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LOT 3297
Spectacular Cased Game Scene Engraved Alexander Henry “Best Quality”
Half-Stock Percussion Rifle - Serial no. 792, 45 cal., 32 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/
casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Gunmaker Alexander Henry trained under Thomas
Elsworth Mortimer in Edinburgh before establishing his own shop and became one of the
most celebrated riflemakers in history thanks to his development of his own system of rifling
as well as accurate long range rifles. This rifle was manufactured c.
1862 and is recored on page 254 of “Alexander Henry: Rifle Maker”
by Donald Dallas as a best single barrel muzzle loading rifle in
.451 caliber with patent use number 358 for Henry’s distinctive
rifling. It also has patent use number 39 for Henry’s “Rifle Stock
Elevator” patented in 1861. The elevator features an adjustable
leather covered cheekpiece adjusted via a threaded knob on
the underside of the stock. The right side of the cheekpiece
is marked “HENRY’S PATENT ELEVATOR/No. 39” and the lower
hardware has “HENRY’S/Patent No 39”. The browned Damascus
barrel has a deep crown, a windage adjustable globe front
sight, matted top flat for the first 19 inches, “PATENT No 358
GAUGE 453.” marked ahead of the elevation adjustable notch
rear sight which is graduated out to 1,200 yards, “ALEXR.
HENRY 8 SOUTH ST. ANDREW ST. EDINBURGH” on top at the
breech, and a casehardened breech with a lion engraved on
top, scrollwork, and a platinum plug. The casehardened lock
features scenes of a tiger and stag, scrollwork, a sliding safety
ahead of the hammer, and “ALEXR. HENRY” signed below the
hammer. “Joseph Brazier/ASHES” is engraved inside the lock.
A further tiger scene is featured on the trigger guard which
is numbered “792”, another lion is featured at the heel, and
the patchbox features an elephant scene. The figured walnut
half-stock has a dark horn forend cap, tear drop flats, multi-
point checkering, and a sling eye.
The corresponding eye is on the second ramrod ferrule. The ramrod is numbered to the gun. The leather lined oak
case features an Alexander Henry trade label and contains an array of accessories, including a powder flask and
sling. A 1959 receipt for the rifle from Martin B. Retting. Inc. and a certificate of authenticity for Norman R. Blank
from F. Theodore Dexter are included. The latter notes the rifle as “Mint” and the accessories as “outstanding.”
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with crisp engraving and markings, sharp checkering, 95% plus original finish, and
generally only minor age and storage related wear. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are generally
very fine aside from a cracked container.
Provenance: Martin B. Retting, Inc.; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 13,000 - 19,000
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