Scarce 1 of 982 CIVIL WAR Antique J. HENRY & SON “SABER” Rifle for MILITIA PENNSYLVANIA Made CONTRACT Rifle w/BRASS FURNITURE

Description:
Scarce 1 of 982 CIVIL WAR Antique J. HENRY & SON “SABER” Rifle for MILITIA

PENNSYLVANIA Made CONTRACT Rifle w/BRASS FURNITURE

Here we present an antique J. Henry & Son Militia Rifle, made circa 1861-62, early on in the Civil War era. J. Henry & Son’s “Saber Rifles,” detailed on pages 361-364 of George D. Moller’s American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III, are first documented on page 361, which states: “James Henry's initial delivery of the rifles he called the ‘Saber Rifle’ to Phillip S. Justice was on September 11, 1861.” These rifles feature a blade front sight and a long-range Enfield-style tangent leaf rear sight, graduated from “1” to “4” on the right side of the base and from “5” to “8” on top of the ladder. The firearm bears markings of “J. HENRY/& SON” on both the lock and the left side of the breech. Throughout, the rifle is adorned with brass fittings, including two barrel bands, a square-shaped trigger guard, and a Sharps-style patch box.

John Joseph Henry established his firearms business in Philadelphia in 1807, operating until 1822, when he merged his enterprise with his brother William’s business, known as Boulton Gun Works, located in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Following this merger, his guns bore the mark “JJ HENRY, BOULTON.” In 1831, John’s son Joseph joined the firm, and after Joseph’s death, his son James assumed leadership of the business. When James’ son Granville became a partner in 1859, the firearms were marked “J. HENRY & SONS,” as is the case with this particular piece.
With the coming of the American Civil War, and the calling for 100,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion, not to mention the calling out of Pennsylvania militia units for the defense of the state, John Henry looked to produce military arms to cash in on the need for guns. He produced two patterns of military style rifles and a cadet musket. The rifles were offered with either a socket or a saber bayonet, and were known respectively in the Henry company records as “Mini” Rifles” or “Saber Rifles”. Henry produced some 952 “Saber Rifles” during the summer of 1861, most of which (876) were also sold to P.S. Justice, with deliveries starting in September of that year. 70 were sold by Henry to the Catasanga Home Guard in October and November, and another 6 were used as sample rifles in an attempt to obtain other military contracts.

The overall condition is good. Original patinas on the iron and brass. The stock is re-finished, with a repair around the lock. The crack on the right side of the wrist shows movement when pressure is applied. Legible markings. The action is strong. The bore is bright and has strong rifling.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 34-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .58 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$2200

#256021
 

Antique: Yes

Price: $2,200.00
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