Announced officially on December 18 by Henry Repeating Arms – one of the world's best known manufacturer of lever-action rifles – "The Spirit of '76" is a limited-issue, commemorative edition of the original Henry lever-action rifle design specifically conceived as an enduring artifact worthy of America's national heritage and to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

A line-for-line reproduction of the 1860 patent from Benjamin Tyler Henry – save for the concession needed to adapt to the more modern .44-40 WCF cartridge that it's chambered in – and fitted with a 62,2 cm / 24.5" octagonal steel barrel and a 13-rounds steel magazine tube, the Henry Repeating Arms "The Spirit of '76" is among the most refined and historically significant firearms ever produced by Henry Repeating Arms, currently operating out of Rice Lake, Wisconsin: a true must-have for collectors who understand that true value lies in rarity, context, and craftsmanship.

The polished blued steel barrel of "The Spirit of '76" recalls the restrained beauty of early American gunmaking. At its heart, a nickel-plated brass receiver, fully engraved and selectively adorned with 24-karat gold highlights, transforms the rifle into a stunning work of art.

The receiver tells the story of American independence through meticulously executed engravings: the right side features a dramatic Revolutionary War battlefield scene, a period-correct musket, the Betsy Ross flag, Independence Hall, and a commanding portrait of the bald eagle – America's animal symbol.

The left side continues the narrative with a Revolutionary War fife and drum corps, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and an engraved rendering of the sword carried by George Washington. Together, these scenes form a visual chronicle of the birth of the United States as a nation.

The buttstock of each "The Spirit of '76" lever-action rifle is hand-crafted from a single rosewood blank; the blanks were all hand-selected by Henry Repeating Arms founder and CEO Anthony Imperato. Each blank is selected for its rich color, grain, and character, ensuring that no two rifles are identical. A nickel-plated brass crescent buttplate with a period-correct trapdoor completes each rifle with authentic historical detail.