079-1123-8573, Inscribed and identified Winchester M-1860 1st Model Henry Rifle in 44 RF. 15 round magazine. It shows rich original patina on the brass frame. Rich dark barrel patina, crisp barrel address, #22xx, correct first model range with slot in the frame for moving the rear sight. Visible Henry bump, never sanded or buffed. Fine wood to metal fit, with light bumps, dings and chips along wood edges. The name: AUSTIN T. JOHNSON is inscribed on the side of the frame. Looking on Civilwardata.com, there are several Austin Johnson’s. There is only one Austin T. Johnson, he mustered into “D” Co. OH 34th Infantry in July of 1861 until he transferred out in February of 1865. The most recent inscribed Henry Rifle I found was sold by Rock Island Auction Co, In May of 2023, realized price was: $76,325. You can view this gun on their web site.

A period inscribed Henry Rifle to a soldier is incredibly rare, I have only seen a handful in 25 years. Rich patina, original, a collectible that frankly I will never be able to duplicate. Very good plus overall. The gun is a first model, with original bump, and inscribed. All features that make it more desirable than the average Henry Rifle.

The Ohio 34th Infantry spent the entire war fighting in West Virginia and Virginia. From 9/61 until 2/65 the unit lost 10 officers in battle and 120 enlisted men. More than the average unit. The gun comes with paperwork describing the Units activity during the Civil War. I looked this gun up in Wiley Swords book on Henry Rifles, his book identifies all the identified and inscribed Henry Rifles at the time of publishing of that book. This was an unknown gun at that time, deep in a personal collection. There is some question as to the middle initial being a T or an F. I looked up script lettering from the Civil War and it could be either. The cross on the letter is from the tail of a flourish decoration taht was used 4 times in the signature. Half moon with a wavy line in the middle. Was it to cross the T and make it into an F, or was that just the way it turned out? To make matters slightly more interesting, an Austin T and Austin F both served in the Ohio 34th Infantry. One is found in Civilwardata.com. ONe is found on Ancestory.com. The nature of these guns, they were alway highly valued and never inscribed for fun. Everyone who has looked at it definitely feels it is a Civil War inscription. Later inscriptions were done differently.

Est. Retail Value: $40,000