J. Henry Build

I'm going to start collecting parts at Friendship this year for my next build. I've really taken a liking to the post 1820's J Henry trade rifles. I have some photo's of one from a museum that show a wide almost early lancaster style buttplate, a beavertail cheek and a lock that looks very close to a Chamber's late ketland, I think all I would need to do is round off the tail of the lock and it would be close enough for my taste to a Henry style lock. The barrel is only slightly swamped and about 40 inches and close to .50 caliber. I was thinking of maybe going with a straight .40 or .45 and making it a plinker or maybe squirrel with the .40.

Anyone ever build one of these? Have any tips?

 

[ehoff]

Can't help on a build but I can point you to some information on Henry rifles.
Visit www.jacobsburg.org this is the website for the Jacobsburg historical society that runs the site of the Henry Gun works at Bulton. The Pennsylvania Long Rifle Museum has several examples of Henry Guns, they also have several books with good photos of the rifles made at the Henry gunworks.

Hope this helps.

 

[StevePrice2]

There's a J.Henry trade rifle on a certain gun auction site right now. nice pics of it.

 

[Tyrone]

J.J. Henry Artificers

 

J.J. Henry Artificers

I'll second that. I know Larry and he's put a lot of research into that gun. It was based off the original Henry Lancaster rifle at the Museum of the Fur Trade. Its as good of a copy as you'll find.

Sean