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It is also noted on p. 169 of “The Story of Benjamin Tyler Henry and His Famed Repeating Rifle” by
Les Quick, it is noted that at the height of the Civil War, when this particular rifle was produced,
special orders such as engraving and gold plating were discouraged by the company, with the
focus placed on fulfilling government orders. The only other engraved and gold finished example
pictured in that book is serial number 6, which was presented to President Abraham Lincoln.
One of the few other gold gilt Henrys we have had the pleasure of offering here at Rock Island
Auction Company happens to be consecutively serialized with the barrel of this rifle, bearing
number “2381”, and was last offered to the public in 2016. That particular rifle is also engraved
with a deer scene on the left, floral scrollwork,
and also the iconic Hoggson
grape blossoms on the
forward sides of the receiver,
as well as having a rosewood
stock like this rifle. Another
rifle with a serial number
consecutive to this one, “2378”,
is photographed on p. 20
of “The Book of Winchester
Engraving” by R.L. Wilson. That
rifle is noted as held by the
Kansas State Historical Society
and is inscribed to Maj. Gen.
J.B. Blunt, gilt, engraved, and again mounted
with a rosewood stock like this example.
Those two rifles, along with this one, certainly
seem to indicate that the engraved and gold
plated, deluxe Henrys were generally made together in very
limited groups, just as the silver plated examples were, but with the gold examples remaining
significantly more scarce. This rifle, like other examples of engraved Henrys, is truly a work of
firearms art.
The rifle itself has the early production, “first model” receiver shape with the abrupt angle at the
upper rear of the receiver that is only slightly beveled, a feature which is seen on Henrys until
around the 4900 serial number range. The lever is the correct style with the spur at the rear for
engaging with the latch. The rifle correctly has a rear sight dovetail on both the barrel at the
breech and the rear of the receiver, with the receiver dovetail being discontinued in the 3100
serial number range, though the rear sight itself is now absent. The barrel has the correct, two-
line, early pattern barrel address made up of the smaller characters, a feature which continued
until around the 3000 serial number range. The cartridge follower is the correct larger type with
milled flats in the receiver, which entered production in the 1900 serial number range. The barrel
is numbered “2382” at the breech. The left side of the lower tang is numbered “2377 R”, both
tang screws appear to be numbered “2377”, while “2377” is also marked in the stock inlet, on the
shanks of both buttplate screws, and inside the buttplate. It is clearly evident that all of these
components have been together for a long time, so much so that we strongly believe this is how
this rifle left the factory. It is fitted with the typical, square-backed, German silver front sight, with
empty rear sight dovetails. It is mounted with a very finely figured, deluxe, straight grip stock
with a high-gloss varnish finish. Includes a very scarce, four-piece wood cleaning rod with iron
ferrules for assembly.
CONDITION: Extremely fine,
retaining 50% of the original blue
finish on the replaced barrel and
magazine tube, while the receiver
and buttplate retain 75% plus of
the delicate gold gilt finish with the
balance mostly a brown patina, some
mild wear and flaking, and the engraving
remaining crisp overall. The wood is very fine
with some scattered minor scratches and scuffs,
while retaining almost all of the original varnish.
Mechanically functions. The cleaning rod is fine with mild
wear and some light oxidation on the iron. These deluxe engraved and gilt finished Henry rifles
represent one of the rarest treasures of 19th century American arms collecting, with only a select
few elite collectors able to elevate their collection into the truly extraordinary with the presence
of one. This is a fleeting opportunity to add a true work of American art to your collection, a
Samuel Hoggson factory engraved and gilt finished Henry rifle!
Estimate: 50,000 - 80,000