The maker’s records confirm that this Best Quality very rare variant of the Henry falling-block rifle was completed on August 31, 1872 for a Colonel Gordon, and chambered for the .577/.450 (Martini Henry) cartridge allowing the good Colonel to draw ammunition from army stores. The “Self Cocking” falling-block rifle was built in limited numbers following Henry’s Patent No. 2769 of October 20, 1870 and unusually for the early 1870s offered a firearm with no external hammer. The mechanism includes a hammer, but this is enclosed by the action with a small stud cocking indicator protruding through the top right edge of the cartridge channel. According to the Appendix covering serial numbers in “Alexander Henry Rifle Maker” by Donald Dallas (p. 272), it appears this rifle was the eighteenth built on this rare action. With blued round tapering barrel with block mounted bead front sight, block mounted rear sight of one standing leaf and a folding ladder sight graduated to “800” yards, and signed “ALEXR. HENRY. 12 SOUTH ST. ANDREW ST. EDINBURGH. PATENT N.2023” (use 2023 of Henry’s famous rifling patent no. 2802 of November 15, 1860). Casehardened action signed “HENRY’S PATENT” on the right side and “ST. ANDREW STREET/EDINBURGH” on the left side, and engraved with scrollwork, a stag and a hound, a lion and an elephant. The action with casehardened scroll engraved underlever, the trigger mechanism with safety catch. Birmingham black powder proof marks. Well-figured 14 inch straight hand stock with checkered grip and forearm, and blued butt plate engraved with scrollwork on the short upper tang, checkered for most of its surface and with hinged trap cover.

Fine as professionally restored. The barrel and action each retain nearly all of their renewed finish. The signature engraving on the barrel is worn but legible. The engraving on the action is crisp and has been refreshed. The stock has been sanded and refinished with the checkering recut, a repaired crack and some age related grain splits visible at the wrist. The action is stiff to operate. Mechanically very good. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.