The maker’s records confirm that this early Best Quality rifle was completed in 1857. With browned Damascus barrels cut with three groove rifling with flat partially file cut matted rib with bead front sight, rear sight of one standing and one folding leaf graduated to “200” yards and each with platinum inlaid center line, and signed “Alexr. Henry. 12 South St. Andrew St. Edinburgh" in Gothic script towards the breech end. Casehardened patent breeches each with pierced platinum plug and engraved with tiger’s head on the rib section. Standing breech, casehardened bar in wood side locks each with reinforced hammer, blued safety catch behind the hammer and signed “Alexr. Henry”, and furniture including trigger guard, pistol grip cap with hinged trap cover, and buttplate. The standing breech, locks and furniture all engraved with fine scrollwork interspersed with fine panel game scenes involving deer on the locks, a stag being chased by hounds on the trigger guard bow, and a recumbent tiger on the buttplate tang. Well-figured 14 1/2 inch pistol grip half-length stock with checkered grip and forearm, a blank shield shaped gold initial escutcheon inset at the wrist, "60" stamped behind the grip, and a sling eye fitted beneath the butt, the corresponding sling eye mounted beneath the forward ramrod pipe. Brass mounted wooden ramrod. London black powder proof marks. Includes a brass cornered takedown case with Henry trade label.

Fine. The barrels retain 70% of their rebrowned finish with some fading, attractive Damascus pattern, rib signature softened, file cut matting in front of the bead sight crisp. Breeches a dark grey patina with some original casehardened finish evident on the underside, engraving crisp. The standing breech is a mid grey patina, and the locks each retain faded traces of original casehardened finish, engraving is clear and sharp throughout. The furniture is discolored throughout and generally a dark grey patina, engraving clear but softened, and with surface corrosion marking to the butt plate. The stock has scattered age related storage and handling marks throughout, a small chip on the right forearm, some chips at the edges of the forearm, well-defined checkering, and attractive figure. Mechanically excellent. The case is good with a cracked lid and mild overall storage wear. Overall, a fine example of an early Alexander Henry rifle. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.