The Henry lever action rifle is among the most famous and desirable of all of the historic American lever action rifles as the predecessor to the famous Winchester lever action rifles and one of the most advanced firearms of the American Civil War. Of the Henry variants, the distinctive iron frame Henry rifles are the rarest and most desirable. Only an estimated 200-300 Henry rifles with iron frames were manufactured by New Haven Arms Co. before the company discontinued them in favor of the "brass" gunmetal frames. These iron framed rifles were manufactured during the first three months of production (April-June 1862), and the known serial numbers of the identified iron frame Henry rifles range from 1-393. Less than 100 of these rifle are reportedly known today. Only 85 were reported known in "The Historic Henry Rifle" by Wiley Sword, and this rifle is among those listed. This rifle is also listed by serial number as a known surviving iron frame Henry on page 54 of Les Quick's book "The Story of Benjamin Tyler Henry and His Famed Repeating Rifle." Collectors have also identified seventy-seven brass frame Henry rifles in this same serial number range and sixteen brass and iron frame Henry rifles with duplicate serial numbers, but no corresponding brass frame example is known for serial number 110. Many of the early iron frame Henry rifles were shipped to New Haven Arms Co. dealers in Louisville, Kentucky, and a few iron frame Henry rifles were even obtained by Confederate soldiers. This rifle displays the distinctive features found on the earliest Henry rifles: both the barrel and the receiver have rear sight dovetails. The notch and folding ladder rear sight is currently mounted in the frame and is the latter variation with the "900" yard marking below the center notch and no retaining screw. The nickel silver blade front sight has been slightly reshaped. The magazine has the early style small brass cartridge follower, and the receiver has the early straight follower cut. In addition to the rear sight dovetail, the upper rear portion of the receiver has the slight bevel in front of the hammer found on early rifles. The loading lever is the first style with no spur, and the lower receiver tang lacks the lever latch added around serial number 400. The iron buttplate is the first style with rounded heel. The rifle is not equipped with a sling swivel on the left side of the stock or a sling hook loop on the left side of the barrel. These were special order items on early production rifles. The top of the barrel is roll stamped with the two-line legend "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN. CT." ahead of the rear sight dovetail. The serial number "110" is stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the frame and is also marked on the tang screws, lower tang, stock inlet, buttplate screws, and buttplate. The 24 3/8 inch octagon barrel, integral magazine, iron frame, breech bolt, lever, and iron buttplate all have a high polish blue finish. The trigger and hammer are color casehardened. The straight grain walnut stock has a high polish piano varnish finish. The buttstock has an empty compartment for a takedown cleaning rod. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Very good with traces of faint original blue finish remaining in the protected areas, attractive mixed gray and brown patina throughout, and general mild overall wear including some scattered dings. The stock is fine and has mild scratches and dings and a hairline crack that runs through both sides. Mechanically fine.