Page 16 - 4096-FLIPBOOK3

LOT 3012
Highly Desirable Samuel Hoggson Factory Game Panel Scene
Engraved Factory Gilt Finish New Haven Arms Co. First Model Henry Lever Action Rifle with Cleaning Rod
- Serial no. 2377, 44 Henry RF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold gilt finish, rosewood stock. Manufactured in 1863,
during the height of the American Civil War, this is a highly desirable example of the New Haven Arms Co. Henry rifle
that was factory engraved by Samuel Hoggson and given an attractive, gold gilt finish on the receiver. These Henrys were
one of the most advanced firearms of the time, and many saw hard use during the war and continued to see similar use
in the harsh environment of the American frontier. Many of these rifles didn’t survive such use, leaving surviving examples
desirable in any condition. Factory engraved Henry rifles are scarce and among the most desirable of all the antique firearms
by collectors today thanks to their important place in the development of lever action firearms and the Winchester Repeating
Arms Co., as well as their place in the history of the American Civil War, the West, and popular culture. These gold finished and
engraved Henrys are one of the true scarcities of 19th century American arms collecting, being offered even less often than
legendary collectibles such as the Winchester “One of One Thousand” rifles and Colt Walker revolvers. These gilt Henry rifles are
the sort of treasure collectors spend a lifetime in search of, with only a select few “striking gold”. While all Henry rifles are considered
legendary pieces of Americana, while factory engraved, deluxe finished Henrys are further elevated to iconic pieces of American art.
This particular rifle was produced c. June of 1863, just shortly before the Battle of Gettysburg. The receiver features the highly attractive Germanic
scroll and floral engraving that is attributed to the extremely skilled engraver Samuel Hoggson, who carried out a large portion of the New Haven Arms
Company’s factory engraving during the period. The left side plate is prominently engraved with a game scene featuring a buck and doe near a lake, with a castle and a church in the
distant background. The castle and church engraved in this scene show strong similarities to the famous W.C. Dodge presentation Winchester Briggs patent rifle, which acts as an evolutionary
link between these Henry rifles and the later Winchester Model 1866. That particular rifle is pictured on p. 39 of “Winchester Engraving” by R.L. Wilson. The scene is surrounded by Germanic scrollwork,
which is continued extensively on the right side of the receiver. The front left and right sides of the receiver show the large grape blossoms that have come to be deeply associated with Hoggson’s work. The
Germanic scroll continues at the rear of the receiver, upper tang, and buttplate tang, while the various panels of the receiver show gadrooned borders. The gold gilt finish on this rifle adds to its rarity significantly,
with the extra cost of gold plating and engraving being listed at an extra cost of $13.00 in 1862 when it was first offered, very few would have ordered it or could have afforded it.
14