July 30th 2016 Premier Firearms Sale (20)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/30/2016
24" barrel in .44 rimfire caliber. This rifle was produced in 1864. Standard features include two piece full octagon barrel and magazine tube, brass frame, walnut stock, and rifle butt. The Henry rifle was the first successful lever action repeating firearm that paved the way for the famous line of Winchester rifles. Given the short production period and the fact that no collection of Winchesters would be complete without at least one example, and that most saw very hard use, finding an all original attic-find untouched Henry is getting exceedingly difficult. This example has sharp barrel legend, rear barrel mounted folding ladder rear sight filling the only rear sight slot cut on rifle. Original front sight. Barrel and tube are a mottled mix of brown and gun metal patina. The lovely brass frame has turned a dark mustard hue. Side plates are the same color as the body of the frame with a nice tight fit but does have some mars at the top on right side. The Hammer and lever are basically brown patina. The inside lower tang is stamped 6685 and matches serial number on barrel. Original walnut stock is also stamped 6685 in upper tang cut. Left side of stock has the original sling swivel installed. Rifle sports very rare original tang sight. Brass buttplate is also stamped 6685. Neither of the buttplate screws have serial numbers. Buttplate has never been cleaned or polished. Original walnut stocks are in excellent condition; no cracks, chips, or repairs of any kind, retaining the majority of the original finish with some bubbling/abrasion on right side. Wood to metal fit at both upper and lower tang is flawless. Left side frame screws show very light marring. Lower frame screws are marred. Comes with a Waterston Arsenal 1864 U.S. leather bullet pouch with contemporary wood block. Overall, an extremely fine, unmessed with Civil War era Henry rifle that needs no apologies with a lovely, honest, homogenous look.