1086

VERY EARLY ENGRAVED HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
VERY EARLY ENGRAVED HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.
SN 654. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Usual configuration with 24-1/4" oct bbl that has integral magazine tube, early rnd top German silver front sight and first type 1000 yard Henry ladder rear sight. It has standard Henry Patent bbl markings on top flat. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock & first type crescent brass buttplate with round heel & trap which contains an orig 4-pc steel & hickory cleaning rod. Stock has the large hole under the trap to accommodate the hickory rod. All stock & buttplate screws are matching numbered. Stock may be a period of use replacement, possibly by the factory. Receiver & buttplate are made from "gun metal" which is a form of bronze and receiver also has a standard dovetail sight seat in the top flat. Receiver is very nicely engraved in L.D. Nimschke style with a leaping stag in a field scene surrounded by foliate arabesque patterns that have a pearled background. Right side is nearly identically engraved with an open panel. Both front side flats are engraved to match with feather patterns at the transition. Top of receiver & top tang are also engraved to match with zig-zag border patterns. Bottom of carrier is engraved in a Nimschke-style flower blossom with foliate arabesque patterns between the timing screws. Buttplate tang is engraved to match. SN is found on top flat on the bbl just forward of receiver, left side of lower tang under the wood, inside top tang channel of buttstock and inside buttplate tang. Rnd part of bbl under the loading sleeve is marked with assembly number "166" which number is also found on rear face of loading sleeve. CONDITION: Fine, all matching. Bbl retains 15-20% thin orig blue, mostly in the gullets, with the balance a fine, even plum patina; receiver & buttplate are a medium mustard patina showing light edge wear. Stock has a couple of repaired chips in the toe, otherwise is sound with a series of small gouges on right side, a few light nicks & scratches and retains most of its fine orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, strong bore with good shine & scattered pitting. 4-47621 JR134