A fine Pennsylvania Flintlock Long Rifle by J J Henry of Lehigh/Northampton County circa 1830

This fine gun is typical of the late 'Golden Age' of Kentucky rifles but having a mimumum of ornamentation. It is in untouched original condition and has an overall length of 56 1/2". The .50 cal. smoothbore octagonal barrel measures 40 1/2." The full stock is made of tiger maple and is inlaid with several brass and bone inlays. The lovely striped ramrod is of the period and may well be original to the gun. John Joseph Henry (died in 1836) inherited his fathers' business and was a prolific producer of guns in the late 1820's and early 1830's. His biggest customer was the American Fur Company which purchased many of his guns and then traded them with the Indians. His high quality lock closely resembles the fine English made locks of the period. The barrels he used were purchased from several local barrel manufactures and were usualy unsigned. His company was called the Boulton Arms Works but nothing is left of the factory and no place called Boulton exists today. Despite the numbers of guns made, Henry guns are quite rare today and seldom come on the market.