The maker’s records confirm that this Best Quality rifle was completed on November 9, 1872, for an E.N. Howey Esq. The browned Damascus chopperlump barrels are each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. The raised flat rib has partial file cut matting and is signed “ALEXR. HENRY. 12 SOUTH ST. ANDREW ST. PATENT No. 2066”. It has a bead front sight and a blued rear sight of one standing and one folding leaf graduated to “200” yards with platinum inlaid center lines. The casehardened action has carved percussion fences and non-rebounding back action locks with blued safety catches in front of the hammers and are signed “ALEXR. HENRY”. The furniture includes a trigger guard, pistol grip cap with hinged trap cover, and heel and toe plates. There is Best Quality border and scroll engraving throughout. The underside of the barrels and water table have London black powder proof marks, and each barrel is marked “HENRY’S PATENT”. The well-figured pistol grip stock has a checkered butt, grip and forearm, and the latter has a key fastener. The underside of the butt has a sling eye, and the corresponding sling eye mounted beneath the barrels. 14 1/2 inch length of pull. Weight 9 lbs. 2 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Fine. The barrels retain 98% rebrowned finish with light corrosion pock marking visible beneath the finish at the muzzles and a clear rib signature. The action and locks have a grey patina with faded traces of original casehardened finish in sheltered areas and clear engraving throughout. The refinished stock has occasional light storage and handling marks, a concealed wedge repair on the pistol grip, some chipping at the edges, light flaking, and well-defined, original checkering. Mechanically excellent.