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VERY RARE ALEXANDER HENRY DETACHABLE BARREL BEST QUALITY SINGLE SHOT DROPPING BLOCK RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 16,000.00 USD
VERY RARE ALEXANDER HENRY DETACHABLE BARREL BEST QUALITY SINGLE SHOT DROPPING BLOCK RIFLE.
SN 6083. Cal. .450 BPE. 28" Tapered round bbl with ovate Nock form is fitted with one standing, one folding express rear sight, and longitudinally dovetailed front ivory bead, in island bases, and engraved "Alexr Henry, Edinburgh and London" at top rear. Bbl detaches from action with ingenious system of slight cone shaped mating of action to bbl, similar to how tapered lathe tools attach. Bbl is held against action by closely fitted large lug, which rotates into place on heavy extension of front of action, and is retained by pivoting lever. Bbl detachment is quickly effected as long as tension is put on opening lever so that extractor clears end of bbl. Case hardened action fitted with non-rebounding right hand lock with rebated tail, has typical Henry opening lever with spring detent latch. Lock is fitted with front sliding stalking safety, which engages at half cock. Action and lock are engraved with well cut, small scroll at nearly full coverage. "Alexr Henry" is in scrolled band on tail of lockplate. Serpentine hammer has stylized dolphin head. Top of receiver ring is engraved with use no. "Patent no. 2286". SN is on trigger guard tang. Finely streaked and lightly figured full horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-5/8" over Silver pad, and features slim, double shadow line right hand cheekpiece, and point pattern checkering at grip. Matching forend attaches to bbl with forward pivoting latch. Drop at heel: approx 2-9/16", drop at comb: approx 1-3/4". Weight: 7 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 14-5/8". CONDITION: Excellent. Bbl retains approx 95% orig bright blue, with some minor marks and scratches on left side, silvering at muzzle. Action retains 90% plus orig case hardening color, some light spotting, mostly on left side. Lock retains nearly all its orig color. Stocks retain most of their orig rubbed oil finish with numerous minor marks and dings. The pad has been cleaned up. Forend shows two repaired cracks emanating from bottom of action toward checkering, which shows light wear and dirt. Bore is fine with strong rifling throughout, slightly frosted. Action and lock are crisp. Takedown feature is very tight. Jonathan Kirton in his list of known Alexander rifles in THE BRITISH FALLING BLOCK BREECHLOADING RIFLE FROM 1865, notes only 8 takedown rifles. This fine example is one of the earliest.ÊÊ 4-47817 MGM74