Revised: 10/20/2017

Please Note: This important Henry Presentation rifle to John Brown is featured in the latest book by noted author, Donald Dallas, “Alexander Henry, Rifle Maker”. Available from the author this fall for 60 (GBP). A brief video can be viewed on Julia’s website.

ALEXANDER HENRY DOUBLE RIFLE PRESENTED CHRISTMAS 1873 BY QUEEN VICTORIA TO HER ESTEEMED SCOTTISH SERVANT, FRIEND, CONFIDANTE, (LOVER? MORGANATIC HUSBAND?), AND SAVIOR JOHN BROWN, WITH ORIGINAL CASE AND ACCESSORIES, PLUS SUPPORTING BOOKS AND DVD.

SN 3210. (1873) Cal. .450BPE. This fine rifle was given to John Brown for Christmas in 1873. He saved Queen Victoria from an assassination attempt in Buckingham Palace gardens on 29 Feb 1872. Before this time Brown had been a gillie and servant to both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert during their visits to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Brown had become a particular favorite and confidante of the Queen. After the death of Albert in 1861, her period of mourning finished, the Queen returned to Balmoral in 1863. Shortly thereafter she was involved in a coaching accident with Brown in attendance. Brown quickly recovered his composure and assisted the Queen. After this incident the Queen became inseparable from Brown, and he became not only her highland companion but he was brought to Windsor Palace in London to act as her full time personal attendant and “gatekeeper”. In later years the pair remained inseparable and even had adjoining rooms. The Queen was often snidely referred to as “Mrs. Brown” or “Empress Brown”. There were even rumors that they were secretly married as Victoria wore Brown’s mother’s wedding ring for the rest of her life; and was even secretly buried with it on her finger. This rifle is the only known firearm personally presented by Queen Victoria to any individual. It has 28″ “best” chopper lump Damascus bbls with full length rib, holding one standing, one folding leaf express rear sight, with folding leaf (marked for 200 yards), as well as a small silver bead front sight. Rib is file cut behind the rear sight, and from approx 6″ in front of that sight to the muzzles. The unmatted portion is engraved “Alexr Henry. 12. South St. Andrew St Edinburgh. Patent No 2377.” (Use number for Henry rifling) and “Maker to Their Royal Highnesses’ The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh”. Bbl flats are stamped with SN and “A.H”. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with London black powder proofs, as well as chopper lump Damascus patent number “2673” over a hammer logo, and “Henry’s patent A&T 1355” and “1356”. Adams and Tate were bbl makers and the numbers represent individual tubes they made on which royalties were to be paid to Henry. A sling eye is attached to bottom rib. Round bodied Jones underlever action is fitted with back action peninsula non-rebounding locks having tall spurred round bodied serpentine hammers and front sliding stalking safeties that engage at half cock. Action and locks are engraved with 70% coverage well cut varying sized scroll with some small scroll borders in classic “best” fashion. “ALEXr HENRY” is in swagged riband on each lockplate. SN is on trigger guard tang. Very fine, highly stump figured, and nicely marbled European walnut horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 15″ over checkered wood butt with engraved steel heel and toe plates. Stock also features small beaded shadow line cheekpiece, classic point pattern checkering at grip, and a sling eye matching that on bbl on toe line. Left side of stock behind cheekpiece has inlet 1-1/8″ high gold shield engraved “FROM” “V.R.” “TO” “J. BROWN ESQr” “CHRISTMAS” “1873”. Matching splinter forend with inlet fancy steel tip attaches to bbls with captive side bolt through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 3″, drop at comb: approx 2-1/16″. Weight: 8 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 15″. Rifle is accompanied by its orig oak and leather case with shaped brass corners, in a style unique to Alexander Henry. There are traces of gold wash on corners. There is a small circular central brass medallion on top. Leather is gold embossed “J. BROWN ESQ. H. M. P. ATTENDANT” “BALMORAL”. Interior is lined in tan pigskin, and has Alexander Henry paper label in lid, with 12 South St. Andrew Street address. Case has lift-out tray revealing cartridge storage area below. Tray houses rifle and contains a near complete array of tools, and other accessories for reloading and cleaning, including a steel Davis type mold marked with this guns SN casting a conical bullet, along with hollow pointing pin with ebony handle, a Bartram leather covered powder flask with German silver head and spout, green japanned and German silver capper/ decapper, ebony handled bullet fixer with this rifles SN, steel nipple key with spare nipples and firing pins under brass cap, wad punch, 2-pc rosewood and brass cleaning rod with jag, round pewter oil bottle, and a rosewood patch container. Also there is an ebony handled turn screw which does not quite match remainder of accessories. Also included is a large modern aluminum and blue plastic shipping case with cut outs for rifle. This exact rifle was once part of the famous Clay P. Bedford collection and is documented in the book “Early Firearms of Great Britain and Ireland from the Collection of Clay P. Bedford” published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art on page 103. The book accompanied the Met’s exhibition of the Clay P. Bedford collection in the early 1970s, and this rifle was considered the most important firearm of the exhibit. PROVENANCE: Voluminous consignor’s notes. Factory letter confirming this rifle was completed on 20 Dec 1873 for “Her Majesty the Queen (for John Brown)”. It is recorded as having 28″ bbls with patent use no. 2376. Books: “Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands, From 1848 to 1861” ed, by Arthur Helps (1868), “More Leaves from the Journal of a Life In the Highlands from 1862 to 1882”, and “John Brown: Queen Victoria’s Highland Servant” by Raymond Lamont-Brown. Also included is a DVD “Her Majesty Mrs. Brown” starring Judi Dench and Billy Connolly. CONDITION: Very fine, original, as found. Bbls retain most, perhaps as much as 75%, orig brown having excellent definition to Damascus pattern, with a number of scuffs and marks, some fairly deep. Action retains 30% – 40″ orig case hardening color, generally faded overall, but quite strong where protected, especially between hammers. Left lock is in similar condition, right lock exhibits considerably more orig color, approaching 70%. Loss on left side can most likely be attributed to light exposure from exhibition over the years. Stocks retain most of their orig hand rubbed oil finish with numerous marks, scratches, and bumps associated with many years of stalking in the braes above Balmoral. Checkering is somewhat worn, especially on forend where it is considerably flattened. Bores are very fine, shiny with scattered pitting throughout, heaviest in left bbl. Rifling is still strong. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Case leather is good, considerably darkened, with numerous bumps, rubs, and scuffs. Gold of embossing is somewhat faded. Interior leather is very good to fine with considerable rubs and soiling. Label is good, foxed, with some areas of soiling and rubs. Lift-out tray has one of the velvet lift tabs detached. All partitions remain intact, but show some rubs and stains. Accessories are generally very fine. New shipping case is fine. It is hard to imagine a rifle with a more ironclad, interesting and romantic royal provenance. 51678-1 MGM (50,000-80,000) – Lot 1560

