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Obscure Object of Desire: Civil War Henry Repeating Rifle

Robert Farago - comments No comments

Henry made just 1700 repeating rifles for federal troops in the Civil War. As the RIA dudes point out, all of them saw service. Scouts, marauders and raiders used the rimfire .44 Henrys to great effect. But the Henrys weren’t appropriate for the strategic development that arose during The War Between the States: trench warfare. It’s hard to work a lever gun when you’re slithering around in the muck on your belly. Still, the Henrys were the precursor to the Winchester Model 1866. As such, they are endlessly desirable and perfectly collectible.

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Robert Farago

Robert Farago is the former publisher of The Truth About Guns (TTAG). He started the site to explore the ethics, morality, business, politics, culture, technology, practice, strategy, dangers and fun of guns.

0 thoughts on “Obscure Object of Desire: Civil War Henry Repeating Rifle”

  1. The term is abused to the point of absurdity, but the Henry truly was a game-changer. Putting a loading gate on it with the ’66 finalized a template that is unchanged today, 150 years later.

    The Turks used the ’66 to cut the Russians to ribbons at the Siege of Plevna.

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  2. So is there a particular reason you do not like using the rear sight on that shotgun? Or is there something I’m missing?

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