The Henry Rifle was named after the man who perfected the repeating lever action rifle system designed to effectively fire a .44 calibre rimfire cartridge. Mr. B. Tyler Henry was issued a U.S. patent on October 16, 1860 for this type of action. Mr. Henry who had been associated with the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. was smart enough to later team with Oliver Winchester, who had the vision, drive and resources to create a company to manufacture the 16 shot .44 calibre repeating rifle that became known as the "Henry Rifle." This new repeating rifle could fire a 216-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1125 f.p.s. using 26 grs. of black powder.

Winchester formed the New Haven Arms Co. from the assets of the insolvent Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. and he encouraged Benjamin Henry, who had the patent rights for the Henry Rifle action, to join with the new company. From this arrangement the Henry rifle was created and was available to the market in 1862 just as the Civil War was developing.                                                                             

There were some 14,000+ Henry rifles manufactured from 1861 to 1866.

The exact amount is in dispute because early Winchester Model 1866 serial numbers fall within the later range of Henry Rifle serial numbers. (For example, the writer owns a late model "round top" Henry Rifle #14338 and also an early "flat side" Winchester Model 1866 Carbine Serial #13092 that also bore the "Henry patent" marking on the barrel.)

The U.S. Government reportedly bought 1,731 Henry rifles from 1863 to 1865 in addition to those purchased by the many state Regiments and Militias which armed some of their troops with the new Henry rifle. State Militias from the District of Columbia, Illinois, Connecticut, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, California, Indiana, and Wisconsin are known to have had some of their units equipped with the new "Henry Rifles". For example, the 12^th Kentucky Cavalry (Union) is known to have equipped a special company of "Henry Rifleman" to fight Confederate guerrillas. Several Illinois military units are known to have equipped their members with the "Henry Rifle".                                                                

The subject of this brief article is an inscribed Henry Rifle S/N 2724 that bears the inscription on the left face of the receiver "A.G. Rolf/Co.D 23rd/Ill.Inf." Henry Rifle #2724 was probably purchased either directly from New Haven Arms Co. or one of its dealers and presumably issued to Pvt. Rolf. Andis G. Rolf of Somonauk, Illinois enlisted in Company D of the 23^rd Illinois Infantry (known as part of the "Irish Brigade") on December 4, 1862. He re-enlisted as a veteran on March 18, 1864 and became a member of the newly consolidated Ill. 23^rd Infantry that participated in many campaigns that are listed below. Rolf was later mustered out on July 24, 1865 at Chicago, Illinois. 

The engraved inscription on the brass receiver (see illustration) shows engraving styles of the 1863-1865 era. The name and state are typical period engraving showing many flourishes and embellishments. The "Co. D 23rd/Ill.Inf." combined Victorian period script to heavy style block lettering. In fact, a similar engraved Henry bearing a different soldier's name, but the same unit has recently been displayed at gun shows and some of its engraving style indicated it was probably done by the same hand. In most cases, these historically engraved and inscribed rifles were usually done by a professional engraver or local jeweler.

Personally inscribed Henry rifles bearing the militia unit are not only a rare collectors item, but also afford the collector the opportunity to trace the gun's military engagement history which, in many situations, results in the collector learning interesting facts about the original owner of the inscribed gun. Not much is known about Private Rolf, except that he saw a lot of action and survived the Civil war. He was a farmer and according to noted collector, Thurston Van Horn, who owned this Henry for over 20 years, Mr. Rolf is buried in the local cemetery at Quincy, Illinois.

The writer has this fine old Henry hanging on his gun room wall and often reflects...did Rolf really participate in all the action his service record indicates (see sidebar)? If anyone can help me learn more about Private Andis G. Rolf, the writer would appreciate hearing from you.

                                        ~o0o~

REFERENCES:

1). Report of the Adjutant General of Illinois (Springfield 1866) Vol.2, pp 256, 257, 285.

2). Recollection of Thurston Van Horn, previous owner who illustrated same gun in his talk published in the American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin No. 49, October 16, 1983.

3). Article: "The Trilogy of the Henry, by John Hamilton, The Gun Report, October 1985, p 54.

4). Article: "Henry's Sixteen Shooter", by Berkley McCollum, the American Rifleman, December 1977, p 42.

5). Pamphlet: Reproduced - 1983+ "Henry's Repeating Rifle manufactured by New Haven Arms Co., New Haven, Connecticut, 1865".

6). Article: "The Civil War Henry Rifle", by John D. McAulay, American Rifleman, October, 2000, p 55.

7). Book: The Winchester Book, by George Madis Chapters 5 & 6.

©2001 Tom Seymour