CptCurl
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| (.450 member) |
| 16/01/23 06:22 AM |
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Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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This is a best quality Alexander Henry .360 Express single shot rifle. The records show it was finished on April 12, 1880, so it is now almost 143 years old. Fortunately, it has survived the years in wonderful condition. I am the current caretaker since buying it at auction in early December 2022.
The rifle resides in its original full-length oak and leather case, lined in pigskin. All the original tools and loading equipment remain. The bullet mould and its hollow point pin are numbered to the rifle. It has a 25" barrel and weighs a whopping 4 lbs., 12 oz. It has an absolutely beautiful, mirror bright, perfect bore. Henry rifling, of course.
It is astoundingly rare to find a complete cased set like this, still intact. I am fortunate indeed!
It makes a great "little brother" companion for my Henry .450 single shot rifle.
Curl
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 16/01/23 07:17 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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OMG Curly, what a treasure! Well done.
| Marrakai |
| (.416 member) |
| 16/01/23 09:24 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Wow man, that is gorgeous! Stunning, actually!
Good pickup, that's for sure.
| 85lc |
| (.375 member) |
| 16/01/23 11:41 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Wow, what a treasure with a complete kit.
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CptCurl
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| (.450 member) |
| 16/01/23 09:57 PM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Just for fun, here's a link to the full resolution photo of the package.
Click for big photo of the package. Really see what's in the box.
Curly
| DoubleD |
| (.400 member) |
| 17/01/23 12:20 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Very Nice indeed.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 17/01/23 12:24 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Very nice Curl.
| tinker |
| (.416 member) |
| 17/01/23 01:13 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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It keeps getting better the more I look at it
Let's see some detailed photos of the tools and the mould
Cast some bullets and run it
Let's see how it shoots!
| Huvius |
| (.416 member) |
| 17/01/23 01:59 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Beautiful rifle and accessories!
The 360 is a fun little cartridge.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 17/01/23 05:11 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Quote:
Just for fun, here's a link to the full resolution photo of the package.
Click for big photo of the package. Really see what's in the box.
Curly
Curl, what is the line on the lower butt at the toe? Appears to be a joint, however the grain appears to line up quite nicely.
Beautiful indeed.
What is in the 'covered' storage above the muzzle end of the barrel - brass?
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CptCurl
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| (.450 member) |
| 17/01/23 05:54 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Daryl, it's a scratch. The photo makes it look much worse than it really is.
Curly
| 93x64mm |
| (.416 member) |
| 17/01/23 06:52 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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I think we all realise just how rare & unique the treasure that you now have before you Cap!
As the caretaker of this wonderful little piece of history, I hope you have many years together just having a bit of fun whether it be punching holes in paper or shots at game.
More so a rook type cartridge I suppose, but then again if the opportunity presents itself at bigger game, I think you'd have a winner here regardless!
Looking forward to your range report like all the other mere mortals wishing we were in your shoes,
Well done indeed mate.
| tinker |
| (.416 member) |
| 17/01/23 07:24 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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A box of cartridges
https://ellwoodepps.com/eley-360-express-2-1-4-black-powder-rifle.html
| Huvius |
| (.416 member) |
| 17/01/23 09:46 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Up top looks like a couple dippers, very much like shotgun powder and shot dippers. What do you make of those Curl?
Also, to the left of those is, I think, the nose pin for casting hollow point bullets, correct?
What weight will your mold cast?
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CptCurl
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| (.450 member) |
| 17/01/23 10:03 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Quote:
Up top looks like a couple dippers, very much like shotgun powder and shot dippers. What do you make of those Curl?
Dunno! Two dippers, indeed. One larger and one smaller. The smaller one is not adjustable, but the larger is. I am thinking the smaller one may be 1/2 dram and the larger one calibrated in full drams.
Quote:
Also, to the left of those is, I think, the nose pin for casting hollow point bullets, correct?
What weight will your mold cast?
Correct. It's the hollow point pin. It and the mould are both numbered to the rifle and look virtually unused.
As for the weight, I don't know. I have only had the rifle since Friday afternoon (3 days). I would guess 155 grains. It's a paper patch bullet.
Come see it!
Curly
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CptCurl
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| (.450 member) |
| 17/01/23 10:13 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Quote:
A box of cartridges
https://ellwoodepps.com/eley-360-express-2-1-4-black-powder-rifle.html
Wow! Seven cartridges for $105.00 plus shipping. Disregarding the shipping, that's $15.00 a pop. I think I will shoot my loads.
How would you ever get good at shooting if it cost $15 a pop? I'd be too nervous to pull the trigger.
I hope all is well for you in Nevada.
Curly
| 3DogMike |
| (.400 member) |
| 17/01/23 11:57 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Quote:Quote:
A box of cartridges
https://ellwoodepps.com/eley-360-express-2-1-4-black-powder-rifle.html
Wow! Seven cartridges for $105.00 plus shipping. Disregarding the shipping, that's $15.00 a pop. I think I will shoot my loads.
How would you ever get good at shooting if it cost $15 a pop? I'd be too nervous to pull the trigger.
I hope all is well for you in Nevada.
Curly
Roscoe,
Nice win at Rock Island! Very nice…..I went weak & for the Beesley .577 instead.
