1860 Henry Survey
Mission
Due to the lack of relevant information
available to collectors of the 1860 Henry
Rifle, I have decided to conduct a formal
survey.

The information gathered will be made
public when 500 guns have been surveyed;
and some time down the line, I hope to turn
the information gained from the survey into
a book.

The survey covers all aspects and features
of the Henry rifle through all the phases of
its production.

When completed it will become an
invaluable tool for collectors. We will be
able to identify the correct features of
various serial number ranges and
determine which parts should be
numbered in each range.  

The Data base that will be created can be
used to track known Henry's, as well as to
check for duplicate numbers, that are either
noteworthy or spurious.

Overall, collecting Henrys will become far
safer and much more enjoyable. At the
moment, survey results have been
collected from 38 states and 4 countries.
To obtain and complete a survey please
follow the instructions on this page.  

Anyone with a Henry is urged to participate.
Please check the list below to see if your
gun is already in the survey, if it is not
please download a survey and submit it.
Even if your gun has been surveyed please
contact me as I am missing information on
many of the surveyed guns.

Thank you,
Spencer Hoglund
Contact:

leaddispencer@yahoo.com
    Interesting Findings:

  • It appears as though no Iron frame Henrys were produced after serial
    number 400
  • It appears as though the lever lock was introduced ca. Serial number
    400
  • The only Henrys produced without a dovetailed barrel are in 375-625
    range.
  • Receivers were no longer dovetailed at around serial number 3000
  • The apparent correct range for martial markings is roughly: 3000-
    4000+, and 7000-9400 however martially marked guns have been
    found as low as 2200 and as high as 10,000. These guns are
    questionable.
  • The butt plate changed shape at serial number 5000
  • The loading block and front of barrel were numbered throughout
    most of the production run, but with no apparent pattern. Guns with
    these numbers have been found from  the beginning of production
    through the 14,000 range. That said, the vast majority of Henrys
    surveyed are lacking this feature. Of the over 873 surveyed, less
    than 10 exhibit this.
  • It appears as though the screws were only numbered on guns up to
    serial number 5,000. Sufficient information is still lacking to draw a
    definitive conclusion. (Plate screws through 5000, stock and tang
    screws through 3000.
  • Of the surveyed guns, now roughly 873, 30% are engraved.
  • Total surveyed: 494 directly, and 300 indirectly
  • 12 duplicate or known forgeries have been uncovered.  
  • 80% of guns have been found with sling swivels. Only 3 % had
    swivels on the right side, and no right side swivels were found after
    roughly serial number 1300. All swivels were rare on earlier guns.



Note: I have limited access to both Stembridge Armory and Springfield
records. With these I can identify movie guns and issued Civil War Guns.
Contact me for any inquiries.  
Check to see if your Henry or
pre-15,000 Flat Side 1866 has
been surveyed here in the
current Henry Serial Number List:
Henry's found in the Springfield Records
To complete the survey, click on the check boxes . Also,
click in the text boxes and insert text.  After completing the
survey, you must RE-SAVE, attach and send.
The Book is underway, check back soon
to preview a few pages.
(Not all of these guns have not been examined
for authenticity, do not take a serial number in
this list to be a guarantee of originality.)