The following video, used with permission, highlights a new book by Donald Dallas for which he collaborated with the great great grandson and great great great grandson of Alexander Henry. This very gun is referenced in the video and in the book, which is is available from http://www.donalddallas.com

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - October 2017

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
	1560	$74,750.00	Revised: 10/20/2017 Please Note: This important Henry Presentation rifle to John Brown is featured in the latest book by noted author, Donald Dallas, “Alexander Henry, Rifle Maker”. Available from the author this fall for 60 (GBP). A brief video can be viewed on Julia’s website. ALEXANDER HENRY DOUBLE RIFLE PRESENTED CHRISTMAS 1873 BY QUEEN VICTORIA TO HER ESTEEMED SCOTTISH SERVANT, FRIEND, CONFIDANTE, (LOVER? MORGANATIC HUSBAND?), AND SAVIOR JOHN BROWN, WITH ORIGINAL CASE AND ACCESSORIES, PLUS SUPPORTING BOOKS AND DVD. SN 3210. (1873) Cal. .450BPE. This fine rifle was given to John Brown for Christmas in 1873. He saved Queen Victoria from an assassination attempt in Buckingham Palace gardens on 29 Feb 1872. Before this time Brown had been a gillie and servant to both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert during their visits to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Brown had become a particular favorite and confidante of the Queen. After the death of Albert in 1861, her period of mourning finished, the Queen returned to Balmoral in 1863. Shortly thereafter she was involved in a coaching accident with Brown in attendance. Brown quickly recovered his composure and assisted the Queen. After this incident the Queen became inseparable from Brown, and he became not only her highland companion but he was brought to Windsor Palace in London to act as her full time personal attendant and “gatekeeper”. In later years the pair remained inseparable and even had adjoining rooms. The Queen was often snidely referred to as “Mrs. Brown” or “Empress Brown”. There were even rumors that they were secretly married as Victoria wore Brown’s mother’s wedding ring for the rest of her life; and was even secretly buried with it on her finger. This rifle is the only known firearm personally presented by Queen Victoria to any individual. It has 28″ “best” chopper lump Damascus bbls with full length rib, holding one standing, one folding leaf express rear sight, with folding leaf (marked for 200 yards), as well as a small silver bead front sight. Rib is file cut behind the rear sight, and from approx 6″ in front of that sight to the muzzles. The unmatted portion is engraved “Alexr Henry. 12. South St. Andrew St Edinburgh. Patent No 2377.” (Use number for Henry rifling) and “Maker to Their Royal Highnesses’ The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh”. Bbl flats are stamped with SN and “A.H”. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with London black powder proofs, as well as chopper lump Damascus patent number “2673” over a hammer logo, and “Henry’s patent A&T 1355” and “1356”. Adams and Tate were bbl makers and the numbers represent individual tubes they made on which royalties were to be paid to Henry. A sling eye is attached to bottom rib. Round bodied Jones underlever action is fitted with back action peninsula non-rebounding locks having tall spurred round bodied serpentine hammers and front sliding stalking safeties that engage at half cock. Action and locks are engraved with 70% coverage well cut varying sized scroll with some small scroll borders in classic “best” fashion. “ALEXr HENRY” is in swagged riband on each lockplate. SN is on trigger guard tang. Very fine, highly stump figured, and nicely marbled European walnut horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 15″ over checkered wood butt with engraved steel heel and toe plates. Stock also features small beaded shadow line cheekpiece, classic point pattern checkering at grip, and a sling eye matching that on bbl on toe line. Left side of stock behind cheekpiece has inlet 1-1/8″ high gold shield engraved “FROM” “V.R.” “TO” “J. BROWN ESQr” “CHRISTMAS” “1873”. Matching splinter forend with inlet fancy steel tip attaches to bbls with captive side bolt through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 3″, drop at comb: approx 2-1/16″. Weight: 8 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 15″. Rifle is accompanied