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degoins
.333 member


Reged: 28/02/06
Posts: 423
Loc: SC, USA
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: bouldersmith]
      #328227 - 11/05/19 12:34 AM

Thanks. It shoots really good with 320 gr lead bullets and 48 gr IMR4198 with about 12 gr Dacron filler. Better than I can hold/see.

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degoins
.333 member


Reged: 28/02/06
Posts: 423
Loc: SC, USA
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: degoins]
      #329344 - 13/06/19 09:18 PM

Finally got the info for this rifle from John Dickson and Son.....

The workshop ledger entry
No. 6843, Double Centre Fire Express Rifle, Best, .450, 28in Damascus, ? Bar with long strap on comb, Pistol Hand, Grip Cap
Stock - 1 11/16in drop at comb, 2 5/8in drop at heel , 14 1/4in to centre pull.
Standing & Leaf, No. 1 notch sights, 10 Nov 94, Weight 8lb 13 1/2oz. solid taper case, 4 ½ drams powder for 325 grn, 1/8 extra 385 grn solid
bullet
Made for F. D. Pirie

I've found nothing on the web so far about Mr. Pirie.


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RichB
.275 member


Reged: 01/07/17
Posts: 94
Loc: Edinburgh
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: degoins]
      #329418 - 17/06/19 08:43 PM

There's one F D Pirie on Scotland's People website … but that's making assumptions that
a) 1st and 2nd forenames are recorded correctly in both places,
b) it's a male and
c) he was in Scotland.

He's on the valuation roll of 1905 as owner of Leckmelm estate … so that's possible.

Any more research would cost me so … over to you !!

--------------------
Alexander Henry's great great grandson
Collaborator on book Alexander Henry Rifle Maker by Donald Dallas


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degoins
.333 member


Reged: 28/02/06
Posts: 423
Loc: SC, USA
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: RichB]
      #329432 - 18/06/19 02:59 AM

RichB,

Thanks for your effort.


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RichB
.275 member


Reged: 01/07/17
Posts: 94
Loc: Edinburgh
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: CptCurl]
      #331028 - 10/08/19 07:07 PM

Any more ? Bump ...

--------------------
Alexander Henry's great great grandson
Collaborator on book Alexander Henry Rifle Maker by Donald Dallas


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TexasJohn
.300 member


Reged: 06/04/10
Posts: 166
Loc: Texas
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: RichB]
      #331081 - 13/08/19 04:35 AM

Look at the pair of AH Howdah pistols that Collectors Firearms of Houston just posted in their new arrivals section.

--------------------
John

"In the Texas Oilfield, everything that does not kill me today, gets another chance tomorrow."


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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26413
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: TexasJohn]
      #331085 - 13/08/19 05:00 AM

Very Nice indeed.

The narrative states they are chambered
for a "custom" 1 1/2" .50 cal. casing.
I assume they are central fire. If Rimfire, they
are close to the .50 American Peabody at 1.456".
The .50 Remington M71 was 1.25".
The .50/50 Maynard was 1.370".
The .50 Carbine was a shortened .50/70.
Since the .50/70 was 1.75", & the Carbine was shortened, perhaps the .50 U.S. Carbine or similar is the case used.
I find no listing in English nor European ctgs. that are close.



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RichB
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Reged: 01/07/17
Posts: 94
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Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: TexasJohn]
      #331097 - 13/08/19 08:11 AM

Yeah they're gorgeous ... had them on my list as they were sold by James Julia 18 months ago ...

--------------------
Alexander Henry's great great grandson
Collaborator on book Alexander Henry Rifle Maker by Donald Dallas


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TH44
.375 member


Reged: 21/02/09
Posts: 731
Loc: West UK
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: DarylS]
      #331098 - 13/08/19 08:23 AM

Daryl - The cartridge is .50 X 1 1/2", I have a "baby" Howdah pistol in that calibre (posted here somewhere)



It is in Hoyem vol.3, I made cases from .500 BPE with difficulty as the chambers were very tight, probably made for foil cartridges as it is an early pistol

I will check out the auction pistols but way too much for me

TH44


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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26413
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: TH44]
      #331100 - 13/08/19 08:44 AM

Quote:

Daryl "The narrative states they are chambered
for a "custom" 1 1/2" .50 cal. casing."




Yes - I knew they were .50 1 1/2". Perhaps .50/70 or .50/90 Starline brass would be easier than .50 Exp. I suspect the Starline .50/70 or Dixie .50/70 would be easier to work with due to brass thickness, but the rims would be too thick & need turning from the front end.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39059
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: TH44]
      #331117 - 13/08/19 07:10 PM

Quote:

Daryl - The cartridge is .50 X 1 1/2", I have a "baby" Howdah pistol in that calibre (posted here somewhere)



It is in Hoyem vol.3, I made cases from .500 BPE with difficulty as the chambers were very tight, probably made for foil cartridges as it is an early pistol

I will check out the auction pistols but way too much for me

TH44




Surprisingly "tiny' cartridges in "width" for the barrel size?

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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85lc
.375 member


Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 889
Loc: Georgia, USA
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: CptCurl]
      #333278 - 10/10/19 10:16 AM

I have an Alexander Henry designed hammerless rifle that was made in Austria. Apparently, these Austrian made “Henry” rifles are not that uncommon.

I intended to show pictires of my rifle but I can not figure out how to post pictures.

I reached out the Axel Eichendorff who is a member of the German Gun Collector’s Association (GGCA). Axel quickly identified my rifle and provided pictures of other Henry designed rifles manufactured in Austria.

Axel pointed out that Richard Hummel had authored two articles “AUSTRIAN GUNMAKING WITH A SCOTTISH FLAIR!”that were published in GGCA Magazine Waidmannsheil issues 43 and 44.

