Henry Rifle Forums

Earlier today Steve posted "Another scratch in my Big Boy 45" in the Lounge Forum. He reminded me of the first scratch on my .357 Brass Big Boy. And as I like Henry wood very much, this was a hard one to see!

I didn't do the scratch, which is sometimes ever more difficult to swallow. My son-in-law was using my Henry when it happened. He had a friend over that day for their range time, and in moving around some other rifles, he knocked one into my Big Boy. Trying to repair the scratch/gouge, my son-in-law did a good job sanding it out, and it's so smooth the scratch can't even be seen --- other than all the missing stain on the forearm!! This first Big Boy "scratch" was the size I wrote in the subject line.

But the story has a good ending, which once again showcases Henry's fine CS. I contacted Tom Kotz to ask what kind of stain I could get from them to re-finish this forearm again. Instead of working on my inquiry, he sent me a new Big Boy forearm at no charge. And it was an easy and fun project to change out the scratched stock with a new one. Henry just doesn't fail to go that extra mile....or two....or three....or four......

Here are a couple of scratch photos. Glad this rifle forearm was "restored" by Henry!

Steve wrote:Got the Big Boy 45 out of the gun cabinet a little while ago. Just to wipe it down and work the action so I could marvel at how smooth it is.

I found a new scratch in the forearm, no doubt happened when I was retrieving or replacing another rifle in the cabinet. All my guns are for shooting so dings and scratches just happen. I try to avoid scratches, but it is carved in stone somewhere that my stuff is gonna get scratched.

Now that is the worlds largest scratch. Nice of Henry to take care of you the way they did. The scratch on mine just took of the finish. Looks like it got gouged by the post sight on my Small Game Carbine.

On a different subject the patina on the brass on my Big Boy is darkening a little and is real even. It looks pretty sharp right now. Not long ago I polished all the brass because the patina was un even.

Gotta love Henry CS. Now you have a spare forearm to practice carving or checkering on.

The checkering would be interesting to try, RSb.....

But what I'm thinking to do is simply refinish this forearm.
It won't be a beautiful "Bandit job," but maybe just a Band-Aid!

BTW, I was most impressed when I took this original forearm off the Big Boy. The workmanship is very, very good. And the wood-to-metal fit was nothing but perfect. Then when I installed the new forearm, it looked like Henry had made the second one to fit this rifle, too.

Henry sure does make beautiful products with their wood furniture. They are the folk that really know how to carve!

RetiredSeabee wrote:Gotta love Henry CS. Now you have a spare forearm to practice carving or checkering on.

Henry went way above the call of duty on that one.

Sir Henry wrote:Henry went way above the call of duty on that one.

I agree with Sir Henry on that one. Good for you.

The worst scratches are the ones like you got. When you loan a gun and it comes back scratched. I let my stepson take my Beretta Silver Mallard hunting. He got the biggest gouge in it I think he could have. He felt so bad he called me immediately. Now the gun has character.