Nominally .36 caliber, unknown chambering possibly .38RF. 20'" two stage round barrel. NSN. Browned finish, iron furniture, straight gripped figured maple stock with simply checkering at the wrist and a keyed forend with pewter nose cap. Unmarked swivel breech, breech loading single shot rifle with back action lock, adjustable double set triggers, iron Sharps pattern patchbox, peep rear sight and globe front sight. Underlug with thimble for cleaning and clearing rod that is not present.

These unique swivel breech rifles were produced circa 1872-1896 by Granville Henry of Boulton, PA, part of the family of Pennsylvania gunmakers that trace their ancestry to Lancaster gunsmith William Henry in the 1750s and JJ Henry, one of the earliest American arms makers to contract with the US Government. Research suggests that most of the these rifles, based upon Henry's 1872 patent were made in relatively small calibers, primarily .22 and .32 rimfire, although some were made in larger calibers like this one. About 1,000 were produced between their introduction and about 1895 with inventory on hand being sold as late as 1907. Most examples are unmarked, like this one, although they occasionally appear with either a maker's or retailer's mark. A detailed article about Granville Henry and his work was published in February of 1987 in American Rifleman. A scare and interesting blend of old school Pennsylvania gunmaking and the "new fangled" technology of the self-contained metallic cartridge.

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio. {ANTIQUE}

[Guns, Firearms, Revolvers, Rifles, Longarms, Handguns, Arms & Armor] 

About Good overall. Bore good, moderately oxidized and lightly pitted with strong rifling. Metal with a smooth, rich brown patina that may retains some traces of finish, with some lightly scattered minor surface oxidation. Breech and lock with a lightly cleaned dull gray patina. Mechanically functional action, but the set trigger must be set in order for the hammer to remain cocked. Action has no apparent locking mechanism, with only the firing pin keeping the breech from rotating to the open position. Wood with some lightly scattered bumps, dings and mars from handling and use.