Hello All,
As a follow-up to my Alex Henry posting that I started last Fall, I just acquired from the family, the original hand written "List of Implements" for the rifle along with the original "Instruction Sheets" that were included with the rifle when it originally purchased from Alex Henry back in 1885. The rifle remained with the original family all these years. I am the second owner. These Instructions from 1885 tell how to care for, and how to load for this rifle. The Serial Number for the rifle is scribed in ink with a quill pen on a small 3" x 5-1/4" envelope, and also on the first page of the Instruction Sheets. The 4" x 6-1/2" Implements page is totally hand scribed in ink.
The Instructions consisted of 2 separate pages, 4-1/2" x 6-7/8" in size. These 2 sheets, along with the implements page, were folded and placed into the small envelope, which today is quite tattered. The fragile Instruction Sheet pages have broken into 6 pieces, but I was able to place them together so they could be photographed. As far as I know, these are the only Original Instruction Sheets known for any Alex Henry rifle. Although these are in poor condition, the fact that they have survived at all over these last 128 years in somewhat of a miracle. Let alone still with the rifle.
You will notice that the Instructions cover both Alex Henry Single Shot and Double rifles, and a special ball loading for the .360 gauge. Needless to say the details of how to cast and load are extremely interesting.