Product Details
ALEX.R HENRY, EDINBURGH
A VERY FINE CASED .451 HENRY PATENT PERCUSSION PRIZE RIFLE, serial no. 530,
dated '1861', 34 1/4in. browned twist octagonal barrel with partially matt top flat and signed 'ALEX.R HENRY 8 SOUTH ST. ANDREW ST. EDINBURGH' and 'PATENT NO. 100 GAUGE 451', block-mounted windage adjustable fore-sight, rear-sight plate (sight missing), finely border and scroll engraved patent breech engraved with a red stag's head on the top flat and with platinum plug, scroll engraved tang, detented bolted lock retaining some faded original case-hardened finish, signed 'ALEX.R HENRY' and engraved with scrollwork inhabited by a running buck and a tiger, well figured walnut pistolgrip half-stock with chequered grip and fore-end, the comb fitted with a leather cheek-pad stamped 'HENRY'S PATENT RIFLE STOCK ELEVATOR', base for the blued folding aperture target sight (shared with Lot 531) fitted at the wrist, scroll engraved silver patchbox-cover signed 'JULY 1861 / PRESENTED TO / THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION / BY G.J. WARREN LORD VERNON / TO BE COMPETED FOR AT WIMBLEDON / GAINED BY / J.W. THOMAS / HALIFAX' and engraved with the monogram and motto of Lord Vernon, scroll engraved mounts including trigger-guard decorated with a lion on the bow, and butt-plate engraved with scrollwork and the National Rifle Association badge and motto, silver escutcheon, engraved sling button and sling eye, green horn fore-end cap, and original brass-mounted ramrod with worm (the barrel rebrowned during working life), London proof marks, in original brass-cornered fitted mahogany case lined in pigskin with accessories including plated Sykes Patent powder-flask engraved with the National Rifle Association badge and motto, brass Henry's Patent bullet mould, Sykes white metal percussion cap dispenser, patch-cutter, ivory handled tools including turnscrews and nipple-wrench, three ivory pots including one containing a spare unused nipple, and a patent nipple pricker / primer by Paton, Perth, the case also containing a silver medal for No. 8 Coy 'Challenge Medal' won by J.W. Thomas in 1861 and 1862, the lid with Alexander Henry trade label, the exterior with applied shaped silver plaque engraved with a trophy of arms and 'NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION / 1861 / 220 COMPETITORS / WON BY / J.W. THOMAS / HALIFAX'.
Other Notes: Captain J.W. Thomas of the West Yorkshire Rifle Volunteers had a successful target shooting career not only as an individual but also as a member of the English XX team. A letter accompanies this Lot detailing the record of his NRA competition successes in the Queen's, Alexandria, Albert, St. George's, Allcomers County Match and National Challenge Trophy between 1862 and 1870. The letter also notes his win in 1861 of a competiton noted only as 'Extra Prizes 3rd Series', the prize being the present Lot. A photograph of the 1865 English XX team also accompanies this Lot, Thomas being seated second from the left in the front row.
A copy of an entry from The Scotsman of 3rd July 1861 is also present. The article mentions Alexander Henry and the prize rifles he made for the 1861 competiton. The present Lot is specifically mentioned as costing 45 Guineas, being finished in a 'superior style' and incorporating three of Henry's patents, namely the then new rifling, the stock elevator and the windage adjustable fore-sight.
Estimate £10,000-15,000