The Interesting Relationship between Henry Firearms, Smith & Wesson and Winchester
Guyton Montgomery Jun 17, 2024
Henry rifles are always a hit with the customers of Scott’s Outdoors. Whether it is a standard .22 or a commemorative edition we love seeing the happiness when a customer leaves with their new Henry rifle. If you are not familiar with the Henry brand, here is a brief overview.
The Henry rifle is a legendary firearm that played a crucial role in shaping American history. Developed in the mid-19th century by Benjamin Tyler Henry, this revolutionary rifle was one of the first lever-action rifles to be widely adopted by the United States military and civilians alike.
Oliver Winchester and John M. Davies purchased the bankrupt original company of Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in 1856 which was known as the Volcanic Repeating Arms company. Winchester and Davies and reorganized it as the New Haven Arms Company in April 1857. As its plant superintendent, Benjamin Henry continued with development of a new rifle, known as the Henry rifle.”
In 1860, the Henry rifle was introduced to the public, and it quickly gained a reputation for its rapid fire rate and accuracy. Its innovative design allowed for quick reloading, giving soldiers a significant advantage on the battlefield. During the Civil War, the Henry rifle was used by Union soldiers, who praised its effectiveness in combat.
“After an encounter with the 7th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which had the good fortune to be armed with Henrys, one Confederate officer is credited with the phrase, ‘It’s a rifle that you could load on Sunday and shoot all week long.’” (Taken from: https://www.henryusa.com/about-us/henry-history/)
The Henry rifle's impact went beyond the battlefield, as it also became a popular choice among civilians for hunting and self-defense. Its reliable performance and sleek design made it a favorite among gun enthusiasts.
“In 1866 Oliver Winchester reorganized the company as the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, and had the basic design of the Henry rifle completely modified and improved to become the first Winchester rifle, the Model 1866.” Winchester rifles went on to become iconic symbols of the American West employed by frontiersmen, cowboys and lawmen.
The legacy of the Henry rifle lives on today, as it is celebrated for its role in American history and its contribution to the development of firearms technology. Its influence can be seen in modern firearms, and its place in the annals of American history is firmly cemented.
In 1996 Louis Imperato and his son Anthony produced the Henry H001 Lever-Action .22 and began shipping in March of 1997. They boast the slogan, “Made in American or Not At All.” While they took the name from Benjamin Tyler Henry who patented the first repeating rifle there is no affiliation or lineage to Benjamin Tyler Henry or the New Haven Arms Company.
Today you can purchase a Henry rifle known for quality and reliability. Their offerings now expand beyond the repeating rifle to include single shot, semi-automatic and revolvers. Scott’s Outdoors’ inventory of Henry is changing constantly so keep a regular check to see what is in stock.
