April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
The left side of the frame is engraved "Presented to SARGt Iven L. Bailey Co. C. 51st Regt ILLs. Vols. by his friends of Iroquois Co. ILLs for good conduct as a soldier July 4th 1865". Iven Bailey joined the service as a Corporal and was mustered out as a First Lieutenant, which would indicate this rifle was purchased and inscribed a little too early. The regiment was formed in December of 1861 and fought as a unit until September 1865. They were in numerous battles during this time to include several major bloody theaters of war such as Chickamauga, Georgia in September 1863; Missionary Ridge, Tennessee in November 1863; Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia in June 1864; the Battle of Atlanta from July to September 1864. During the conflict a total of 106 enlisted men were killed, including nine officers. As for the rifle itself, it is a late commercial with an Oliver Winchester "W" stamp on lower tang. The frame was factory nickel plated over brass and is not cut for a rear sight. Full octagon barrel has the folding rear sight with knife blade front sight, full magazine, tube mounted lanyard loop, high mounted left side sling swivel on rear stock, nickel plated brass buttplate, walnut buttstock, case colored hammer, and lever. Serial number 6544 stamped at breech of barrel. Henry's patent barrel address stamped on rear flat. All details taken from the book by Les Quick on Henry rifles: Page 57 shows the larger beveled frame. Page 56 shows the octagon top receiver. Page 63 shows the later large trigger retaining pin. Page 75 shows the later large barrel address stamp. Page 81 shows the straight, rectangular cut in the receiver to accept the early smaller cartridge follower. Page 90, top picture, shows the obtuse angle of stock comb. Page 100 shows the small buttstock cleaning rod hole. Page 107 shows the later style buttplate with pointed heel. Page 113 shows the high mounted left side sling swivel. Page 122, figure D, shows the rear sight with the Type A sliding bar. Rear sight is barrel mounted only. CONDITION: Barrel legends are sharp. Barrel and magazine are basically a smooth, soft, homogeneous patina with some very light age freckling. The frame retains approximately 90% of the silver plated finish with wear on high edges only. Engraving on left side is extremely sharp. Frame screws retain nearly all of their brilliant nitre blue, as does the rear of the bolt. Case colors on hammer and lever have basically patterned out and darkened. Wood to metal fit is excellent. Buttstock is excellent with no cracks or chips, just the usual normal handling marks. Buttplate retains approximately 80% silver plated finish. Fine action. Clean, well defined, and sharp rifling with minimal frosting in grooves. Perfect action. This is an extremely handsome and well cared for presentation rifle. The scenario is familiar: hometown boy makes good, town purchases rifle as a gift four months after war ends, and presents to him at the town 4th of July picnic and celebration where he would have ascended the podium to accept his prize from the proud local townspeople. The day was probably dedicated to him and would have been a source of pride to the entire Bailey family. CORRECTION: Upon further inspection, it has been determined frame and buttplate are silver plated.