GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
FINE MARTIALLY MARKED TYPE 1 HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. HENRY 1860 3759 44 RF HENRY Cal. 44 RF Henry. Usual configuration with 24-1/4" oct bbl that has integral magazine, square-back German silver front sight and 900 yard Henry ladder rear sight missing its slide. Top flat of bbl has the large 2-line Henry address. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut that has early style brass buttplate with large trap and round heel. Right side flat of bbl, at the receiver is marked with the inspector initials "C.G.C." over an "H" with two "H''s" adjacent on the receiver. Heel of the buttstock on the right side is marked with a small "C" with a corresponding "C" adjacent on heel of buttplate. Buttplate screws are matching numbered to the rifle. The main tang screw and bottom tang wood screw are replacements. Stock has a repaired crack in right side of the wrist and down the stock with a spliced piece of walnut and a small bit of wood fill which apparently happened during the period of use and required refinish which obliterated the cartouche. SN is found in the usual place on the top bbl flat in front of the receiver, left side of lower tang under the wood, inside top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Rnd portion of the bbl, under the loading sleeve, is marked with the assembly number "910" with matching number on rear face of loading sleeve. This rifle was part of the first purchases by the Union Army in about 1863 which were used to arm the 1st D.C. Cavalry which later became the 1st Maine Cavalry. Both of these units saw heavy fighting and employed their Henry rifles to great effect. A Major in the 1st Maine Cavalry is quoted as saying he had overheard a captured Southerner make the statement "Give us anything but that damned Yankee rifle that you load on Sunday and shoot all week". These rifles were highly prized by the units and individuals who used them as well as the confederates who captured one. Many of these rifles were purchased by the soldiers who used them at the expiration at their term of service. They continued in use well into the 1870''s on the American frontier and few survive today with any orig finish. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine retain about 30% orig blue in sheltered areas, mostly in the gullets and around the rear sight with the balance a pleasing plum/blue patina. Rear sight retains about 50% bright blue. Frame and side plates show strong sharp corners with some minor chipping around the left side plate. Hammer retains faded case colors, mostly silver and the lever a brown patina. Stock has a small bruise on the right wrist & with the aforementioned repair, shows a fine restored oil finish. Buttplate is matching patina to the receiver. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore. 50014-1 JR51 (30,000-50,000)