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One of the Finest Original 1st Model Henry Rifles

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:90,000.00 USD Estimated At:90,000.00 - 120,000.00 USD
One of the Finest Original 1st Model Henry Rifles
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA 92606
One of the Finest Early Original 1st Model Henry Rifles known to exist, #1191, .44 RF cal., 24'' contoured octagon barrel, early humpback brass frame with original dovetail cut just behind ejection port, brass buttplate with early round heel, case hardened hammer and lever, blue trigger, barrel with correct early small format address stamping ''Henry's Patent Oct. 16. 1860./Manufact'd by the New Haven Arms Co. New Haven. Conn.''. Perchbelly varnished walnut buttstock, as mfg'd without sling swivels, matching numbered screws with vertically indexed screw slots that have been hand fitted to the contour of the rifle at their individual locations, with ladder type rear sight marked ''300-900'', as positioned in forward dovetail, and correct nickel silver squareback front sight, which began very near this serial number. Mfg'd in the Fall of 1862, with all correct early features. Factory inspection mark consists of a center punch dot located at the extreme end of the lower receiver tang. Original four-piece hickory cleaning rod is retained. Condition is exceptional. Barrel retains approx. 96% original lightly thinning and toning blue; frame with even toffee-colored patina. Hammer with vivid slightly darkened case colors and trace areas of thinning to left side at actioning area. Faint case colors beneath moderately toning lever. Upper and lower tang screws, as well as buttplate screws, retain nearly all of their original blue finish. Domed hammer and lever axle screws show some thinning to top edges. Stock retains nearly all of its original varnish with only light scuffs predominantly on the right side. Action remains exceptionally crisp, six-groove barrel is near mirror bright showing virtually no use. 1st Model Henry rifles in this condition are nearly nonexistent, as almost all were called to duty during the Civil War. Est.: $90,000-$120,000. (Antique)