1860 Replica by H.R.A.? Any truth to this?

Pancho Peacemaker · February 17, 2012, 09:35:27 AM

Was reading a thread on the SASS Wire and a poster claimed that Henry Repeating Arms (company that make the Big Boy, etc....) is planning an 1860 Replica to be on the shelves at the end of 2012.

I've searched high and low for information to validate this . . . haven't found any.

Anyone have more info on this? Truth or hogwash?

Abilene · February 17, 2012, 12:32:15 PM

I have no idea. But about a year ago I talked to a HRAC rep at a dealer show and asked him if they had ever considered making an 1860. He replied that they had thought about it and it was a possibility - just all boiled down to financial considerations. Expensive to tool up to build it, expensive to produce, and limited market. But they were considering it. If they were to come out with one (a good one), a lot of opinions about the company might change.

Sean Thornton · February 17, 2012, 01:19:45 PM

I know that about 6 months ago I sent them an e-mail suggesting that they should make a true Civil War Henry rifle. In the answer I got they were open to the idea. I also know of several others that have e-mailed the company wanting an American made Civil War Henry rifle. The market is out there for HRA to make a profit on whatever tooling up they would have to do.

Sean Thornton · February 17, 2012, 01:35:08 PM

Here is the answer I just got from the company;

Yes we will probably be coming out with one by the end of 2012.

Catherine Scarpa
Customer Service

Henry Repeating Arms, Co.
59 East 1st Street
Bayonne, NJ 07002

Tel (201) 858-4400
Fax (201) 858-4435
----- Original Message -----
From: Sean Thornton
To: kathy@henryrepeating.com
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 2:24 PM
Subject: RE: Henryrepeating.com: Contact Message from Andrew Bresnan

I have been hearing rumors about the fact that the Henry Repeating Arms Company is planning on making a correct Civil War M1860 similar to what Uberti is producing now. I would love to have an American made Civil War style Henry rifle as I have mentioned before. Can you tell me if there is any truth to the rumors? I always believe in going to the source for information and not spreading or adding to a rumor.

Thank you for any information you can provide.

Victory thru rapid fire,
Andrew L. Bresnan
National Henry Rifle Company
http://44henryrifle.webs.com/
Western Sharpshooters
http://westernsharpshooters.webs.com/

Fox Creek Kid · February 28, 2012, 03:04:23 AM

I'll believe it when I see it.

Major 2 · February 28, 2012, 05:57:51 AM

Being as how the company's founder the late Lou Imperato was largely involved with Colt's 3rd. Generation Black Powder Series
so called signature series, As well as the last run of 2nd Gens.

The son Anthony's success, with Company in the following years, I've give this a better than even chance of frutation.

I'd bet we see this new Henry, perhaps a King patent ( maybe even a 66 ) before you'll ever see a Merwin & Hurbert.

Deadeye Don · February 28, 2012, 06:27:52 AM

This would be wonderful.

Speaking of Merwin Hulberts, did you all note that the Henry Company did not ask for deposits for their project?

Pettifogger · February 28, 2012, 08:39:45 AM

Quote from: Major 2 on February 28, 2012, 05:57:51 AM
Being as how the company's founder the late Lou Imperato was largely involved with Colt's 3rd. Generation Black Powder Series
so called signature series, As well as the last run of 2nd Gens.

The son Anthony's success, with Company in the following years, I've give this a better than even chance of frutation.

I'd bet we see this new Henry, perhaps a King patent ( maybe even a 66 ) before you'll ever see a Merwin & Hurbert.

Be GREAT if they do it. But, remember, the 3rd Gen Colts were made from Uberti parts. It might make sense economically for them to buy the raw parts from Uberti and finish them in the U.S.. Starting from scratch on a gun with such a limited market wouldn't seem to make economic sense. Will be interesting to see what they come up with.

Major 2 · February 28, 2012, 10:40:20 AM

That makes sense and going by Imperato family track record , That's what I'll bet is happening ...

UFPFA (USFA) did it
Doug Turnbull is doing it now ( Uberti Buntline )

Sean Thornton · February 28, 2012, 03:32:35 PM

Quote from: Pettifogger on February 28, 2012, 08:39:45 AM
Be GREAT if they do it. But, remember, the 3rd Gen Colts were made from Uberti parts. It might make sense economically for them to buy the raw parts from Uberti and finish them in the U.S.. Starting from scratch on a gun with such a limited market wouldn't seem to make economic sense. Will be interesting to see what they come up with.

I am thinking that this might be what they do, but maybe not. At any rate it will be interesting to see if a "true" Henry Civil War version comes from them and if it is an American made rifle.

Col. Riddles · February 29, 2012, 04:50:46 PM

I'm the one that posted the 1860 Henry in the SASS Classifieds and I got the info direct from Kevin McGuire in HRA customer service.

Fox Creek Kid · February 29, 2012, 05:11:59 PM

Aldo Uberti "rediscovered" the method to make the magazine integral as that metal folding looks to be a real SOB IMO.

I hope they pull it off, but after the mess that was their attempted "ingratiation" into CAS and the subsequent usage of what many appeared to be totally misleading advertising (their false inferrance to direct Henry lineage) I have little faith in them. This is the same co. that has resorted to late night TV infomercials to sell their rifles for cryin' out loud.

Plus, I don't see how an American based co. in of all places New York can get around lawyer safeties. It'll proabably have a big fat tang safety on it. But you can cover that up when you mount an Aimpoint!!

Galloway · March 01, 2012, 12:24:36 PM

I just hope they chamber it for a straight walled 44 cartridge.

Sean Thornton · March 01, 2012, 03:22:38 PM

Quote from: Galloway on March 01, 2012, 12:24:36 PM
I just hope they chamber it for a straight walled 44 cartridge.

It will be a .44-40 according to customer services I have contacted.

Capt. Montgomery Little · March 01, 2012, 09:45:53 PM

Halleluah! 44-40 or fight!

Slowhand Bob · April 24, 2012, 12:19:01 PM

A Henry in 44-40, must be one of them '73 Henrys I been hearing about! They should bring the introductory run out in 44Russian.

Dusty Morningwood · April 25, 2012, 01:27:10 PM

Quote from: Slowhand Bob on April 24, 2012, 12:19:01 PM
A Henry in 44-40, must be one of them '73 Henrys I been hearing about! They should bring the introductory run out in 44Russian.

Agreed. But that is a niche market.

Slowhand Bob · April 25, 2012, 08:57:06 PM

Actually it is even to nichey fer me also, my preference is try for one in .45 one day. I already have to much invested in the Cowboy Special round to add anything else and that is close enuff anyway!

kurt250 · April 26, 2012, 08:15:56 PM

they should make the 1860 henry in 44 russian. its as close to the 44 henry rim fire as we could ever hope. theres plenty of people like me that shoot that cartridge . kurt250

Junkman · April 28, 2012, 04:38:44 PM

Quote from: kurt250 on April 26, 2012, 08:15:56 PM
they should make the 1860 henry in 44 russian. its as close to the 44 henry rim fire as we could ever hope. theres plenty of people like me that shoot that cartridge . kurt250

You may think there are plenty of people that shoot it, but you are definitely in the minority. No manufacturer is going to mass produce a gun in a caliber for such a small market.