Henry Rifle Forums

A very good friend of mine gave me a civil war rifle today. It's 154 years old, has all of its original parts (including the bayonet) and seems to be in working condition. I would love to bring this rare piece of American history back to life. It has hung on the wall of a sportsman's bar for many, many decades and has not likely been cleaned or used since the 1800s, but it shows no sign of rust or any other serious deterioration, other than a small piece of chipped wood on the butt stock up top near the metal of the action (maybe occurring during wartime). It's also not loaded; I checked.

I plan to clean the exterior and the inside of the barrel with Ballistol and coat it in RenWax because I do not want to damage the very warm patina on both the wood and the steel, while also wanting to preserve and use it again.

Any advice about proceeding with conserving this wonderful rifle?

It's an awesome gun. I'm honored to own it.

OUTSTANDING .... OUTSTANDING INDEED .... as one point, I'd suggest you really soak where the primer nipple screws into the side of the barrel .... if you don't have one, they make a tool to remove and reinstall the nipple .... I've found that the small area below the nipple and the hole into the rear of the barrel can become clogged .... if you want to put it back into use, once you get that area cleared, you can do so .... all that being said, my first move would be to take it to a gunsmith in which you have confidence for a thorough inspection

You have a really, really good friend to have parted from it and given it to you. Very generous indeed.

Mags wrote:You have a really, really good friend to have parted from it and given it you. Very generous indeed.

I'm nearly 68 and we've been friends since I was 14. He's in the process of selling (or giving away) everything he and his wife own to set off on a retirement adventure exploring the U.S. in an RV. I will miss him. Friends like Harry are very, very rare... much more so than this rifle.

That gifted rifle makes a person nearly speechless. It is a very cool, history-filled rifle to have! BTW, you've taken a great photo to show it to us....looks to be in excellent condition at 154 years old.

But as you said, CT_Shooter, Harry's friendship is rare and has so much more value. You are a most blessed and fortunate man in having your friendship with him ongoing for almost 5-1/2 decades. Sorry that his planned U.S. explorations will take him away.....I cannot imagine how you will miss having him near.

Take care.
PT7

CT_Shooter wrote:I'm nearly 68 and we've been friends since I was 14. He's in the process of selling (or giving away) everything he and his wife own to set off on a retirement adventure exploring the U.S. in an RV. I will miss him. Friends like Harry are very, very rare... much more so than this rifle.

Wow that is very cool.

JeBar, "Take it to a confidence that you have confidence in" ? ? ?

CT have you put a bore light in it? What caliber is it? 58? If your wanting to shoot it you can buy the minnie balls for it online. Maybe you have a blackpowder store close buy. I might also suggest looking up a blackpowder club in your area and see if there is someone there that might be willing to lend a hand with shooting it should you decide to do so. I personally have not ever shot one of those . All of the rifles I own in Black are side locks both flint and percussion.

Travlin wrote:JeBar, "Take it to a confidence that you have confidence in" ? ? ?

thanks, went back and corrected it to read ===> Take it to a gunsmith that you have confidence in


dang spell check, if it is so smart, it should have known what I was trying to say ...

BigAl52 wrote:CT have you put a bore light in it? What caliber is it? 58?

It is a 58 and, no, I haven't seen the bore, yet. I'm currently looking around for a local smith who has experience working with these rifles, someone who can examine it and determine if it's possible (and advisable) to bring it back into service.

Hickok45 has one that's in excellent condition and he's produced two videos that have me excited to shoot it.

Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkkLO0UMXBU


Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwx679bGz-s