Question on making a U.S. Martially Marked Henry Rifle

[SGT John Chapman]

I bought a set of stamps that are the same font as the ones seen on the "H/CGC" marked Henrys.

If you had them would you add the marks to your Henry?   ....And if so what arrangement would you add?

Taylors or Cimarron offers/offered one marked "H/CGC" and "US" I kind of liked but didn't want to pay $100 extra for it....

Been thinking about this for a while but I don't want to do something stupid.....

Thanks!!

[St. George]

This is a little like the question of adding an original M1879 rear sight to an H&R Officer's Model Trapdoor - knowing that the base will obscure the top edges of the lettering on the barrel.

Decisions, decisions...

Not knowing if you can set up a fixture for them to be perfectly aligned, I'd say you're better off to pay the extra C-note, so they look 'right'.

If they're not - you may as well have martially-marked the weapon with an electro-pencil, since they'll stand out, and you'll always see that when you look at the piece.

The multi-initialled Inspectors markings and cartouches were single stamps - with all letters aligned as one.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[SGT John Chapman]

Seeing the originals,... they look like my 7 year old did it,....not that I want it to be that bad.....

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[St. George]

One thing about using a fixture or guide is a uniform depth - with no 'bounce' of the die - and that can and does happen - giving a 'shadow' appearance, or a double-stamped marking.

I don't think you really want that...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[SGT John Chapman]

Yeah,...that wouldn't be good either,.....

[St. George]

Tell you what.

First off - get some good 'clear' photos of the placement of the markings.

Then - head off to a 'good' machinist and see if he could help you out.

Often, something like this is a novel thing, and they enjoy doing the work - simple though it is for their trained hand.

Good Luck!

I know what you're going through - markings-wise - I bought one of the 'Colt 1873-1973 Peacemaker Centennials' recently - but didn't like that marking on the side of the barrel, so I sent it off for a properly-marked barrel and grip cartouches that will place it into the 1895-96 rebuilds that the Government did when they decreed that all revolvers have their barrels shortened.

Don't regret writing the check at all - since the work will be done 'right' - and that matters to me.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!