Benjamin Tyler Henry can be fairly credited with one of the more significant accomplishments in firearms history. Although he was not the first inventor to ever dabble in lever-action guns, as a few other examples like Colt’s early “ring lever” cap-and-ball rifles can be found previously, his original rifle from 1860 really brought the technology into its own and enabled it to proliferate. Combined with the development of self-contained cartridge ammo, this new firearm type would go on to become wildly popular and spawn a number of similar designs from other manufacturers. Benjamin Tyler’s early rifles can arguably be considered some of the most important firearms in American history, and among the revered class of “guns that won the West”.

The inventor’s stoic visage adorns the right side of the intricately-engraved receiver.

The lever-action rifle has stood the test of time, too, since now more than a century and a half later many shooters still buy, use, and love them. Henry Repeating Arms is still going strong today, with dozens of varieties of lever-action rifles and shotguns included in their current catalogue. These rifles’ legendary inventor was born on March 21, 1821, so the 200th anniversary of this event is coming up in the spring. The company that still carries on his name and legacy has elected to honor this milestone with a limited release of 200 special-edition rifles closely resembling and paying homage to the 1860 original. These tribute guns will command a $4,286 MSRP and come chambered in .44-40 WCF. The press release announcing this momentous production run reads as follows.

The rifle’s left side denotes its rarity, declaring it to be just “One of 200”.

Henry Repeating Arms Commemorates Legendary Inventor’s 200th Birthday with Limited-Edition Rifle

RICE LAKE, WI – – American rifle and shotgun manufacturer Henry Repeating Arms is commemorating Benjamin Tyler Henry’s 200th birthday with a limited-edition release of the toggle-link lever action design he patented in 1860. Born in 1821, Benjamin Tyler Henry would become one of the most influential names in American firearms design history with his invention of the 1860 Henry rifle, the first reliable lever action repeating rifle. The New Original B.T. Henry 200th Anniversary Edition rifle is limited to only 200 units worldwide, making it the rarest New Original Henry the company has ever released.

This limited-edition model is a line-for-line reproduction of B.T. Henry’s 1860 design with consolations only being made to accommodate the more modern .44-40 WCF cartridge. The hardened brass receiver features full coverage leafy vine scrollwork engraving surrounding a portrait of the inventor on the right side and a testament to the rifle’s rarity on the reverse side with the words, “One of 200.” The buttstock is made from highly figured presentation-grade American walnut and is capped with a crescent shaped brass buttplate, which includes a period-correct door for the internal cleaning accessory compartment. The 24.5” polished blued steel octagon barrel is topped with a folding ladder rear sight and blade front sight. Each rifle in the series bears a unique serial number ranging from 001BTH200 to 200BTH200.

Anthony Imperato, President and owner of Henry Repeating Arms says, “The lever action rifle is one of America’s unique contributions to international firearms design, and we take a great deal of pride in carrying on Benjamin Tyler Henry’s legacy by making lever action rifles and shotguns for the modern day on American soil.” Imperato continues, “We are excited to release this rifle in honor of his 200th birthday, and we can’t wait to see them start showing up in the hands of our collectors.”

The New Original B.T. Henry 200th Anniversary Edition (model H011BTH) has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $4,286.

Henry firearms can only be purchased through a licensed firearms dealer. For more information about Henry Repeating Arms and its products visit henryusa.com or call 866-200-2354.

Photos courtesy of Henry Repeating Arms.