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Winning Bid US $1470 First bid $1000 Quantity 1 # of bids 5 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2025-05-07 00:00:00 Ended 2025-11-21 22:35:25

Alexander Henry, Model Drop Block Hammer Rifle, CAL: 450 3 1/4, MFG: ca. 1870-80 Antique, SN: 1762, Lever Drop block Rifle, 24'' barrel. Alexander Henry of Edinburgh was one of the pre-eminent European rifle maker in the mid to second half of the 19th century. Henry patented his drop block rifle in 1865 & of its type, it was by far the most successful & commonly encountered rifle of the era. Henry offered the rifle in three qualities, BEST, SECOND & THIRD, with best quality pre-dominating. This appears to be an eample of his ''SECOND'' quality as it does no display the engraving &detailing seen on his ''BEST'' quality. These Henry rifles are quite magnificent in terms of their quality, engraving & construction, & secured his reputation along with the very high numbers of double rifles built. Alexander Henry offered his drop block rifles in a variety of calibres from the massive .577 big game calibre to the diminutive .360 rook calibre. However, out of all the calibres, the .450 3 1/4 '' Black Powder Express round was by far the most common suitable for deer stalking at home & sport abroad. Alexander Henry worked closely with he Superintendent of The Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, Edward Boxer (1819-1898) & designed the new .450 cartridge that was straight, 3 1/4'' long & filled with 4 drams of black powder propelling a 320 grain bullet. Various other loads could be used & this Henry cartridge remained the standard for most of his rifles both single & double until the advent of cordite & smaller calibres at the close of the 19th century.

On this rifle, the checkered & straight grip wood stocks are excellent, with very few tiny handling marks to the high gloss finish. The case-hardened receiver has worn mostly silver, with the receiver, lever, trigger guard, & upper tang all feature vine & scroll border hand engraving. The metal parts other than the receiver all carry a professional reblue, which rates 95% on the barrel, 85% on the rest of the parts. The top of the barrel is engraved ''ALEX.R HENRY. 12 SOUTH ST. ANDREW ST. EDINBURGH. PATENT NOS. 1111 AND 95'', with British proofs on the side-left toward the rear. Top of the receiver collar is engraved ''PATENT No. 95''. The barrel holds a two-leaf rear sight on a raised base, along with a long blade on raised base front sight. Bore is excellent. The buttend holds a checkered metal buttplate, with flip-down trapdoor access. Overall excellent restored condition on this hand crafted rifle. Antique, No FFL Req. - Value: 2000 to 4000

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Price

Alexander Henry, Model Drop Block Hammer Rifle, CAL: 450 3 1/4, ... Item # 4090 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $1470

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