My rifle was proofed as a 5.6x52R (22HP) in 1935. It was then rebored and rerifled to 6.5x52R (25/35) and proofed in 1937. All proofing was done in the Ferlach proofhouse.

If you are interested and I can figure out how to post pictures, I will post Axel’s emails to me addressing my rifle and including pictures of other Austrian Henry rifles.

--------------------
RB


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RichB
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Posts: 94
Loc: Edinburgh
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: 85lc]
      #333536 - 17/10/19 10:28 PM

Interesting - what sort of date ?

--------------------
Alexander Henry's great great grandson
Collaborator on book Alexander Henry Rifle Maker by Donald Dallas


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85lc
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Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 889
Loc: Georgia, USA
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: RichB]
      #333689 - 21/10/19 11:32 PM

Rich B.
I am not sure that I understand. My rifle was made in 1935.
Axel said Austrian gun makers started building Henry rifles (hammer and hammerless) shortly after the patents expired.
The actions for the hammerless rifles are very nice looking.

--------------------
RB


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Postman
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Reged: 25/09/13
Posts: 846
Loc: Canada
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: bouldersmith]
      #333691 - 22/10/19 12:10 AM

All these Alex Henry rifles are a piece of art work! I absolutely love mine, circa 1873, with the mild 450-400 x 2 3/8” cartridge, it is an absolute pleasure to shoot as well with recoil only an arthritis laden wrist can truly appreciate.

I am likely going to take it deer hunting this fall. The rifle clocks 1825 fps with 200 grain 411” cast wheel weight bullets over a charge of 31 grains of H4198 and 1.5” of backer rod. The accuracy is minute of deer out to 100 yards. The iron sights are quite fine with a small bead running the length of the top of the front blade. The bead is almost not discernible it is so fine, and is meant for much sharper younger eyes than mine, but I will slap on a pair of progressive glasses and all will be well with the world.

Edited by Postman (22/10/19 04:59 AM)


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RichB
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Posts: 94
Loc: Edinburgh
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: Postman]
      #333701 - 22/10/19 02:44 AM

Nice - does it have a serial number visible ?

--------------------
Alexander Henry's great great grandson
Collaborator on book Alexander Henry Rifle Maker by Donald Dallas


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85lc
.375 member


Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 889
Loc: Georgia, USA
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: RichB]
      #338676 - 05/03/20 03:24 AM

The serial number of my sealing rifle is 5218. It is located in Georgia.

--------------------
RB


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26413
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: NitroX]
      #338677 - 05/03/20 05:04 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Daryl - The cartridge is .50 X 1 1/2", I have a "baby" Howdah pistol in that calibre (posted here somewhere)



It is in Hoyem vol.3, I made cases from .500 BPE with difficulty as the chambers were very tight, probably made for foil cartridges as it is an early pistol

I will check out the auction pistols but way too much for me

TH44




Surprisingly "tiny' cartridges in "width" for the barrel size?




I agree, John - the barrels are very heavy for the ctg. dimension, almost as if it was a cut-down rifle, but the chambering is wrong for a rifle, of course, but, it appears to have been made to the same dimensions as a SxS rifle.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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TH44
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Reged: 21/02/09
Posts: 731
Loc: West UK
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: DarylS]
      #338725 - 06/03/20 09:16 AM

Hi Guys



The .500



My Wilkinson .577 Snider Howdah

Both appear ok??

TH44


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Ash
.400 member


Reged: 10/05/11
Posts: 1652
Loc: Australia
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: TH44]
      #338749 - 07/03/20 11:23 AM

Neither look heavy from that angle.

TH44 - does your muzzle loader 6 bore by AH appear on ledgers or do those not exist?

--------------------
.


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26413
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: TH44]
      #338758 - 07/03/20 12:54 PM

Quote:

Hi Guys



The .500



My Wilkinson .577 Snider Howdah

Both appear ok??

TH44




Right bore looks pretty good in both guns - hows the other bore?
I've used .577 Nitro brass for .50/70 brass by moving the rim forward for headspace reasons in a four or 5 spots around the periphery - and shortening, of course. It worked just fine.


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4seventy
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Reged: 07/05/03
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Loc: Queensland Australia
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: DarylS]
      #338769 - 07/03/20 06:20 PM

Quote:


I've used .577 Nitro brass for .50/70 brass by moving the rim forward for headspace reasons in a four or 5 spots around the periphery - and shortening, of course. It worked just fine.




Doesn't 577 Nitro Brass have a much larger base diameter than 50-70?
577 NE Base approx .660".
50-70 Base approx .565"


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RichB
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Reged: 01/07/17
Posts: 94
Loc: Edinburgh
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: Ash]
      #338822 - 08/03/20 10:28 PM

All the ledgers exist - what's the serial number ?

--------------------
Alexander Henry's great great grandson
Collaborator on book Alexander Henry Rifle Maker by Donald Dallas


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Huvius
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Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3517
Loc: Colorado
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: RichB]
      #338852 - 09/03/20 05:15 AM

Quote:


Doesn't 577 Nitro Brass have a much larger base diameter than 50-70?
577 NE Base approx .660".
50-70 Base approx .565"




I can't see how that could work. Maybe he meant 500NE but that is even too big I think.

--------------------
He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.


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85lc
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Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 889
Loc: Georgia, USA
Re: Alexander Henry - an inventory of surviving rifles [Re: RichB]
      #338862 - 09/03/20 07:24 AM

Quote:

All the ledgers exist - what's the serial number ?




RichB,
How do I get a copy of the ledger for the Henry rifles I own?

--------------------
RB


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