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Catalog Data

Recipient:
Lincoln, Abraham  Search this
Maker:
New Haven Arms Company  Search this
Physical Description:
steel (overall material)
wood (overall material)
gold (overall material)
Measurements:
overall: 8 in x 43 1/2 in x 1 1/4 in; 20.32 cm x 110.49 cm x 3.175 cm
Object Name:
rifle
Place Made:
United States: Connecticut, New Haven
Date made:
1862
Description:
Physical Description
Henry Rifle, serial number 6, .44 caliber, forged steel, wooden stock, engraved gold mounting with floral design and “Lincoln/ President/U.S.A." on right side. Top of barrel is stamped “Henry’s Patent Oct. 16, 1860/Manufactured New Haven Arms Company New Haven, Ct.”
Specific History
This gold-mounted, engraved Henry rifle was presented to Abraham Lincoln in an effort to obtain his influence in their purchase for the war effort. This rifle was awarded the National Rifle Association Collectors Society Gold Medal as an outstanding historical firearm.
General History
The Henry, the first practical, lever action, repeating rifle, is the immediate forerunner of the famous Winchester rifles. About 14,000 were made between 1860 and 1866 by the New Haven Arms Company. Only about 1,731 Henry rifles were purchased by the Ordnance Department between 1862 and 1865. A number of units in the West purchased them at their own expense. It was especially popular in Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Indiana. The 1st Maine and 1st District of Columbia cavalry regiments are known to have been issued Henry rifles. Said one confederate soldier, “It’s a rifle you could load on Sunday and shoot all week long.”
Subject:
Presidents  Search this
Firearms  Search this
Related event:
Civil War  Search this
Civil War and Reconstruction  Search this
Related Publication:
Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition
Related Web Publication:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures
Credit Line:
Robert Lincoln Beckwith
ID Number:
AF.67880M
Catalog number:
67880M
Accession number:
246404
Serial number:
6
See more items in:
Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military
Military
National Treasures exhibit
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Exhibition:
Price of Freedom
Exhibition Location:
National Museum of American History
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a7-09f5-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_881516