Iron JJ Henry

[snap]

Do any of you know where I could find pictures of an iron mounted JJ Henry flint rifle of the 1820 - 1840 period?  I'm specifically looking for a picture or even just a description of the patch box.

Thanks,

Kevin

[Chuck Burrows]

As far as I know there are no existing iron mounted J.J. Henry. The image of the one often shown in several books as an iron mounted Henry is actually a North Carolina marked rifle using some Henry parts.

Here are a couple of original orders:
Steel mounted Henrys:
1) Sept 1831 Henry received an order for "10 rifles, sing. trig. bar[rels] 3 ft. 4 inches. Cal. 32 [to the pound]. 5 inch locks, best quality, maple stock, chequered, steel mt. with covers, weight of the gun when completed not less than 10# [lbs)nor more than 11."
3) another order to Henry, given in September of 1833, also called for steel mountings: "20 Rifles, Single trickers, Steel mounted same as last year, Balls 28 per lb and [browned] barrels 3 f 2 in long, The whole rifle not to weigh less than 10 lb. nor more than 11 lb."

Note that these are described as steel mounted - the reason being the wrought iron mounts were case hardened.
Barrels: 38-40" browned - early ones may have been swamped, later they may be straight or tapered
Lock: 5" other orders for Lancaster/American rifles note earlier ones used non waterproof pans like the Chambers Late Ketland as well as locks with water proof pans.
Stocks: maple with checkered wrists
Mounts: case hardened wrought iron
Covers: most likely wool covers for the rifles
Weight: 10-11 pounds
Gauges/Calibers: 54 & 58
Triggers: Single, but other Henry's use doubles
As for the pattern of the patchbox, I would look at the existing American/Lancaster Henry Rifles and copy the style used, although the simple box used on the English Model was used on the 1834 and later scroll guard/New English rifles may be just as appropriate. IMO the scroll guard is a descendant of the iron mounted rifles.