Henry Repeating Arms Donates Model 1860 Henry and First Original Henry Rifle to the NRA Foundation
OutdoorHub 03.17.14
A legendary Henry lever-action rifle and serial number one of the new Original Henry rifle line will be auctioned together for the National NRA Foundation Banquet and Auction on Thursday, April 24 in Indianapolis thanks to a donation by Henry Repeating Arms. The pair joins an incredible fundraising event which will raise money for the future of America’s shooting traditions and kick off the 2014 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits.
“Henry’s generous support over the last two decades has been vital to The NRA Foundation’s success at its national events,” said John DaSilva, NRA’s Director of Industry Partnerships. “We are honored to have the opportunity to auction these historically rich Henry rifles at this year’s NRA Foundation Banquet and raise money for the next generation of shooting sports enthusiasts.”
The two-gun set includes the well-worn Model 1860 Henry, stamped with serial number 8261 and manufactured in 1865, used to reverse-engineer Benjamin Tyler Henry’s classic design and develop the tooling for the new Original Henry Rifle line. Completing the pair is the Original Henry Deluxe Engraved serial number BTH0001, the first Henry produced in nearly 150 years.
“My family has been in the firearms business since 1911 and the NRA has been by our side since day one,” said Anthony Imperato, President of Henry Repeating Arms. “We are eternally grateful to the NRA for defending our Second Amendment rights, for upholding the traditions of hunting and the shooting sports, and for their tireless efforts to promote firearms safety. Our donation of this outstanding pair of Henry rifles is a small token of our appreciation.”
The new .44-40-cal. Original Henry Rifle’s hardened brass-framed receiver has been hand-engraved by the artisans at Baron Engraving of Trumbull, CT, featuring the likeness of B. Tyler Henry on the right side and the original Henry factory on the left. Additionally, the rifle sports a one-piece 24 ½” octagonal barrel/tubular feed, a genuine American fancy walnut buttstock, and a classic folding ladder rear sight paired with a traditional blade front sight. The auction items will include a certificate of authenticity provided by Henry Repeating Arms.
“Baron Engraving is very proud to have been chosen for this landmark project. Each rifle has a special place in history and together they create a rare opportunity for Henry collectors,” said David Baron, President of Baron Technology. “As our greatest ally in the battle to maintain our rights and freedoms, we can never do enough for the NRA.”
Bidding for the set is open through GunBroker.com at http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=399110477. All proceeds will benefit The NRA Foundation, America’s leading charitable organization in support of the organizations and programs that ensure the legacy of hunting and the shooting sports.
“Just as the NRA has provided a historic and rock-solid defense of our Second Amendment rights and firearms liberties for more than 140 years, these two Henry rifles represent an extraordinary link between the original Model 1860 Henry rifle and the renewed manufacture of this American classic today,” commented Don Hall, Chief Executive Officer of GunBroker.com.
If you are interested in bidding on these firearms, contact Special Events Coordinator Katie Parkes at (703) 267-1417 or kparkes@nrahq.org. Learn more about the auction at www.friendsofnra.org/annualmeeting.
