1183

RARE TYPE II MARTIAL MODEL 1860 HENRY LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:17,500.00 USD Estimated At:35,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
RARE TYPE II MARTIAL MODEL 1860 HENRY LEVER ACTION RIFLE.
SN 7854. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Usual configuration with 24-1/4" oct bbl that has integral mag tube, last type square back German silver front sight and last type 900 yd Henry ladder rear sight. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered, slab sawed American walnut with straight stock and late style brass crescent buttplate with pointed heel and small trapdoor containing an orig 4-pc brass and iron cleaning rod. Left side of stock and left side of bbl contain factory sling swivels. The SN was observed in the usual places, on the top bbl flat between the receiver and rear sight, left side of lower tang under the wood, inside top tang channel of buttstock, and inside toe of buttplate. Top of the rnd section of bbl, under the loading sleeve, is marked with assembly number "597". Matching assembly number is also found on rear face of loading sleeve. Left side of wrist is stamped with tiny "J.T.", one of the set of inspector initials for Type II Martial Henry's. During the Civil War the federal government purchased a total of 1,731 Henry rifles, the majority of which were in the 3,000 serial range. It wasn't until recent years that it was discovered that approx 800 other Henry's were purchased on contracts in 1864-1865 and fall within the 7000 to 9000 serial range. The only martial identification is the tiny inspector initials on stock which are frequently worn away. These late Martial Henry's are generally thought to have been issued to the 3rd Veterans Volunteers. This unit was recruited from discharged veterans to form a corps of "shock troops", but given their late entry into the war were assigned patrol and picket duty in the protection of Washington D.C. and therefore saw very little actual combat action. As part of their enlistment bonus, these troops, with honorable service, upon discharge at their expiration of term of service, were allowed to retain their arms and accoutrements at no charge. It seems likely that all of the troops eligible to do so availed themselves of this opportunity. These fine Henry rifles were then taken home as hunting and defense weapons with many of them seeing hard service on the American Frontier during the great Westward expansion of Manifest Destiny. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching. Bbl and mag tube retain traces of orig blue, being mostly a smooth, even dark plummy brown attic patina with sharp markings. Receiver shows light edge wear with a very few, very minor nicks and scratches and retains a wonderful medium mustard patina. Hammer retains silvered and case colors on side and lever is dark brown patina with a couple spots of rust. Buttstock has a few small gouges on left side and a few light nicks and scratches and retains strong orig finish with a distinct Henry bump and a dark hand worn patina. Buttplate has a matching mustard patina. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a few, very light scattered spots of pitting. 4-47344 JR128