Lot 3233 : Magnificent Deluxe Factory Engraved, Gold-Plated Henry Lever-Action Rifle -- One of the Finest Known Examples in Existence
Rock Island Auction - Moline - 08 September 2008
Premiere Firearms Auction Day III
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Title:
Magnificent Deluxe Factory Engraved, Gold-Plated Henry Lever-Action Rifle -- One of the Finest Known Examples in Existence
Description:
Magnificent Deluxe Factory Engraved, Gold-Plated Henry Lever-Action Rifle -- One of the Finest Known Examples in Existence
This is a truly extra ordinary example of a Deluxe Factory Hoggson engraved gold finished Henry rifle manufactured by the New Haven Arms company in 1863. The rifle has the early style receiver with rear sight dove tail and early buttplate with rounded heel. The left side of the stock is fitted with a sling swivel and the left side of the barrel has a loop for a sling hook. The loading lever has a spur to engage the loading lever latch on the lower receiver tang. The barrel is fitted with a folding leaf rear sight with a 900-yard center notch and a German silver front sight blade with squared back. The rifle is complete with the original four-piece, hickory, cleaning rod. The rifle has a blued barrel, case-hardened loading lever and hammer and gold-plated receiver and buttplate. The stock is rosewood with a high gloss, varnished 'piano' finish. The rifle is engraved by Samuel J. Hoggson who embellished most of the factory engraved Henry rifles. The engraving follows the typical pattern for Hoggson engraved Henry rifles and features elaborate scrollwork on a punch-dot background on the right side plate, a running deer surrounded by scroll work on the left side plate, large floral designs on both sides of the receiver in front of the side plates and scrollwork flourishes with a punch-dot background on the top of the receiver, upper tang and butt plate heel. A Henry rifle with nearly identical engraving is illustrated on page 18 of "THE BOOK OF WINCHESTER ENGRAVING" by R.L. Wilson. The top of the receiver is roll-stamped with the first pattern legend: "HENRYS PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO. NEWHAVEN.CT." in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The serial number, "2381" is stamped on the top barrel flat behind the rear sight. This rifle is one of the most elaborately decorated Henry Rifles extant. It is accompanied by a copy of a letter from firearms historian R.L. Wilson that describes the rifle as "RARE and EXCEPTIONAL" and "One of the Finest Known Examples of the Henry Rifle" and a second letter in which Wilson states that he is "very, very impressed with Henry Rifle No. 2381".
Condition:
Excellent. The rifle retains at over 95% of the original blue finish on the barrel with the balance a crisp plum-colored patina. The loading lever and hammer have a gray-brown patina with traces of the original muted case colors. At least 90% of the original gold-plated finish is present on the receiver and buttplate. Finish wear is limited to the upper receiver tang and the high-points and sides of the receiver behind the side plate. The stock is in exceptional condition and retains nearly all of the original high gloss varnish finish with only very minor handling marks. The barrel legend and serial number are crisp. The cleaning rod is in nearly new condition. This magnificent rifle is the finest engraved Henry rifle ever offered by the Rock Island Auction Company and one of the finest Henry Rifles extant. Writer feels that if one can afford this spectacular rifle, they should quite simply own it. It is as good as it gets!
