Henry Rifle serial number 1, the first production Henry rifle, is now the most valuable long gun ever made. This historic rifle, Henry serial number 1, recently sold for $5.875 million, the highest price ever paid for a rifle. This wasn’t a rare prototype — Henry Rifle serial number 1 was the very first production Henry, built by New Haven Arms Company in the 1860s.
The Most Expensive Rifle Ever Sold | Henry Serial No. 1 | ($5.875 MILLION)
Technological Innovation — 16-round Lever-Action Rifle
Patented by Benjamin Tyler Henry in 1860, this lever-action rifle chambered in .44 rimfire was a massive breakthrough, allowing soldiers to rapidly fire 16 rounds without reloading one round at a time. This design directly paved the way for the Winchester dynasty. The auction description noted: “Serial number 1 is not merely an early production example but the genesis of an entire technological and cultural legacy. Every Winchester that followed traces its lineage to this [rifle] that launched a company and helped define an era. As the starting point of the Winchester story … this rifle stands at the beginning of a legend, where Oliver Winchester’s vision took form and the repeating rifle that would shape the American West was born.”
The Birth of America’s Lever Action Rifle
It can be argued that EVERY lever-action rifle built in the 160-plus years since Henry serial number 1 was crafted — every model, every maker, every variation on that under-barrel magazine and swinging lever — traces its lineage back to this one gun.
The 1860 Henry was the design that proved a repeating rifle could actually work in the field, and it set the template that the entire lever-action category has followed ever since. Since its creation a century and a half ago, the lever-action rifle has been the rifle of hunters, ranchers, and everyday Americans who needed a dependable repeater they could trust with their lives.
Henry Rifle serial number 1 was presented to President Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton during the Civil War. This rifle is part of an exclusive trio of factory-engraved Henry rifles presented by Oliver Winchester to high-ranking Union officials to secure military contracts. The other two include Lincoln’s rifle (Serial No. 6, now in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History) and Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles’ rifle (Serial No. 9, housed at the Autry Museum of the American West).
Henry Rifle serial number 1 is not simply the first Henry rifle ever made — it is arguably the most important lever action rifle in existence. Manufactured during the American Civil War and presented to President Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, this historic Henry repeating rifle launched the era of metallic cartridge repeating long guns in America produced by Winchester Repeating Arms. Every legendary Winchester rifle that followed the Henry — from the Model 1866 to the famed Model 1873 — owes its existence to the Henry lever-action rifle.
This rifle features elaborate engraving and an inscription to Secretary Stanton.
Henry Rifle Serial Number 1 Henry Rifle serial number 1 was awarded a certificate of recognition from the National Rifle Association at the NRA annual meeting in New Orleans in 1970.
Presented alongside other famous “Lincoln Cabinet” Henry rifles gifted to Abraham Lincoln and Gideon Welles, this extraordinary Civil War firearm represents a pivotal turning point in American military and technological history. Featuring factory engraving by Samuel J. Hoggson, with early production features unique to the first Henry rifles, the Henry serial number 1 remains one of the most coveted and historically important American firearms ever made.
This video includes footage from the auction where Henry Rifle Serial Number 1 was sold.
Rifle Was Gift for Lincoln’s Right Hand Man — Secretary of War Stanton
In the 1860s, arms-makers often gave their finest work to key government leaders. After Benjamin Tyler Henry had introduced his lever-action repeating rifle that could fire 16 rounds without reloading, there was good reasons to showcase this for the government. This rifle represented a major breakthrough that could dramatically change how military operations could be conducted. So the company presented engraved Henry rifles to three men close to President Lincoln: Secretary of War Edwin Stanton received serial no. 1, Lincoln himself received serial no. 6, and Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles received serial no. 9.
Engraved brass rifle shown with portraits of Edwin Stanton and Abraham Lincoln.
