How much is an original 1860 Henry rifle worth?

“We know that we found some throughout the Internet that ranged from $31,000 in fair shape to $155,000 in excellent shape.” Designed by Benjamin Tyler Henry in 1860, the . 44 caliber repeating rifle was prized during the Civil War by Union soldiers, who would save up their own money to buy one.

Were Henry lever-action rifles used in the Civil War?

44 caliber rimfire breech-loading lever-action rifle. It was introduced in the early 1860s and produced through 1866 in the United States by the New Haven Arms Company. The Henry was adopted in small quantities by the Union in the Civil War, favored for its greater firepower than the standard-issue carbine.

Was the 1860 Henry rifle used in the Civil War?

During the American Civil War, lasting from 1861 to 1865, the Henry rifle and the Spencer rifle saw considerable use on the battlefield. Members of both the Confederate and Union armies carried these guns, earning them their place in history.

What is the most valuable Henry rifle?

A historic 1886 Winchester rifle, owned by U.S. Army Captain Henry Ware Lawton, who is credited with capturing Apache leader Geronimo, just sold for $1.2 million, setting a new world record. The lever-action repeating rifle, an icon of the Old West, is now the most expensive gun ever sold at auction.

Why didn’t they use lever action rifles in the Civil War?

As to why the US didn’t ever adopt lever action rifles: at first, money. With the end of the Civil War, the US Army realized it needed to upgrade to breechloaders. Some ( including lever action Henry rifles) had been used by some units, mostly cavalry, but the standard arm from 1860-65 was still a muzzleloading rifle.

Is Henry rifles the same as Winchester?

The Henry rifle was the immediate forerunner of the famous Winchester rifles. About 14,000 Henry’s were made between 1860 and 1866 by the New Haven Arms Company. The Henry rifle was developed from the Volcanic firearms system and was built around the . 44 rimfire cartridge.

What caliber bullet does a Henry rifle shoot?

.44 caliber cartridge
The Henry rifle used a . 44 caliber cartridge with 26 to 28 grains (1.7 to 1.8 g) of black powder. This gave it significantly less muzzle velocity and energy than other repeaters of the era, such as the Spencer. The lever action, on the down-stroke, ejected the spent cartridge from the chamber and cocked the hammer.

Why is it so hard to find Henry rifles?

Those identified as a Gold Dealer normally have a large selection on hand. “Even though we are a Gold Dealer, we can’t get the Henry rifles right now because production has cut because of a reduced work force and an inability to manufacture guns, rifles and firearms,” said Smitty.

What caliber was the Henry rifle?

.44 caliber rimfire
The original Henry rifle was a . 44 caliber rimfire, lever-action, breech-loading rifle designed by Benjamin Tyler Henry in 1860.