LOT Burley Auction Group  /  WESTERN AUCTION  / 

100

Historic Engraved Henry Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:25,000.00 USD Estimated At:50,000.00 - 100,000.00 USD
Historic Engraved Henry Rifle
All items sold as is where is. See photos for condition, email info@burleyauction.com or call 830-629-9280 (Prior to sale day) if you have specific condition questions.

Winning bidders will receive an invoice on or before the TUESDAY following the auction.
1860 Henry rifle, #2984, period engraved "Wm. L. Hymen, Co. H. Western Sharpshooters", showing cornucopia with American flag surrounded by light foliate borders, right side of frame engraved with American eagle clutching arrows and American flag, front left of frame is inscribed "Cole Younger" in crude non-professional script letters which are old, also a brass cover mounted to the barrel area of magazine tube is engraved in similar block letters "Coffieville". This particular rifle is picture on Page 46 of "The Winchester Book", by Madis, and a letter from Patrick Wagner traces the history of this Henry rifle back to the Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum in Shiner, TX. Another letter signed by Julius Wolters Hollmann mentions that the rifle was obtained by Edwin Wolters for his museum in the 1920's where the rifle was won in a Schutzenfest in Cat Springs, Texas. Also a letter from famous Texas gun collector Gaines deGraffenreid documents the acquisition of this Henry rifle from Edwin Wolters and the fact that he allowed it to be pictured in "The Winchester Book" in 1961. Barrel shows a gray/brown patina finish with light to moderate scattered surface pitting and erosion with slightly heavier pitting on the edges and top of barrel and scattered about, but generally fair to good overall, with barrel address mostly visible; frame shows a deep patina and is good to very good with minor dings, mars, scratches and carry marks; stock is good showing four inlays in the right buttstock, three oblong spangles or discs, and a five-pointed star at the center which is German silver: stock shows some weathering, small losses, even wear, carry, several picks and gouges, but generally good overall; buttplace shows a matching patina to the frame; hammer, trigger and lever also show a deep and dark patina; barrel collar has been period changed, rifle coverted to .44 CF, and a removable brass plate has been installed ingeniously at the joint of the barrel protecting an enlarged opening which is cut out of the magazine to facilitate loading without turning the barrel. It is interesting that the name "Cole Younger" is misspelled "Cole Yonger". Cole Younger, the outlaw, was a member of the Quantrille gang and rode with the outlaw brothers Frank and Jesse James. Also, "Coffieville" is a misspelling of "Coffeyville". The connection of Yonger or Younger to Coffeyville is not known. There is some knowledge of the Younger brothers spending time with their sister in Texas who kept her identity and location unknown as the outlaws were probably hiding out there. The Western Sharpshooters were a Civil War special forces unit used as skirmishers and snipers and accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea where they also acted as bodyguards to the person of Gen. Sherman. William Hymen, the original owner, was wounded near Dallas, Georgia, on the campaign to Atlanta. Company archives information confirms Hymen's service in the 66th Ill. Infantry. This rifle has been known in Texas collector's circles since the 1920's and has been displayed by the Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum, Shiner, TX; the Heritage Society Gallery of Texas History, Houston, Texas; and the Ft. Fisher Ranger Museum, Waco, TX. A very interesting Henry rifle whose complete history has never been completely explained and bears further research. Less than ten Western Sharpshooter engraved Henry rifles are known to knowledgeable Civil War collectors. Winner of most Historical Display at this Fall's T.G.C.A. Show -- 2008.
Sign In to Bookmark Lot