This historic Henry rifle was manufactured c. 1864 and displays factory engraving by Samuel Hoggson featuring floral, scroll, and hunting dog patterns along with "P.B. Reading" in script on top in the same style as other known factory engraved and inscribed Henry rifles. A sling mount is on the left side of the barrel/magazine, and the corresponding sling swivel is on the left side of the butt. The buttstock compartment contains a cleaning rod. The rifle is numbered with "6[added notch rear sight]63" on the barrel and "6063" on the left side of the lower tang, inside the upper tang mortise, and inside of the buttplate. P.B. Reading's identity is not documented, but there are multiple possibilities. One is Pierson Barton Reading (1816-1868). He was born in New Jersey and headed to the West as a California pioneer, worked as chief of trappers and commander of Sutter's Fort, served as major and paymaster in the California Battalion during the Mexican-American War, and in 1864 was living at his Rancho Buena Ventura in Shasta County in Northern California. Another possibility is his relative Private Pierson Baker Reading (1835-1889), born in New Jersey, who served in Company F of the 107th New York Infantry from July 26, 1862, to June 5, 1865. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Fine with crisp engraving and markings, a considerable amount of original blue and silver finish remaining, smooth brown patina on the balance of the iron, aged patina on the silver and brass, dings and scratches, repaired stock wrist and cracked lower tang, and period repaired stock. Mechanically fine.