Author Topic: Blakeslee Box with a Henry?  (Read 2466 times)

Online Coal Creek Griff

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Blakeslee Box with a Henry?
« on: September 14, 2015, 07:24:26 PM »
I was watching the movie "Arizona" (1940) with Jean Arthur and William Holden (a pretty good movie, by the way) and in one scene, Jean presents William with a brand-new Henry rifle (which is, of course, an original).  She also gives him a Blakeslee cartridge box, explaining that it has tubes of additional ammunition, removing a tube and showing him.

I suppose it makes sense that you could use a Blakeslee box with a Henry rifle, but I'm wondering if there is any basis for that.  I had only heard of them being used with Spencers.  Is this just a Hollywood invention/confusion, or were those two items used together?

By the way, "Arizona" has been discussed elsewhere.  There are actually quite a number of period weapons on display in that film.

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Offline major

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Re: Blakeslee Box with a Henry?
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2015, 08:50:56 PM »
It is just Hollywood.  The Blakeslee box was a rare item even in 1863 and really doesn’t lend itself to being used with a Henry.
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Offline Buck Stinson

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Re: Blakeslee Box with a Henry?
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2015, 01:13:04 PM »
I love old movies like this one, because all of the gear is old original stuff.  Did you notice that the original Henry used is factory engraved?  I've seen this same Henry in an old Randolph Scott movie, being used by film actor Andrew Dugan.   I can't remember the name of the movie, but you can see several close up shots of the rifle. The Blakeslee box is also an original.

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Re: Blakeslee Box with a Henry?
« Reply #3 on: Today at 10:06:42 AM »

Online Coal Creek Griff

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Re: Blakeslee Box with a Henry?
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2015, 03:01:08 PM »
I didn't notice the engraving.  I saw something that I thought was surface damage/scratches, but I didn't take a close look.  I'll have to pop the disc back in this evening.  Thanks!

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Offline Blair

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Re: Blakeslee Box with a Henry?
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2015, 03:29:51 PM »
I did develop my six tube Blakeslee quick load box with smaller tubes so I could use .44 Russian, .44wcf, or .45 Colt to load my Henry.
I never had reason to use it in competition , but it did work. I had to put the ammo in backwards from the intended Spencer usage, but it did work.
Was there anything historical about it... I doubt it!
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Offline matt45

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Re: Blakeslee Box with a Henry?
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2015, 09:41:28 AM »
vis-a-viz the Henry in Arizona.  Is it factory engraved, or was it done after the fact, and how would one identify as such? 

Offline Sean Thornton

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Re: Blakeslee Box with a Henry?
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2015, 07:55:38 PM »
I have a "Blakeslee Box" for my Henry that I used years ago in reenacting, not correct but was fun at some events. It has 6 tubes holding 15 blank rounds made of .44 Special brass.
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