Henry Rifle Serial #'s

[MarkTK36thIL]

I remember reading a Henry rifle book a couple months back that listed out ID'd Henry rifles and their serial numbers. Does anyone have this book, and if so, what was the serial number of the 36th IL Inf. ID'd Henry?
Second part of that question, would that have been an iron framed Henry or a brass? Thanks,

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Henry Rifle Serial #'s

Hallo!

Serial # 4,392 was ID'd to C.M. Baker, Co. E of the 36 IL.
Serial number would make it an 1864 production.

Most likely, in all probability, it is brass (yellow bronze aka gun metal).

Iron framed Henry's were very early production, April, May, or June of 1862, numbering no more than 200-300 examples. Many hold that number to be 203 only, but it is tricky as New Haven appears to have serial numbered brass framed and iron framed Henry's WITHIN the same range. Some, like my late pard Howard Madaus believed they were separate production with their own serial numbers. I side with Howard in this controversy as there are differences such as in the mortising for the butt trap cleaning rod which might would imply different machinery. In any event there are brass framed and iron framed Henry's with the same serial number.
Some attribute this to repeated factory clerical errors.
Some believe Colt made the iron framed versions.

The Uberti iron mounted Henry is simply an iron version.... simply swapping steel for brass on the late model Henry and is not correct.

Curt