December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
Alexander Henry and Daniel Fraser were the premier makers of rifles in Edinburgh, and Fraser apprenticed under Henry for a time. This is a classic example of the dropping block design, signed "Alexr Henry. Edinburgh & London. Patent No 3286", with a slim bead front sight and a folding leaf rear sight, one standing and one folding, folding regulated for 200 yards, standing unmarked. Birmingham proof marks for a 52 bore rifle, Henry's Patent marking, and caduceus proof; matching serial number on bottom of barrel with "AH", presumably for Alexander Henry. Forearm with distinct Alexander Henry scalloped lip with point-and-wave pattern checkering, retained by a single key through an escutcheon, fit with sidepanels. Case color action with shaped back action peninsula lock on right side, fit with a non-rebounding serpentine hammer with tall cock and an English style stalking safety, which throws backwards (towards the shooters face) to engage. Tasteful English scrollwork throughout, borders dressed with strapwork, and signed at rear of peninsula lock "Alexr Henry". Stock with side panels that match the forearm well is constructed with a pistol grip checkered in point pattern and capped by a gadrooned horn cap, shadowline cheekpiece, brass nameplate at toe line, unengraved, and a checkered steel buttplate with a small triangle of engraving at heel and a trap, vacant. Accessories compose a black canvas-wrapped case with leather trim, a name on lid that has been all but lost to time, now only "Sir M.W." legible; lined in burgundy, and designed to fit the rifle with compartments for accessories, including 10 rounds loose ammo in bag, 2 boxes Kynoch .450 3-1/4", and a box with 1 fired case and 13 loaded roads; box indicates a 300 Grain Sieera and 120 grains of FFG but all ammo should be considered reloads and, as such, components only. There is a set of RCBS dies for .450 NE 3-1/4 to facilitate reloading. CONDITION: Barrel is largely a mixture of plum-brown bluing and some silver handling marks, most notable at muzzle, with scattered marks and superficial scratches throughout. Legends are crisp. Stocks are very good with handling marks from the field, some marks deeper than others, particularly on forearm and along toe line. One crack at pistol grip, approximately 1", from tang to grip cap. Action with strong traces of case colors, with patterning visible and better colors in protected areas. Mechanically fine, stalking safety works appropriately, bore is very good with strong rifling and mild frosting. Accessories are very good, case with some age related distress and scrapes but solid.
Accessories
Case, Reloading Dies, Brass
Caliber/Bore
.450 3 - 1/4"
Manufacturer
Alexander Henry