Today, collectors know these three rifles as the Lincoln Cabinet Guns. Lincoln’s rifle now sits in the Smithsonian, while the Welles rfle is at the Autry Museum of the American West. The Stanton rifle, Henry serial no. 1, was the last of the three still in private hands, and the only one anyone could actually buy. Stanton is best remembered for the words he spoke at Lincoln’s deathbed: “Now he belongs to the ages.”
Henry No. 1 Is Highest Priced Rifle, But NOT the Most Expensive Gun Ever Sold
Is Henry serial number 1 the most valuable gun ever sold? Actually not. It is the most expensive rifle, but a famous handgun, a Colt revolver, represents the most expensive gun ever sold. Sheriff Pat Garrett’s Colt Single Action Army revolver, which he seized from gang member Billy Wilson in 1880 and used to kill Billy the Kid (William Bonney) in 1881, sold at a Bonham’s Auction on August 27, 2021, for a record-breaking $6,030,313 (including buyer’s premium).
Details of Rifle (from Auction Description):
Condition: Extremely fine overall with crisp original barrel address and serial number “1” on the barrel. The engraving and historic inscription are all crisp and of extraordinary detail. 85% plus original vibrant case colors remain on the hammer. 40% of the original blue finish mixed with attractive even brown patina remains on the barrel. Significant patches of original silver plating are found in the protected areas of the frame such as the lower tang as well as on the heel extension of the buttplate, attractively aged patina on the exceedingly attractive brass, a mostly even brown patina on the lever, and generally minimal overall wear consistent with the rifle’s age[.] The stock is also fine and has attractive natural grain and color, with an overcoat of protective varnish, faint flakes at the edges of the wrist, a tight hairline crack follows the grain in the butt, and slight storage dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
This old lever gun is something special — the most expensive rifle ever sold at auction, according to the Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC), the world’s leading firearms auction house. This rifle sold in 2016 for $1,265,000.00 — the highest auction price ever recorded for a single rifle (and twice what RIAC expected). The rifle went for such a high price because it was Serial Number 1 and because of its special connection to the Wild West and Indian Wars. SEE: RIAC Most Expensive Guns.
From Rock Island Auctions: “This 1886 Winchester set what was at that time the world record for the most expensive single firearm ever sold at auction… this particular model 1886 happened to be serial number one! If that weren’t enough, the gun was presented by firearms designer Lieut. George E. Albee to his friend and fellow Medal of Honor Recipient Capt. Henry W. Lawton, upon Lawton’s accepted surrender of Apache leader Geronimo.”
This historic Winchester Model 1886, Serial Number 1, was given to then Captain Henry W. Lawton as a gift to honor Lawton’s successful raid to capture the renegade Apache leader Geronimo. The rifle was gifted by his friend, Lt. George E. Albee, who worked with Winchester. Both Army officers were Medal of Honor winners. This rifle “represents the 25 years of bloodshed between the U.S. Army and the Apache Indians in the Southwest, and the end of the Indian Wars. Being serial number one and possessing such outstanding condition would alone be enough to draw six figures at auction. When you add one of the most famous names in the history of the Old West you have a huge crossover appeal”, said RIAC President Kevin Hogan.
Click the links below for the full, illustrated history of Geronimo’s capture by Captain Henry W. Lawton.
Lawton was a “soldier’s soldier” who fought in the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, and Philippine-American War, finishing his career with the rank of Major General. He lead an Army contingent that traveled 1300 miles to capture Geronimo in the summer of 1886. He was killed in combat in 1899 at the battle of San Mateo, in the Philippines. Ironically, the leader of the Philippine Revolutionary troops he faced was named Gen. Licerio Geronimo. Strange but true.
Rock Island sells over 25,000 firearms every year, but “never before had Rock Island offered Serial Number 1 of a production grade, investment-quality firearm” said RIAC. Given the rifle’s unique history and well-established provenance, “this truly is a prized national treasure”. This is the first production Winchester model 1886, with the single digit ONE stamped on the lower tang. The barrel is also inscribed “Albee to Lawton 45-70″.
