no major dents or damage. Basically, it seems very clean and again, I don't know if that's reasonable for something dated back to the 1860s

4.The barrel/magazine has smooth aged patina with crisp markings. but there is no Bluing left on it.  Bore shows clear rifling with minor pitting. The cleaning rod is present in the buttstock. An old leather sling with hook-style attachments is present, though the adjuster is marked “Pat. Jan. 12, 1897,” so I’m treating the sling as a later accessory.

5. Per my little Winchester handbook, The serial number falls within the 7000–8000 range. so 1864 manufacture?

I would appreciate any knowledgeable input on originality, configuration, cleaning rod/sight correctness, etc. Photos available for review.

Tony

Zebulon said

King Medallion said
I have a Buffalo Bill 30-30 and a Chief Crazy Horse 38-55. I not only shoot them, I hunted with the CCH last year and got a nice 8 point and a fat doe with it.
  

Steve, 
Very nice! That's what they're meant for.  
  

I also am glad to see this. Any suggestions or comments pertaining to advice, or comparison to the earlier non commemorative Winchesters possibly helping out the OP, or any others thinking they would like to hunt with one?

Thanks for posting!

Tony 

King Medallion said
I have a Buffalo Bill 30-30 and a Chief Crazy Horse 38-55. I not only shoot them, I hunted with the CCH last year and got a nice 8 point and a fat doe with it.

Steve, 

Very nice! That's what they're meant for.  

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Bert

Bob

Bob

1892takedown said
The pricing on a lot of these guns in the last couple years has gone out of sight whether middle of the road or high condition.  Ive lost interest being priced out of what I think is reasonable.  Now a days it has to be something I really selectively want to consider buying.   
  

Agreed, it's worth more than I'm willing to pay for it. 

Mike

Mike

1873man said
I have never seen a note added to the ledger like that in the 73's.
Bob
  

As I mentioned, it is very rare to find a ledger entry with an addendum page, but they certainly do exist.

Bert

I do find this interesting, as the addendum Bert is talking about, in the 1885 S S Ledgers make some sense to me, and that Bob stated the he hasn't seen this in the 1873 ledgers, is also an interesting point as these two fine models overlap each other and aren't that far apart in all actuality. 

Tony