RARE HENRY MODEL 1860 IRON FRAME LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

RARE HENRY MODEL 1860 IRON FRAME LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 78. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Fine early rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl that has integral magazine, slightly altered German silver front sight and early second type ladder tang sight, graduated to 900 yards without slide stop screw. Sight is mounted in top flat of receiver and there is no seat on the bbl. Trigger pin is of the early smaller size as is the brass magazine follower. Magazine follower tab slot in bottom front of the receiver is without the milled flat as found on later editions. SN is found on top flat of bbl just forward of the receiver, on left side of lower tang under the wood, inside top tang channel of buttstock and inside tang of buttplate. Buttplate is also of iron with large trap and correspondingly large hole in the wood to accommodate the orig 4-pc hickory cleaning rod that would have accompanied this rifle, which is now missing. The cleaning rod hole in the wood is beveled at the top & bottom for an unknown reason. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock and first type iron buttplate. Left side of buttstock has a factory sling swivel with corresponding loop and orig ring on left side of bbl. Rnd part of bbl, under the loading sleeve, is marked with assembly number “225” which number is also found on rear face of the loading sleeve. Further forward on the rifle is another smaller number “229”. Screws are all matching numbered and are of the earlier thinner head style. Lever is first type without latch and appears to have an old forged repair near the hinge. Top & bottom tangs also appear to have old forged repairs, probably from the factory as those areas were weak points on the receiver. According to a chart on p. 54 of The Henry Rifle, Quick, this SN is duplicated on a brass frame Henry which is one of 16 reported duplicate numbers, attributed to clerical errors at the factory. The referenced publication indicates that the highest numbered iron frame Henry known is #355. Mr. Quick further states that as of the writing of his book (2008), there were 167 iron frame Henrys known to exist. Accompanied by a 5-page letter from renowned Winchester historian & author, George Madis, wherein he details much of the above information. Altogether a rare & desirable collectible Henry that would complement any Winchester collection or museum display. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching. Overall retains a smooth, even dark plum/blue patina with sharp edges and only a few minor nicks & scratches. Stock has repaired internal crack, not visible from the outside and is solid with a series of gouges on the bottom and overall retains a dark hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with good shine and scattered fine pitting with a ring about 4″ from the muzzle. 4-47623 JR137 (40,000-60,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1082	$63,250.00	RARE HENRY MODEL 1860 IRON FRAME LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 78. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Fine early rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl that has integral magazine, slightly altered German silver front sight and early second type ladder tang sight, graduated to 900 yards without slide stop screw. Sight is mounted in top flat of receiver and there is no seat on the bbl. Trigger pin is of the early smaller size as is the brass magazine follower. Magazine follower tab slot in bottom front of the receiver is without the milled flat as found on later editions. SN is found on top flat of bbl just forward of the receiver, on left side of lower tang under the wood, inside top tang channel of buttstock and inside tang of buttplate. Buttplate is also of iron with large trap and correspondingly large hole in the wood to accommodate the orig 4-pc hickory cleaning rod that would have accompanied this rifle, which is now missing. The cleaning rod hole in the wood is beveled at the top & bottom for an unknown reason. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock and first type iron buttplate. Left side of buttstock has a factory sling swivel with corresponding loop and orig ring on left side of bbl. Rnd part of bbl, under the loading sleeve, is marked with assembly number “225” which number is also found on rear face of the loading sleeve. Further forward on the rifle is another smaller number “229”. Screws are all matching numbered and are of the earlier thinner head style. Lever is first type without latch and appears to have an old forged repair near the hinge. Top & bottom tangs also appear to have old forged repairs, probably from the factory as those areas were weak points on the receiver. According to a chart on p. 54 of The Henry Rifle, Quick, this SN is duplicated on a brass frame Henry which is one of 16 reported duplicate numbers, attributed to clerical errors at the factory. The referenced publication indicates that the highest numbered iron frame Henry known is #355. Mr. Quick further states that as of the writing of his book (2008), there were 167 iron frame Henrys known to exist. Accompanied by a 5-page letter from renowned Winchester historian & author, George Madis, wherein he details much of the above information. Altogether a rare & desirable collectible Henry that would complement any Winchester collection or museum display. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching. Overall retains a smooth, even dark plum/blue patina with sharp edges and only a few minor nicks & scratches. Stock has repaired internal crack, not visible from the outside and is solid with a series of gouges on the bottom and overall retains a dark hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with good shine and scattered fine pitting with a ring about 4″ from the muzzle. 4-47623 JR137 (40,000-60,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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