JJ Henry & Sons - Not sure what I have here

[Skyjacked97ZJ]

So this has been in my family forever, all I know about it is that it says JJ Henry & Sons - Boulton on the lock. It has a 42" barrel and I am not sure of what caliber it is. It also came with a powder horn that I'd assume is from the same period. I'd like to know any information that you guys have about this rifle. Can provide more detailed pictures if they are needed.

[Seth Isaacson]

Check this post out for detailed information on the Henry gunmakers:
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=22490.0

[spgordon]

J.J. Henry and Son--singular: he had just one son (James). J. Joseph Henry moved back to Boulton from Philadelphia in 1822 and died in 1836. His son, James, was born in 1809--so he was only 13 in 1822 and I would suspect it would be some years before the firm's name would be called "J. J. Henry and Son," though to be honest I don't know when. But I would guess this dates from 1830-1836.

[spgordon]

And here's your man, J. Joseph Henry:

[rich pierce]

Excellent rifle.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... nice old gun,.... looks like about 1/3 of the forestock was replaced at some time ... is the barrel also signed, or are we just looking at a Henry lock,..... did they sell their locks on the market to other gun makers,...?

[jdm]

Nice Lancaster pattern rifle .It would be interesting to know about what caliber it is. As  CCF says the forestock  wood has been replaced .  Some of this type , BUT NOT ALL  were used  for the Indian trade and the fur trade.  Neat gun!  Is there a name on the top flat of the  barrel?     My guess is Henry but could also be made by Tryon.  Thanks for posting.

By the way Welcome .

[wildcatter]

Awesome family heirloom, thanks for sharing.

Matt

[Skyjacked97ZJ]

There is no name on the barrel anywhere that I can find. How do I figure out what caliber it is?

[rich pierce]

Make sure it’s unloaded by inserting the ramrod and noting depth. Then comparing that to barrel. Should go all the way to the breechplug.

Do you have a micrometer or dial caliper?  Essential for accurate determination of caliber at the muzzle.

[Skyjacked97ZJ]

I do have a caliper. Measure the inside of the bore with it and that equals the caliber? Made sure it was unloaded before I started handling it for photos. Safety first.

[rich pierce]

Yes a caliper will measure it. Not sure if you have discrete lands and grooves there but you can try to measure land to land. Also you could jam a tapered dowel in there and measure that, or cast a slug and measure that to determine caliber a couple inches down.

[Skyjacked97ZJ]

At the muzzle the caliper measures it as a .50 cal. I know almost nothing about black powder firearms, my area of expertise lies in cartridge double guns.

With that being said, any guesses as to a value on this thing? Is it worth adding to an insurance policy? Also, after talking to my mom it isn't a family heirloom, my grandfather apparently bought it at a flea market. I got the wrong story on it as a kid I guess.

[varsity07840]

I don't see a rear sight on the gun. Could it be a buck and ball gun, given the shot flask?

[Skyjacked97ZJ]

There is a rear sight, its a small notched sight about 10" or so from the start of the barrel.

[Ironglove]

I have a JJ Henry .52 cal.  Straight rifled definitely a Buck and ball gun. It sold at a farm auction for a dollar or so, the buyer dug the silver out of it and threw the gun away. My dad, the scrounge, picked it up and brought it home. The original stock was walnut, he restocked it with curly maple, cast a buttplate and made a hammer. the lock, barrel, ramrod pipes, and patchbox and trigger guard are original are original. If you have any doubt that yours is a true Henry, remove the patchbox inlay and look at the underside of inlay in front of the hinge. On mine it says J J Henry

[moseswhite]

Very nice Henry trade rifle . Thanks for sharing it with us ! I have several of this same pattern . Yours looks to be a mid 30's gun with the large trade gun style lock .