ENDED Henry breech bolt

[limberbox]

Does anyone have a lead on finding either an original (preferred) or reproduction breech bolt for an M. 1860 Henry?

I have a good friend who owns an otherwise good condition Henry (gift from his 95-year-old father) that has a broken breech bolt that prevents the action from being worked. He'd like to replace the bolt so that the action will operate.

 

[CowCavalry]

The rifle in question is an original Henry?

 

[limberbox]

Yes

 

[limberbox]

He's not planning to shoot it but would like to be able to operate the action. I believe it is unaltered from the original.

 

[CowCavalry]

Wow, thats quite a gift, would love to see a photo. Thats going to be a real scarce item, at least an original. Might want to post this in the Sutler's forum.

 

[CowCavalry]

I would also think it might need custom fitting by a qualified gunsmith.

 

[limberbox]

Good idea about the sutler's forum. I wasn't aware of that.

 

[limberbox]

He had it in at an excellent armory. They are the ones who diagnosed the problem. In their many years of collecting they'd never seen a Henry with a broken bolt. Surprised the heck out of them. They thought they were dealing with a bent lever but instead it was the broken bolt that was creating the problem. They were able to get it back fully closed but it was a job, and said that as soon as someone tried to run the action it would likely jam again.

 

[Seduzal]

Sorry but I can't help you but just wait for a little while and someone will be along to answer your questions. Paging @johan_steele @ucvrelics @Package4

 

[johan_steele]

For a Henry... ufda marta! I don't believe any repro will fit without work from a professional. An original I would check Lodgewood, S&S and Gunderson Militaria. An 1866 part might work but regardless it will not be cheap. It might almost be better to have one made up by a professional machinist.

 

[Booner]

Does anyone have a lead on finding either an original (preferred) or reproduction breech bolt for an M. 1860 Henry?

I have a good friend who owns an otherwise good condition Henry (gift from his 95-year-old father) that has a broken breech bolt that prevents the action from being worked. He'd like to replace the bolt so that the action will operate.

You've come to the right place for leads.
If the moon and stars all line up, your friend might be able to find an original bolt, but what are the odds of that happening?
I would guess that your friend will have to find a gunsmith/machinist who can either repair the broken bolt, or fabricate a new one. The odds of finding old school gunsmith who can do this are better than the odds of the planets aligning up.

Try this forum-->>> https://winchestercollector.org
They have a forum where people can post questions regarding restoration, repairs, etc. If your friend posted his needs, perhaps someone there would be able to direct him to someone who could make or repair his bolt.
>>>> https://winchestercollector.org/forum/restoration-repair-and-maintenance

Call this guy--->Winchester Bob, (207-532-9206), he specializes in repairing old Winchesters, although I didn't see anything to do with Henry's on his website, (the oldest Winchester he lists is the 1864, but perhaps that bolt fits the 1860 Henry?), but he may be able to give you a lead or advise. Or, he may be able to fix your friends Henry. There can't be that much differences between the Henry and Winchesters.
website-->http://winchesterbob.com

To learn more about his Henry, look at this website-->https://www.rarewinchesters.com
Your friend could also give them a call to see if they can offer any help or advise. They do have a pretty good amount of info on the original Henry's.

I wish him all the luck he needs to get the gun back in working order.

He can repay us for our advise by posting some pictures of his gem on this site, and letting us know when he gets it fixed.

edit-- I see where Uberti makes a reproduction 1860 Henry, and replacement parts for them are available at Numrich Arms. Their website -->>https://www.gunpartscorp.com
I would think that the Uberti parts probably would not fit in an original, but you never know. Perhaps with a little bit of modification they would.

 

[JOHN42768]

I agree you are reaching for the stars with this request, but you never know. Also might want to talk with Dave at http://www.lodgewood.com/

Sorry you can't have parts from mine

 

[CivilWarTalk]

Repro Henry's all use center fire cartridges, original was a rim fire, so it's doubtful a repro bolt can be modified. Would really surprise me if it did.

Head spacing, stroke length, firing pin strike point are all different on repro.

Seems like you need an expert, and one suggested above are same ones I would use.

Other option is find a cheap/damaged original Henry with a good bolt and get it swapped out. Assuming it's "interchangeable" without modification.

 

[CowCavalry]

Other option is find a cheap/damaged original Henry with a good bolt and get it swapped out. Assuming it's "interchangeable" without modification.

Where do you find cheap original Henry rifles??

 

[CivilWarTalk]

Where do you find cheap original Henry rifles??

Everyone wants to know the answer to that!

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Try finding one off a M1866 Winchester. They're pretty much the exact same, though you might have to do a little fitting.

 

[limberbox]

For a Henry... ufda marta! I don't believe any repro will fit without work from a professional. An original I would check Lodgewood, S&S and Gunderson Militaria. An 1866 part might work but regardless it will not be cheap. It might almost be better to have one made up by a professional machinist.

Good leads. Thanks, Johan

 

[limberbox]

You've come to the right place for leads.
If the moon and stars all line up, your friend might be able to find an original bolt, but what are the odds of that happening?
I would guess that your friend will have to find a gunsmith/machinist who can either repair the broken bolt, or fabricate a new one. The odds of finding old school gunsmith who can do this are better than the odds of the planets aligning up.

Try this forum-->>> https://winchestercollector.org
They have a forum where people can post questions regarding restoration, repairs, etc. If your friend posted his needs, perhaps someone there would be able to direct him to someone who could make or repair his bolt.
>>>> https://winchestercollector.org/forum/restoration-repair-and-maintenance

Call this guy--->Winchester Bob, (207-532-9206), he specializes in repairing old Winchesters, although I didn't see anything to do with Henry's on his website, (the oldest Winchester he lists is the 1864, but perhaps that bolt fits the 1860 Henry?), but he may be able to give you a lead or advise. Or, he may be able to fix your friends Henry. There can't be that much differences between the Henry and Winchesters.
website-->http://winchesterbob.com

To learn more about his Henry, look at this website-->https://www.rarewinchesters.com
Your friend could also give them a call to see if they can offer any help or advise. They do have a pretty good amount of info on the original Henry's.

I wish him all the luck he needs to get the gun back in working order.

He can repay us for our advise by posting some pictures of his gem on this site, and letting us know when he gets it fixed.

edit-- I see where Uberti makes a reproduction 1860 Henry, and replacement parts for them are available at Numrich Arms. Their website -->>https://www.gunpartscorp.com
I would think that the Uberti parts probably would not fit in an original, but you never know. Perhaps with a little bit of modification they would.

Thanks very much, Booner and I will get a picture.

 

[limberbox]

Repro Henry's all use center fire cartridges, original was a rim fire, so it's doubtful a repro bolt can be modified. Would really surprise me if it did.

Head spacing, stroke length, firing pin strike point are all different on repro.

Seems like you need an expert, and one suggested above are same ones I would use.

Other option is find a cheap/damaged original Henry with a good bolt and get it swapped out. Assuming it's "interchangeable" without modification.

Thanks much, Mark

 

[limberbox]

Try finding one off a M1866 Winchester. They're pretty much the exact same, though you might have to do a little fitting.

Thanks much