EXTREMELY RARE FULL NICKEL ENGRAVED HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 9389. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Usual configuration with 24-1/4″ oct bbl with integral magazine, late style square back German silver front sight and late style 900 yard Henry ladder rear sight. Mounted with very unusual deluxe, uncheckered American walnut buttstock with straight grip and late style crescent buttplate with sharp heel and trap that contains a 4-pc brass & iron cleaning rod. SN was observed in the usual places, on top flat of bbl between receiver & rear sight, on left side of lower tang under the wood, inside top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. The rnd portion of the bbl, under the loading sleeve is marked with assembly number “91”. The matching assembly number is also found on rear face of loading sleeve. Receiver is engraved by Samuel Hoggson with a bird dog on point on left side surrounded by very well-executed foliate arabesque patterns and a dbl border. Right side of receiver is engraved with a large panel of intertwined foliate arabesque patterns which are also on the top three flats of the receiver, around rear edge and on top tang. Buttplate tang is engraved to match. Left side of buttstock & left side of bbl are mounted with factory installed sling swivels. This rifle, identified by SN, is pictured full length, both sides, on pp. 174 & 175, and closeup photos of left side on pp. 149 & 176 with credit to the Norm Vegely Collection in the book The Henry Rifle, Quick. Mr. Quick, in the referenced publication, states that plated & engraved rifles were common in the early production of this model but as the Civil War progressed “the manufacture of specially embellished and plated rifles declined. At the peak of production, during the Civil War, it has been reported that the company discouraged the placing of such special-feature orders.” A copy of the referenced book accompanies this rifle. This rifle would have been produced in about 1865, probably just around the end of the Civil War. It seems likely that it would have been ordered by someone of importance or as a presentation for a high ranking military officer or civilian official. Regardless, it is a most rare & unusual Henry rifle with deluxe wood. CONDITION: Very fine plus, all matching. Overall retains about 90% strong orig nickel with some light wear on the carry point on the bottom of the magazine and edges of the receiver. The loading sleeve shows areas of flaking to bare metal which has turned to a dark patina. Stock has a repaired chip at the top left side of the tang, at the receiver, otherwise wood is sound with light nicks & scratches and a series of tiny gouges & scratches by the left heel and retains a wonderful hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with scattered pitting turning dark in the grooves. 4-50317 (75,000-125,000) – Lot 1104

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

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
	1104	$69,000.00	EXTREMELY RARE FULL NICKEL ENGRAVED HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 9389. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Usual configuration with 24-1/4″ oct bbl with integral magazine, late style square back German silver front sight and late style 900 yard Henry ladder rear sight. Mounted with very unusual deluxe, uncheckered American walnut buttstock with straight grip and late style crescent buttplate with sharp heel and trap that contains a 4-pc brass & iron cleaning rod. SN was observed in the usual places, on top flat of bbl between receiver & rear sight, on left side of lower tang under the wood, inside top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. The rnd portion of the bbl, under the loading sleeve is marked with assembly number “91”. The matching assembly number is also found on rear face of loading sleeve. Receiver is engraved by Samuel Hoggson with a bird dog on point on left side surrounded by very well-executed foliate arabesque patterns and a dbl border. Right side of receiver is engraved with a large panel of intertwined foliate arabesque patterns which are also on the top three flats of the receiver, around rear edge and on top tang. Buttplate tang is engraved to match. Left side of buttstock & left side of bbl are mounted with factory installed sling swivels. This rifle, identified by SN, is pictured full length, both sides, on pp. 174 & 175, and closeup photos of left side on pp. 149 & 176 with credit to the Norm Vegely Collection in the book The Henry Rifle, Quick. Mr. Quick, in the referenced publication, states that plated & engraved rifles were common in the early production of this model but as the Civil War progressed “the manufacture of specially embellished and plated rifles declined. At the peak of production, during the Civil War, it has been reported that the company discouraged the placing of such special-feature orders.” A copy of the referenced book accompanies this rifle. This rifle would have been produced in about 1865, probably just around the end of the Civil War. It seems likely that it would have been ordered by someone of importance or as a presentation for a high ranking military officer or civilian official. Regardless, it is a most rare & unusual Henry rifle with deluxe wood. CONDITION: Very fine plus, all matching. Overall retains about 90% strong orig nickel with some light wear on the carry point on the bottom of the magazine and edges of the receiver. The loading sleeve shows areas of flaking to bare metal which has turned to a dark patina. Stock has a repaired chip at the top left side of the tang, at the receiver, otherwise wood is sound with light nicks & scratches and a series of tiny gouges & scratches by the left heel and retains a wonderful hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with scattered pitting turning dark in the grooves. 4-50317 (75,000-125,000) – Lot 1104 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 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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EXTREMELY RARE FULL NICKEL ENGRAVED HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.