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1860 Henry rifle, .44 rimfire cal., brown finish on barrel, nickel finish on frame, deluxe wood stoc

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:NA Estimated At:25,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
1860 Henry rifle, .44 rimfire cal., brown finish on barrel, nickel finish on frame, deluxe wood stoc
All items are as is, no warranty or claims and All SALES ARE FINAL. Please examine prior to bidding as it is the bidder's responsibilty to establish condition, age, genuineness, value or any other determinative factors.
1860 Henry rifle, .44 rimfire cal., brown finish on barrel, nickel finish on frame, deluxe wood stock, #3181. This interesting Henry rifle is somewhat an enigma showing CGC and HC military-type inspection marks on the right side of the breech and right side of the frame, and is serial numbered in the Martial range. However, the barrels are finely ground with a tobacco brown finish, which is occasionally seen on Henry rifles, and the frame is heavily nickel plated. The stock is a select burl walnut. The buttplate is nickel plated over brass and is #3181. It is our opinion that this was a Martial Henry, probably returned, and Winchester nickeled the frame, browned the barrel and added deluxe wood to sell it on the commercial market. Often, military condemned or returned arms were engraved or ornamented in order to make them more desirable to the commercial market. The barrel shows 80%-90% period brown finish. The frame shows 90%-95% old nickel, which is a nice, pleasing uncleaned satin color. The buttplate shows 75% drifting and toning original nickel finish. The buttstock shows 90%-95% varnish with a pleasing burl wood grain, such as found on a fine Henry rifle, with some scratches, mars and dings. There are traces of case hardening showing within the patina on the hammer. The lever has drifted to brown. The markings are sharp. The edges are crisp. The action and bore are good. The serial number on the barrel shows a double strike on this #8. Est.: $25,000-$50,000.