Henry No. 343

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First Model Henry Carbine s/n 343
mfg 1862 – 20” Henry barrel; forged integral magazine; correct early-style small lever loop without latch; matching serial/assembly numbers are present on the barrel, inside lower tang, stock inletting channel, inside buttplate surfaces and on the shank of all five screws. Inside upper tang is marked DISPLAY MODEL 25 along with traces of original silver plating, indicating it was a special presentation or salesman sample gun. The letter C is stamped on the inside lower tang indicating Carbine. Correct and corresponding assembly numbers are stamped on the inside of the loading sleeve and barrel; straight-grain rosewood stock, crescent buttplate with trapdoor for cleaning rod. Condition is excellent with only minor handling marks present.

Letter of authentication from noted Winchester author and historian George Madis indicates that Oliver F. Winchester, in some earlier correspondence, told some customers that Henry carbines would be made in the near future. Madis further states that while there was an apparent good demand for carbines, only a few experimental sample and true carbines were made, which make this gun a true treasure for the advanced Henry Rifle and Winchester collector.

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