Iron frame Henry rifle set for $900,000 auction?

"The Finest iron frame Henry rifle in existence" is coming to auction next month.

That is the claim of Illinois' Rock Island Auction Company ahead of its Premiere Firearms Auction from September 13-15.

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The Henry rifle retains 100% of its original finish

It's a bold assertion, yet the rare rifle's complete original finish and all around superb condition make it a hugely desirable item for gun collectors - explaining its $900,000 high estimate.

New Haven Arms Co employee Benjamin Tyler Henry designed the Henry rifle in 1860, with the firearms manufactory producing around 14,000 up until 1866.

Of these, between 100 to 200 were iron frame examples - making them especially rare and sought after today.

An 1862 1st Model Henry Repeating rifle, featuring a brass frame, sold for $111,625 at Carol Watson's Orange Coast Auctions earlier this month, while an 1861 iron frame example made $120,000 at Rock Island Auction Company in 2012.

Henry rifles were used extensively during the US civil war.

"Firearms were manufactured to be used as tool," says Rock Island's owner, Patrick Hogan.

"Many 19th century firearms were in harsh conditions, exposed to hard use, stored improperly, not cleaned, or all of the above. This is the finest surviving example of the most desirable Henry rifle variation and presents the opportunity for one special collector or investment buyer to own the absolute best."

Winchester rifle
This superb Winchester has a $500,000 valuation

The Henry evolved into the Winchester Model 1866 lever-action rifle. The auction will feature a factory relief engraved example signed by Conrad Ulrich. It has a $500,000 valuation.

The sale will also star a jacket that General George Custer may have been wearing when he was shot and killed at the battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. It has a $300,000 high estimate.

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