by its orig oak and leather case with shaped brass corners, in a style unique to Alexander Henry. There are traces of gold wash on corners. There is a small circular central brass medallion on top. Leather is gold embossed “J. BROWN ESQ. H. M. P. ATTENDANT” “BALMORAL”. Interior is lined in tan pigskin, and has Alexander Henry paper label in lid, with 12 South St. Andrew Street address. Case has lift-out tray revealing cartridge storage area below. Tray houses rifle and contains a near complete array of tools, and other accessories for reloading and cleaning, including a steel Davis type mold marked with this guns SN casting a conical bullet, along with hollow pointing pin with ebony handle, a Bartram leather covered powder flask with German silver head and spout, green japanned and German silver capper/ decapper, ebony handled bullet fixer with this rifles SN, steel nipple key with spare nipples and firing pins under brass cap, wad punch, 2-pc rosewood and brass cleaning rod with jag, round pewter oil bottle, and a rosewood patch container. Also there is an ebony handled turn screw which does not quite match remainder of accessories. Also included is a large modern aluminum and blue plastic shipping case with cut outs for rifle. This exact rifle was once part of the famous Clay P. Bedford collection and is documented in the book “Early Firearms of Great Britain and Ireland from the Collection of Clay P. Bedford” published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art on page 103. The book accompanied the Met’s exhibition of the Clay P. Bedford collection in the early 1970s, and this rifle was considered the most important firearm of the exhibit. PROVENANCE: Voluminous consignor’s notes. Factory letter confirming this rifle was completed on 20 Dec 1873 for “Her Majesty the Queen (for John Brown)”. It is recorded as having 28″ bbls with patent use no. 2376. Books: “Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands, From 1848 to 1861” ed, by Arthur Helps (1868), “More Leaves from the Journal of a Life In the Highlands from 1862 to 1882”, and “John Brown: Queen Victoria’s Highland Servant” by Raymond Lamont-Brown. Also included is a DVD “Her Majesty Mrs. Brown” starring Judi Dench and Billy Connolly. CONDITION: Very fine, original, as found. Bbls retain most, perhaps as much as 75%, orig brown having excellent definition to Damascus pattern, with a number of scuffs and marks, some fairly deep. Action retains 30% – 40″ orig case hardening color, generally faded overall, but quite strong where protected, especially between hammers. Left lock is in similar condition, right lock exhibits considerably more orig color, approaching 70%. Loss on left side can most likely be attributed to light exposure from exhibition over the years. Stocks retain most of their orig hand rubbed oil finish with numerous marks, scratches, and bumps associated with many years of stalking in the braes above Balmoral. Checkering is somewhat worn, especially on forend where it is considerably flattened. Bores are very fine, shiny with scattered pitting throughout, heaviest in left bbl. Rifling is still strong. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Case leather is good, considerably darkened, with numerous bumps, rubs, and scuffs. Gold of embossing is somewhat faded. Interior leather is very good to fine with considerable rubs and soiling. Label is good, foxed, with some areas of soiling and rubs. Lift-out tray has one of the velvet lift tabs detached. All partitions remain intact, but show some rubs and stains. Accessories are generally very fine. New shipping case is fine. It is hard to imagine a rifle with a more ironclad, interesting and romantic royal provenance. 51678-1 MGM (50,000-80,000) – Lot 1560 The following video, used with permission, highlights a new book by Donald Dallas for which he collaborated with the great great grandson and great great great grandson of Alexander Henry. This very gun is referenced in the video and in the book, which is is available from http://www.donalddallas.com Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - October 2017 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

ALEXANDER HENRY DOUBLE RIFLE PRESENTED CHRISTMAS 1873 BY QUEEN VICTORIA TO HER ESTEEMED SCOTTISH SERVANT, FRIEND, CONFIDANTE, (LOVER? MORGANATIC HUSBAND?), AND SAVIOR JOHN BROWN, WITH ORIGINAL CASE AND ACCESSORIES, PLUS SUPPORTING BOOKS AND DVD.