If you haven't seen it yet, watch Mark Novak's latest video on Youtube in which he shows a rather historic Henry rifle. One of a thousand purchased for the 1st DC Cavalry and possibly captured by Confederates. Classic example of what folks should not do to a valuable antique firearm.
1860 Henry
- Thread starter tiriaq
- Start date
Had a guy buy an original at our last gun show. There were 3 there for sale. Yes, originals. - dan
What do you do with it now? You could keep restoring it because basically junk now? Guys like Turnbull could make it new again. Probably cost more than it would be worth though?
Some of those Henry's and 66s where converted to centerfire. I've never seen one but I've heard of them.
Those original Henry's and 66s are cool old guns but I can't see the point in putting that much money into a gun that I couldn't shoot.
I'm wondering what that Henry on Novaks show would cost to reline the barrel. Possible make or modify newer components to fix the headspace and convert to centerfire cartridge like cowboy 45 special?
I have no idea what the rifle would be worth in the US as-is.
No idea what it would cost to have it Turnbull'd or what it would be worth after they got through with it.
Novak mentions that a centerfire firing pin could be fitted. Barrel could be lined, action could be rebuilt to be safe. Cost? Value after the expenses incurred?
Bubba with the buffer sure did depreciate the value, even considering the mechanical issues. Couldn't even be bothered removing the stocks before buffing. A classic example of an antique harmed by ignorance.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
I knew a Hanna Ab rancher that owned several original 60's and 66's, I'm sure others on this forum knew Vern, those rifles were selling in the 45-50 grand area back when his widow put them up for auction.
They start $30,000 up to $100,000 or more stateside. Your gun show had three…hmmmm. Leroy Merz shows various prices according to condition and originality. I remember an ironside fetch $240,000 usd a few years ago. Rich man game for sure. When I thought about getting into nice condition Winchester 86’s I got an education on how slimy the collecting world can be. Swapped parts with modern, expert touch ups and all sorts of shenanigans to fool, simply put greed. Back in 2012 when I was in Cody Wyoming, the old gentleman curator Warren cautioned me in saying be very very careful in paying high dollar for super rare excellent condition 100 year old guns unless you can prove providence from when it left the factory and who’s collection they were in etc, lot of unscrupulous people in the collection world. Anyways love the old school cool.
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/henry-rifles-antique.c300_p1_o6.cfm
*** Stunning ***
I might be remembering wrong but at last lethbridge show I remember three 1866 winchesters at two different tables. Prices from $15 to $25 thousand each. But maybe remembering wrong.
I remember thinking how nice one would look on living room wall but with safe storage laws you can't do it that they look good and even if you could. Just make it easy for gun thieves. Lots of them around on both sides of the law.
Yes, Henry's. 28k if I remember correctly, but i wasnt paying close attention. Originals have been out of my price range for a long, long time. - dan
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antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
Last Henry I seen for sale was at Epps with a very hefty price tag on it. They were more common after the civil war then most thing same with the 1866’s. but the true guns that won the west were the surplus sold after the civil war then surplus rifled muskets(sometimes bored smooth) cap and ball revolvers and their countless cartridge conversions. Something like a Winchester was $25 new at one point when for a couple bucks you could get a surplus rifle from bannermans.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
If you have one of those super shiny Italian offerings you can turn it into a superb "facsimile" for a fraction of the cost of an original...just hang it over a propane stove (Nat gas works as well but takes longer) for a period of time, that shiny brass will tarnish up to as close to 100 yr old patina as you can ever hope for in a few months.
Another way to tarnish up the brass to get an 'antique' appearance...if that is important to you, is to simply shoot bp cartridges for a period of time. The bp residue dulls and darkens the shiny metal, in no time. Of course, the downside of this method is having to properly clean the firearm, after use. Not difficult, but does require some care.
Modern reproductions chambered in .44 WCF (.44-40)...like JohnnyPython's beauty(I prefer the 'iron' frame, too), being some of the easiest to maintain. As their slightly bottle- necked cartridge cases are quite efficient at preventing excess blowback into the receiver. On the plus side, a shooter gets to experience what it was really like to shoot these rifles.
A bit off topic, but...one of the most satisfying rifles of the era that I ever had the opportunity to shoot, was an original, 1880-vintage Winchester 1873 rifle, chambered in .38-40. The elderly gentleman who owned this fine shooting specimen, had inherited it from his grandfather. Who purchased the rifle new, in 1880. True to it's design, the rifle had always fired bp cartridges. Even up to the time I shot it....in the mid 1980's. I should add that the owner was an avid handloader, who knew bp cartridges, inside and out.
Over the years, the rifle had piled up an impressive list of game to its credit. Well kept and in beautiful condition.... despite the years and much use, it was still just as accurate and smooth operating as it had been, new. It was a pure joy to shoot this fine old rifle.
Al
Modern reproductions chambered in .44 WCF (.44-40)...like JohnnyPython's beauty(I prefer the 'iron' frame, too), being some of the easiest to maintain. As their slightly bottle- necked cartridge cases are quite efficient at preventing excess blowback into the receiver. On the plus side, a shooter gets to experience what it was really like to shoot these rifles.
A bit off topic, but...one of the most satisfying rifles of the era that I ever had the opportunity to shoot, was an original, 1880-vintage Winchester 1873 rifle, chambered in .38-40. The elderly gentleman who owned this fine shooting specimen, had inherited it from his grandfather. Who purchased the rifle new, in 1880. True to it's design, the rifle had always fired bp cartridges. Even up to the time I shot it....in the mid 1980's. I should add that the owner was an avid handloader, who knew bp cartridges, inside and out.
Over the years, the rifle had piled up an impressive list of game to its credit. Well kept and in beautiful condition.... despite the years and much use, it was still just as accurate and smooth operating as it had been, new. It was a pure joy to shoot this fine old rifle.
Al
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