Referenced Australian A. Henry Military Rifle With New South Wales Markings

Serial #63, .577/.450 Martini-Henry, 33 1/4" barrel with a very good bore that has some mild freckling and pitting within the grooves. This rifle is one of the first batch ordered from Alexander Henry (and subsequently subcontracted to Westley Richards) in 1870. Originally, the rifle had a 34 1/2" barrel chambered in .450 Boxer-Henry Long, but it was converted to .577/.450 Martini-Henry after that cartridge was adopted, necessitating a set back of 1 1/4". The rifle has some traces of blue on the protected areas of the barrel, but the balance exhibits a mellow plum-brown patina with some mild freckling in spots. The "W.R.A. & A, Co." (Westley Richards Arms & Ammunition Co.) marked receiver and left-hand lock have an overall dull pewter gray patina with thin freckling throughout, and some remnants of an old, added blue finish on the trigger guard tang. The walnut forend has numerous small handling marks and minor blemishes throughout, with a thick, added oil finish that has nearly obliterated the serial number on the underside just ahead of the action: "63". The buttstock is in matching condition, but the New South Wales markings on the right side of the buttstock are still crisp and clear: "N.S.W. / N 10" with "(arrow) / S / (arrow)" surcharge. A correct iron ramrod is included, and the action is fully functional. This particular rifle is mentioned by serial and stock number on page 49 of "The British Falling Block Breechloading Rifle from 1865" by Johnathan G. Kirton; (1985). These Australian-used Alexander Henry rifles are rarely encountered in the United States, and this example is in good-very good condition. Antique