The first Henry Repeating Arms Model H001 Classic Lever Action .22 rifle shipped from a small factory in Brooklyn, N.Y. in March of 1997. Today the company is headquartered in Rice Lake, WI, employs more than 550 people and runs three facilities in Wisconsin and New Jersey.
Today the company is one of the nation’s largest long-gun manufacturers, but those first rifles from the company were produced under more modest conditions. The American success story really began in 1993, when company founder and CEO Anthony Imperato took out a home-equity loan to establish the Colt Blackpowder Arms Company. Colt revolvers and muskets under license from Colt’s Manufacturing were the specialty and Imperato, along with his father Louis Imperato, harnessed decades of experience in the industry to build the business.
By 1996, however, the father-son duo developed a rimfire lever-action rifle. Its success launched Henry Repeating Arms and, along with subsequent introductions, put the company on nearly every enthusiast’s radar.
Today the firm offers more than 200 different rifles and shotguns in a wide variety configurations including its flagship Henry Golden Boy .22. Regardless of model, all live up to the Henry promise that each are “Made in America, Or Not Made At All.”
“Without a doubt, we would not be here celebrating 25 years of success without the hard work and dedication of every Henry Repeating Arms employee, several of whom have been with me since day one. They are the heart and soul of the company,” said CEO and Founder Anthony Imperato. “And to all of Henry owners around the world that chose to make us a part of their lives, thank you, we are eternally grateful.”
Throughout the year, Henry Repeating Arms will be celebrating 25 years with the release of several limited-edition models, including the Golden Boy “Silver Anniversary” Edition, a special edition of the New Original Henry, a 25th-anniversary edition of the H001 Classic Lever Action .22, and more. For more information about these releases as details become available and to stay up to date with Henry’s 25th-anniversary news, visit henryusa.com/25-year-anniversary.
