Soon to be 1860 henry owner

[Deadguy]

Well, I've decided to get an 1860 henry, going to be .45 LC because I already load for that caliber.  Now which one should it be?  My 7 year old stepdaughter says I should get the one with the charcoal blued barrel.  Any reason that I shouldn't follow her advice?

[Will Ketchum]

The charcoal blue isn't very hardy.  I have it on my  73 and it rusts very easily and wears off.  It does look nice and if you get a jar of Renaissance wax like museums use it will protect it better than most other choices.

Will Ketchem

[Deadguy]

Were the originals charcoal blued?  Because if they were, then having it wear  and age like the originals did isn't neccesarily a bad thing.

[Ransom Gaer]

I can't answer if the originals were charcoal blued.  All of my cowboy guns are showing some wear as I use them, as it should be.  Some more than others.  I have two 1873 SAA that have a charcoal bluing and they are wearing much more quickly than anything else.  They look kinda neat that way.  Now my 1866 and my Henry the bluing isn't wearing that quickly, but the brass finish on them is tarnishing rather nicely.  They are both developing a nice patina like they should.  BP residue helps here.  And no I don't plan to polish then up amytime soon.   I like them the way they are.  Better to sneak up on the bad guys with.

Ransom Gaer

[Major 2]

I had a charcoal blue fluted Cyl. 1860 Army.
As the finish aged it did wear thin in some places and overall to a most pleasing brown patina.
I liked it  ...

You'll like the Henry, I've owned 3 ( I let one an 1980 model in 44-40 get away ) I still have 2 ( a Mil. Model and a Steel Frame model) both in 45 Colt.

You might have a choice in finish , In the white, Browned, Blued & the Charcoal blue... all mine were Blue.
In all the years mounted reenacting with the 80 Model and shooting the other two, the only issue was a bent magazine spring on the 44-40 and that was my fault.
I hung it up on a branch dismounting.

Enjoy it