Product Details
W. R. A. & A. CO.
A .577 / .450 (M/H) HENRY 1865 PATENT FALLING BLOCK TWO-BAND SERVICE RIFLE, no visible serial number,
33 1/4in. black powder only barrel engraved 'HENRY'S PATENT RIFLING', adjustable iron sights, block fore-sight, the muzzle band with integral bayonet lug and sling swivel, Henry patent falling block action, marked 'HENRY'S PATENT' to the left side and 'W. R. A. & A. CO. 1871' to the right, the left hand lock engraved 'ALEXR. HENRY', fully-stocked, 13 1/4in. pull including steel buttplate, the left side of the stock crudely initialled 'GJ', the right side of the stock marked 'N.S.W.', 'S', a broad arrow and 'N60'
Provenance: In 1866, the Secretary of State for War announced a competition to find a new military breech loader. Henry's 1865 design won the prize of £600 and focused much of his attention to making and marketing the military falling block rifle over and above the sporting examples.
One significant success was with Australia, in 1870 New South Wales ordering an initial 2500 rifles - which Henry subcontracted to the Westley Richards Arms & Ammunition Co. to build - it is likely this example will have been from this contract (later repeat orders were subcontracted to other companies in 1872, 77 and 1880)
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Estimate £800-1,200
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament