Henry Rifle Forums

So I just got this recently and posted some pics with my introduction. I am still searching for more info and have not heard back from Navy Arms or Val Forgett III on this one of 500 rifles made in the 1960's in New Jersey, but I did end up cleaning it a bit. It started with a few spots I didn't like and so I rubbed on them to remove some black scuffs just little mm size stuff. Well then the rest of the gun didn't match the areas where I removed marks and 10 hours latter here is what she looks like.

Yup, you did "end up cleaning it a bit."
That 10 hours of labor is quite evident. Great job, and great looking rifle
PT7

What caliber is it? Sure looks good cleaned up.

* oh I see 44.40 on the barrel.

Great job and great looking rifle! Sure hope you hear back and have more story to share!

Thanks for posting!

10 hrs well spent .... well spent indeed

Discus420 wrote:... It started with a few spots I didn't like and so I rubbed on them to remove some black scuffs just little mm size stuff. Well then the rest of the gun didn't match the areas where I removed marks and 10 hours latter ....

That brass came out looking mighty fine! Nice work!

Very nice rifle.

well I got a reply from Navys arms they said they had no records all the original Navy arms records were turned over to the BATF I guess todays Navy Arms is not the same company even though Val Forgett III is the president the old navy arms was his dad. I am at the end of the road for more info.

Did you try reaching out to Henry USA to see if they either have any old records or if they might be able to lead you to another source of information? It seems like they might be interested in helping you research its history, just because of whatever connection is might have to their own research on the history of the original Henrys, which you'd think would be pretty extensive.
Just a thought...

Discus420 wrote:well I got a reply from Navys arms they said they had no records all the original Navy arms records were turned over to the BATF I guess todays Navy Arms is not the same company even though Val Forgett III is the president the old navy arms was his dad. I am at the end of the road for more info.

You might try a FOIA with the BATF.

Discus420 wrote:well I got a reply from Navys arms they said they had no records all the original Navy arms records were turned over to the BATF I guess todays Navy Arms is not the same company even though Val Forgett III is the president the old navy arms was his dad. I am at the end of the road for more info.

There is also a PDF file here that lists Navy Arms Historical Products from 1956 onwards.
http://www.navyarms.com/History.php

Discus420 wrote:well I got a reply from Navys arms they said they had no records all the original Navy arms records were turned over to the BATF I guess todays Navy Arms is not the same company even though Val Forgett III is the president the old navy arms was his dad. I am at the end of the road for more info.

You might really be interested in this one. Sold for $960 In July this year. S/N 904. Lots of pictures after scrolling down. I also saved the details and pictures to my PC in case you wanted a copy. Their site is not setup for capturing information easily.
https://www.gunauction.com/buy/14947298

Auctions are typically a good 'benchmark' of value and demand - but recently I have seen some ridicules amounts paid for guns (or at least what was the final bid) that were way higher than what the gun would normally sell for - even when subtracting the 30-35% auction fees & commissions This sold for what I would consider these Henrys to probably be worth. While rare they are probably not in high demand (rare doesn't always equate to demand OR value) but probably enough interest exists to always ensure one will sell if advertised.
Hey - I may be keeping a sharper eye out in the future when I am in Pawn Shops & gun shows!

ESquared wrote:Did you try reaching out to Henry USA to see if they either have any old records or if they might be able to lead you to another source of information? It seems like they might be interested in helping you research its history, just because of whatever connection is might have to their own research on the history of the original Henrys, which you'd think would be pretty extensive.
Just a thought...

I will try this....

Mags wrote:

Discus420 wrote:well I got a reply from Navys arms they said they had no records all the original Navy arms records were turned over to the BATF I guess todays Navy Arms is not the same company even though Val Forgett III is the president the old navy arms was his dad. I am at the end of the road for more info.

You might really be interested in this one. Sold for $960 In July this year. S/N 904. Lots of pictures after scrolling down. I also saved the details and pictures to my PC in case you wanted a copy. Their site is not setup for capturing information easily.
https://www.gunauction.com/buy/14947298

That looks to be one for sure a little beat up but 10 or so hours of polishing and you got bling!

I have seen one other like this but it had proof marks underside, on the bottom, you would have to look at it with the breech open
looks very close to mine for sure thanks a bunch this make 3 so far that I have found on the internet one was on the gunboards forum
Notice this one does not make mention of the gun being a made in the USA although I believe it is can be for sure with out a pics of the underside with the breech in the open position but this give a least one data point on price beside my own... Thanks Mags good eye.......

Mistered wrote:Auctions are typically a good 'benchmark' of value and demand - but recently I have seen some ridicules amounts paid for guns (or at least what was the final bid) that were way higher than what the gun would normally sell for - even when subtracting the 30-35% auction fees & commissions This sold for what I would consider these Henrys to probably be worth. While rare they are probably not in high demand (rare doesn't always equate to demand OR value) but probably enough interest exists to always ensure one will sell if advertised.
Hey - I may be keeping a sharper eye out in the future when I am in Pawn Shops & gun shows!

It looks like there are 3 versions. Uberti made in Italy the newest, then an in between parts made in Italy but assembled in N.J. with proofs but no Uberti stamp. and the earliest of the modern 1866 yellow boys like mine with no Italian influence made by Val Forgett Jr. in New Jersey

pretty cool thanks for all the info people very much appreciated

Discus420 wrote:

ESquared wrote:Did you try reaching out to Henry USA to see if they either have any old records or if they might be able to lead you to another source of information? It seems like they might be interested in helping you research its history, just because of whatever connection is might have to their own research on the history of the original Henrys, which you'd think would be pretty extensive.
Just a thought...

I will try this....

A good place to start would probably be Patrick Hall: patrick@henryusa.com

Keep us posted!

Discus420 wrote:... Notice this one does not make mention of the gun being a made in the USA although I believe it is can be for sure with out a pics of the underside with the breech in the open position but this give a least one data point on price beside my own... Thanks Mags good eye.......

The auction notice and the stamp on the top of the barrel indicate it was made in USA.
Not sure what proof mark you mean. 'National Proofing' is a Euro thing.

My last question on this rifle is subjective I just want a few opinions. I am thinking of selling this rifle, probably local at first and see how it goes. What would be a fair price for this rifle? I was thinking 900$ but I'm just throwing out a wild guess. I don't do business with Gunbroke so I wont list it on that auction site but what do you think is the fair value of this rifle?? Ive heard all the soapbox answers to this question before.. "It worth what someone will pay for it" and so on...….. I'm just looking for price ideas 400$ 900$ 1100$ what say you??

This is going to be a tough one. Biggest problem is the LACK of others to compare prices and gauge interest. While some guns are very desirable they may not necessarily be 'rare' so there are a fair amount in circulation to compare to.
This is a unique piece and although relatively scarce I firmly believe BECAUSE the current Italian made replicas are popular there are people who would want one of these and have probably been looking but the scarcity reduces their ability to find one. Heck there are probably more ORIGINAL Henrys than these but that does not make them more valuable.
I would seriously spend some keyboard time and research collector and resell sites and/or brokers of Winchester rifles.
I occasionally peruse this site and it might not be a bad idea to contact them and let them know what you have and maybe they can give you some assistance. And while you are on the site check out the Original Henrys for sale and the prices!
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/winchesters/