Henry Big Boy Brass Receivers

[Lead Head]

I know the question about Henry brass receivers comes up a lot. Is it brass, plating, solid or otherwise. There is a lot of misinformation on the internet about these brass receivers.

I agree with those that say the brass receivers are solid brass, actually solid brass alloy. The real question is "What alloy"? Today I placed a small magnet on my Henry brass receiver and it sticks. Magnets will only stick to a metal that has some percentage of iron or steel in it. I didn't know iron and brass could be used to form an alloy, but the magnet doesn't lie.

One person said the brass receivers are an alloy of 95% brass and 5% Zink. I don't think a magnet will be attracted to Zink

Monday I will be on the phone with Henry to see how much information they can share with me about these BRASS receivers. Hopefully Henry will be able to provide enough information to put to rest any misinformation or speculation about them.

[Mgderf]

You are correct in that magnets are not attracted to brass or zinc.
Magnets are only attracted to steel.
Maybe there is a steel reinforcement embedded inside the brass.

[Vaquero]

Interesting, I'll be waiting on your findings.

RP

[markiver54]

Don't know the answer regarding the magnet, however, the brass receivers are heat treated to have the same tensile strength as steel.I know that doesn't answer your question...just thought I'd throw it in. You probably already knew that though.

[Mistered]

I just tried this myself and as I suspected the magnet did not stick tightly to the receiver but there was a mild 'attraction'.
I once read Henry receivers are made of gunmetal which is an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc.
Due to the conductivity of brass and copper a magnet will appear to be attracted to it due to the way these metals react to the magnetic field created by the magnet itself and a resistance is created but it is not a true magnetic attraction.
Google 'paramagnetism' for an explanation of this.

[Ojaileveraction]

OP,
It sounds like Magic or sorcery.
Get to the bottom of this issue and inform us all please!

[Mistered]

It sounds like Magic or sorcery.

No. Just the science of metal and magnetism.
I'll try to make it easier:

Paramagnetism is a form of magnetism whereby some materials are weakly attracted by an externally applied magnetic field, and form internal, induced magnetic fields in the direction of the applied magnetic field.

I may have another answer however. I took my 'pencil' magnet and tried it on random areas of the receiver and some spots the magnetism was greater and some areas there was none - well I discovered the areas where the magnetism was greater were areas that were closer to larger steel parts such as the bolt and trigger assembly.

I believe the reason for the magnetism is nothing more than the magnet is reacting to the steel parts in the receiver.

[Mags]

.
Exactly!

... I believe the reason for the magnetism is nothing more than the magnet is reacting to the steel parts in the receiver.

[Lead Head]

Mistered quote.
No. Just the science of metal and magnetism.
I'll try to make it easier:

Paramagnetism is a form of magnetism whereby some materials are weakly attracted by an externally applied magnetic field, and form internal, induced magnetic fields in the direction of the applied magnetic field.

I may have another answer however. I took my 'pencil' magnet and tried it on random areas of the receiver and some spots the magnetism was greater and some areas there was none - well I discovered the areas where the magnetism was greater were areas that were closer to larger steel parts such as the bolt and trigger assembly.

I believe the reason for the magnetism is nothing more than the magnet is reacting to the steel parts in the receiver.

I agree with Mistered. I failed to consider what should have been obvious. Thanks for pointing out my mistake.

[Mistered]

Thanks for pointing out my mistake.

No mistake just overlooked the obvious !
Heck I was interested as well and had to check it out for myself!