$105……wonder if that is USD or Canadian?
Either way, with the headache of importation it would be problematic. Nice collector item for the kit tho….
- Mike
| tinker |
| (.416 member) |
| 17/01/23 01:56 PM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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That box of joy would be dressing for the case - I don't think I'd shoot them
Life is good here out west
Lots of wet falling from the sky these past few weeks
Power was out for a few days here during some of the worst of it
All fine though, firewood and lamp oil kept me warm and lit for the event
I'll be looking for the range report from you on this neat little rifle!
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 18/01/23 05:20 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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LOL- $105.00 Cdn only $78.39US, Curl. Cheap!! - of course, there is shipping by truck to an FFL of your choice, then their fees. Likely back up to the $105.00 range or higher in US funds all together.
Must have "gold plated" bullets.
| 3DogMike |
| (.400 member) |
| 18/01/23 05:58 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Daryl, don't forget, there are likely USA ITAR required export/import permits and bureaucracy costs and delays added to that as well
- Mike
ADDED: Oh, and not to forget, you have to have the ammo sent to an authorized importer. Just any old FFL will not do…..
| tinker |
| (.416 member) |
| 18/01/23 07:17 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Perhaps the cartridges are best reserved for window shopping
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 18/01/23 08:32 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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LOL - had not considered MORE costs, after all, what is Free trade?
| tinker |
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| 18/01/23 08:51 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Quote:
LOL - had not considered MORE costs, after all, what is Free trade?
Free trade is where you send me the rifle that we were discussing the other day
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 18/01/23 05:15 PM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Quote:
Wow! Seven cartridges for $105.00 plus shipping. Disregarding the shipping, that's $15.00 a pop. I think I will shoot my loads.
How would you ever get good at shooting if it cost $15 a pop? I'd be too nervous to pull the trigger
$15 a cartridge is not unusual here, eg factory NE or .404 ammunition. Norma. When one can find any.
Two reasons for reloading.
| fraserdouble |
| (.224 member) |
| 18/01/23 07:30 PM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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In relation to the question on the smaller powder dipper in the case.
It is probably a 5/8th dram measure of C&H #6 BP, which was specifically for the round ball load.
The round ball weights about 72 grains depending on alloy and is cast at exactly .375" for the .367" bore size of the .360 2 1/4". A Henry recommended a 12 lead to 1 tin mix with the ball loaded over 1 jute and three bees wax saturated felt wads. It would make a dandy rook type load.
Curl, check the weight the dipper throws and see if this is it. 5/8 dram is a little over 17 grains.
Fraser.
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CptCurl
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| (.450 member) |
| 18/01/23 10:36 PM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Fraser, thanks so much for this information. I will dip some powder and report back.
Curl
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 19/01/23 06:35 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Swiss has a greater density (heavier per volume) than the other makes of black powders. It is also slightly more energetic.
17.06gr. actually. Interesting. I don't think the load and wads would come up to the bottom of the ball, of course, much would depend on the thickness of the wads.
Concerned over ringing the chamber, is all. Of course, more or thicker wads could be used.
.375 is a normal mould sold by all mould makers here as that size is meant for the .36 cap and ball revolvers.
| 85lc |
| (.375 member) |
| 20/01/23 02:20 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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fraserdouble, That is great info. Thanks.
| Huvius |
| (.416 member) |
| 20/01/23 03:28 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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It is!
I’ll have to try round balls in my 360 as well.
Could even work up a two ball load that may be interesting.
I’m thinking loading a fired, unsized case allowing the mouth to shave the ball to size with a little lube over the top.
Sound about right?
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 20/01/23 04:31 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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With a BP load, a little lube ball separated from the powder by a wax paper disk, or a thin BW wad cut from Bee Brood Foundation (as Curly already does), then the other wads and the ball(s). The reason for the lube barely separated from the powder, is to allow the powder charge to melt and spread the lube over the bore to keep the fouling soft.
It works.
From the late Paul Mathews book "The Paper Jacket".
| KWK |
| (.275 member) |
| 01/12/23 01:56 AM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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So how does it shoot, CptCurl?
I once bid on a Henry 360 Best, but someone wanted it rather more.
Ross Seyfried wrote about loading for the cartridge in the October, 2003 issue of Handloader. I believe it's still available from Wolfe.
He even took an elk with one and was surprised the little bullet passed clean through on the broadside shot. I've read of guys using a 357 Magnum revolver to take elk, and the 360 is hotter than that.
| KWK |
| (.275 member) |
| 04/12/23 03:27 PM |
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Re: Alexander Henry .360 Miniature Single Shot Rifle
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Ah-ha!, you're the guy who outbid me for that rifle. I see now the s/n is the same. Wonderful little rifle you have. I would have bid higher, but the stock really didn't have enough drop for me (or my son). I'm working on getting a Hagn miniature made up; I'll likely select the 357 for it.
Quote:
It has an absolutely beautiful, mirror bright, perfect bore.
My son and I ran a bore scope up the barrel. It looked as if there was a little pitting just ahead of the chamber. Were those just surface deposits that cleaned out? Regardless, we reckoned it was a very usable bore.
What are you using for brass?