Model : New South Wales Service rifle

Description: .450/577” New South Wales issue Henry service rifle. Back action lock marked ALEXr HENRY fitted to the left side of the gun to allow easy loading by a right handed shooter. Action marked to the left with HENRYS PATENT and to the right WRA&A Co 1871 for manufacture by Wesley Richards. Walnut stock with regulation iron furniture stamped to the right side with NSW and broad arrow ordnance ownership marks next to rack number 72. Henry rifled barrel with ladder rear sight to 1150 yards is stamped to the top HENRYS PATENT RIFLING. Submitted by Henry for the British army trials for a purpose built breach loader the barrel was chosen to be fitted to the action submitted by Mr Martini to make the famous Martini Henry rifle. British demand for the new rifle was so great that the Australian forces were not due to be issued with their new guns for some years and so New South Wales decided instead to order the Henry rifle to re equip its troops with a modern rifle which was available at once the guns being made by BSA and in this case Wesley Richards. In good condition with fair bore and much finish to the barrel with a nice, well marked clean stock. An interesting colonial issue gun and the rifle that was so nearly adopted by the British army of the Zulu period.