April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
Manufactured in 1862 with blue finished barrel, nickel silver front blade sight and deluxe piano varnished walnut stock and factory engraved with a silver washed finish on receiver and case colored hammer. The scroll engraved receiver with dot punch background and geometric designs and a floral spray on the left side plate. The engraving is surrounded with a dual chisel cut border. This deluxe form of engraving has been observed on the in the 1200 and 1500 serial range of the Henry rifle and is noted on serial numbers 1216, 1215, 1570 and 1441 according to both George Madis and R.L. Wilson. Mounted with the proper 900 yard "Henry" folding rear sight and factory sling swivels. Rifle was disassembled and matching serial numbers are found on top barrel flat, lower tang, buttplate at top, stock and all five stock screws. The barrel address is crisp and fully legible. The nicely figured American walnut stock is deluxe finished in a piano varnish as opposed to the standard varnish. CONDITION. Exceptionally fine. The receiver retains 85-90% of the factory applied silver finish and the side pates fit perfectly and align correctly. The barrel has a tremendous amount of blue finish with as much as 80% factory in the gullets with slight browning visible under intense light and the barrel flats are starting to turn patina. The stock is superb with no cracks or material loss, several very minor bruises, and over 95% of the varnish remaining with slight loss at comb and toe. The tang mortises and underside of buttplate are fresh and unspoiled with no oil or staining giving further evidence to the untouched condition of this rifle. The bore remains bright and shiny with sharp lands and grooves. The action is smooth and functions properly. This is by far one of the finest specimens offered in recent history and would be the centerpiece of any collection and would be near impossible to improve upon.