June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
With the gun lying on a table and viewing under a standard fluorescent desk light, the blue on the barrel and tube appears to have almost 100% of the reapplied blue with just a hint of muzzle wear. When examined under a lighted magnifying glass, you can see that it is really a mix of light blue with patina age freckling throughout, starting to thin. The right side of the octagon barrel on the flat is stamped "C.G.C. / H.", the "H" stands for B. Tyler Henry found on the majority of militia inspected rifles under serial number 6000. This same "H" can be found stamped on the lower tang, twice on the right front side of frame, and on the left side of buttplate at upper left heel. "C.G.C." represents Charles G. Curtis, a civilian employee of the Ordnance Department who was assigned to the inspection of contract arms in the late 1850's and during the Civil War, to include the Henry rifle. This same "C.G.C." cartouche is stamped vertically on the right side of the wrist well back from the frame, confirming the block letter initials that appear on the right barrel flat. Initials on the barrel flat were stamped with a three-character die. The "CGC" in box cartouche on the wrist is visible with the naked eye but requires magnifying glass to fully read it. The mustard color brass frame and buttplate have never been touched, are not splotchy and are simply aged to a magnificent smooth mustard patina. The edges on both the barrel and frame are as sharp and tight as the day they were manufactured. All of the top mounted screws at tang and buttplate are lined up at 12 o'clock and have not been removed for serial numbers, but are guaranteed to match if you choose to take this gun apart. All of the screws retain generous amounts of the original blue finish. Two bottom frame screws show some light marring from tightening. The hammer and lever, which were originally case colored, are a rich grey patina with some existing pattern. Walnut buttstock is near mint, proud to metal with nary a scratch or crack, and you can still feel and see the raised grain. The Henry bump on left side of stock is immediately obvious to the naked eye. Bolt is free of pitting or rust and is basically a silvery-blue finish. When looking down into the well of the receiver, it is immediately obvious that it is extremely clean and devoid of any corrosion or damage of any kind. Rifle was not equipped with any swivel attachments. The receiver shape is the early version with slight bevel. Hammer is a standard Henry hammer. Rifle has the early small trigger retaining pin. Sight dovetail is only near the breech of the barrel as pictured on page 73, serial No. 4234. Has the later, larger barrel address stamping that reads "HENRYS PATENT OCT 16, 1860 MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN. CT."; page 75. The standard finish on the Henry rifle barrel is a high polish bright blue. Magazine cartridge follower is brass and of the larger, later variation; page 80. The receiver slot, to accept charger, shows the milled flats as seen on page 81. Stock comb is the last buttstock angle, which appears on rifles after serial number 3200; page 90. This rifled post-dates the perch belly stock base. A picture of the bump and its explanation can be seen on pages 95 and 96. Buttplate is the early style with rounded heel and has a trapdoor that has held an original four piece hickory and metal cleaning rod. This is an early type, unmarked, and can be seen in the top photo on page 103. The front sight is the ladder style profile which tapers downward toward muzzle which can be seen on pages 120 and 121; rear sight, as found on page 122, is a Type C with the 900 yard stamped on top and no top screw. This is considered a Type I U.S. Martial Henry rifle in all respects. Bore is extremely clean with razor sharp lands and grooves, and the action is flawless. Truly an outstanding example of one of the most famous and recognizable American made weapons ever produced that would be nearly impossible to improve upon. An investment grade Henry for those who desire only the finest. (All of the technical information supplied in this description was obtained from the book "The Story of Benjamin Tyler Henry and His Famed Repeating Rifle" but Les Quick, the definitive guide on this subject.) CORRECTION: According to records obtained by Springfield Research from the U.S. Archives in Washington, D.C., serial No. 3938 was issued to Stephen Andersen. He enlisted for one year on April 1st, 1865 at Ft. Stoneman.