“The rifle’s story begins with two brothers-in-arms during the Civil War who went their different ways after that conflict, one electing to continue a lifelong military career while the other pursued firearms and their development,” stated RIAC. “When the former, Captain Henry Ware Lawton, captured Geronimo in 1886, the latter, Lieutenant George E. Albee, was working for Winchester and able to secure serial number one of their newest rifle design. He presented it to his old war buddy and lifelong friend to commemorate Lawton’s remarkable achievement.”
Prices Continue to Rise for Rare, Collectible Firearms RIAC reports: “In recent years, high-value collectibles like fine art, classic cars, and vintage timepieces have been outperforming traditional investments and show no sign of losing momentum. Rare firearms have experienced similar uptrends, and that’s no surprise given how the most desirable firearm classes share many of the same traits as other investment-grade collectibles. Scarcity, tangibility, artistry, historical significance, popular appeal, and strong market demand have all contributed to substantial appreciation across the fine arms genre.”
RIAC has seen its average annual sales double since 2015 and break the $100 million barrier for the second year in a row in 2022. In the last two years more than 120 lots achieved six-figure price tags or higher, with four of those items surpassing the million-dollar mark.
This old lever gun is something special — the most expensive rifle ever sold at auction, according to the Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC), the world’s leading firearms auction house. This rifle sold in 2016 for $1,265,000.00 — the highest auction price ever recorded for a rifle (and twice what RIAC expected). The rifle went for such a high price because it was Serial Number 1 and because of its special connection to the Wild West and Indian Wars. SEE: RIAC Most Expensive Guns.
From Rock Island Auctions: “This 1886 Winchester set what was at that time the world record for the most expensive single firearm ever sold at auction… this particular model 1886 happened to be serial number one! If that weren’t enough, the gun was presented by firearms designer Lieut. George E. Albee to his friend and fellow Medal of Honor Recipient Capt. Henry W. Lawton, upon Lawton’s accepted surrender of Apache leader Geronimo.”
This historic Winchester Model 1886, Serial Number 1, was given to then Captain Henry W. Lawton as a gift to honor Lawton’s successful raid to capture the renegade Apache leader Geronimo. The rifle was gifted by his friend, Lt. George E. Albee, who worked with Winchester. Both Army officers were Medal of Honor winners. This rifle “represents the 25 years of bloodshed between the U.S. Army and the Apache Indians in the Southwest, and the end of the Indian Wars. Being serial number one and possessing such outstanding condition would alone be enough to draw six figures at auction. When you add one of the most famous names in the history of the Old West you have a huge crossover appeal”, said RIAC President Kevin Hogan.
Click the links below for the full, illustrated history of Geronimo’s capture by Captain Henry W. Lawton.
Lawton was a “soldier’s soldier” who fought in the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, and Philippine-American War, finishing his career with the rank of Major General. He lead an Army contingent that traveled 1300 miles to capture Geronimo in the summer of 1886. He was killed in combat in 1899 at the battle of San Mateo, in the Philippines. Ironically, the leader of the Philippine Revolutionary troops he faced was named Gen. Licerio Geronimo. Strange but true.
Rock Island sells over 23,000 firearms every year, but “never before had Rock Island offered Serial Number 1 of a production grade, investment-quality firearm” said RIAC. Given the rifle’s unique history and well-established provenance, “this truly is a prized national treasure”. This is the first production Winchester model 1886, with the single digit ONE stamped on the lower tang. The barrel is also inscribed “Albee to Lawton 45-70″.
“The rifle’s story begins with two brothers-in-arms during the Civil War who went their different ways after that conflict, one electing to continue a lifelong military career while the other pursued firearms and their development,” stated RIAC. “When the former, Captain Henry Ware Lawton, captured Geronimo in 1886, the latter, Lieutenant George E. Albee, was working for Winchester and able to secure serial number one of their newest rifle design. He presented it to his old war buddy and lifelong friend to commemorate Lawton’s remarkable achievement.”
