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Geoffrey Boothroyd's Rare Alexander Henry 3" Wildfowling Gun Converted from a 20/.577 BPE Double Rifle
Guns International #: 101817533 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Alexander Henry Rifles - Shotguns - English Double Antique
Seller's Information
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Seller: Grouse Grove
Member Since: 3/17/07
State: Montana
Country: United States
Phone: (406) 442-2322
Premium Seller
Number of Active Listings: 5
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted:
Description:
SOLD
Here is a wonderful and rare Alexander Henry wildfowler, discovered by Geoffrey Boothroyd at the Alex Martin shop in the early 1960's, and used by him for many years (see attached articles by Boothroyd from Shooting Times.)
The last owner of this remarkable gun, Mr. R. Y. of Montana, was kind enough to provide the following information:
"It was originally chambered for Henry's proprietary 20/.577 black powder express, which he developed in 1880. It was one of the most powerful of the pre-smokeless .577s - a necked-down 2 3/4" 20 gauge brass case loaded with as much as 171 grains of black powder and a 650 grain bullet. According Donald Dallas, author of books on Alex Henry, Dickson, Boss and others, Henry built 39 rifles (all doubles) in the caliber--about half of them hammerguns--and a total of 19 on the #5273 hammerless patent. Of the 19, 14 were Best Quality; four were Second Quality (which were extensively engraved, but with less coverage than a Best; and the last one is the example at hand - completely devoid of engraving.
Although Dallas describes rifles built on the #5273 patent as possessing "a beautifully designed sculpted action" that "just exuded power and strength," in truth, by 1899 when this gun was entered "In stock", it had been obsolete for nearly a decade. As early as 1888, Henry had been filling orders for express double rifles by finishing Birmingham-made barrel-cocking hammerless sidelocks and boxlocks chambered for cartridges far more modern than the short-lived and already-archaic 20/.577.
In his history of Alexander Henry, Dallas writes: "To all intents and purposes, after Henry's death (1894) his beautiful hammerless action was dropped in favour of the Rogers (sidelock). One or two appear in the Dimensions Book but they were most probably part-finished old stock."
Regardless of the fact that the gun was a dinosaur at the time it was originally purchased, someone did indeed purchase it and, if appearances are any indication, got quite a good deal of service from it. It is very likely that from the turn of the century on it saw extensive service in Africa or India (and indeed, Henry's hammerless 20/.577s were ordered by Manton & Co. of Calcutta). Perhaps as some Scottish army officer rose through the ranks during a distinguished colonial career, the bores of his big Henry double rifle were, simultaneously, suffering the combined corrosive affects of black powder and tropical humidity. And when the time came to retire back to Scotland--a land with no thick-skinned dangerous game--he once again took up the wildfowling of his youth. And now, bored out to three-inch 12 gauge, his trusty Alex Henry remained his companion in the hunt to the bitter end. Who knows?"
Now to the particulars of the gun. The nitro-proved Damascus barrels are 28" with 3" chambers, choked .011/.031. The receiver features the maker's name in a flowing banner, but is otherwise unadorned. Large, British-style sling eyes are mounted. The fore-end has a lever release. The pistol-grip stock has a trap grip-cap. The crudely (though stoutly) repaired break at the wrist that Boothroyd refers to has been professionally repaired. The beautifully figured stock measures 1 7/8" x 2 7/8" x 14 1/4" (including an ancient 1/2" red pad) with cast off. The weight is 9 lbs 3 oz.
I have killed wild roosters with this dainty piece, and the previous owner used it with great success on mallards, widgeon and Canadas. It's an extraordinary gun that needs to be held in the hands (and better yet, shot) to be appreciated.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Shotgun Gauge: 12 Gauge
Manufacturer: Alexander Henry