Question about Henry rifles

rmocarsky · October 31, 2012, 09:11 PM

Gunners,

Is there any special care that must be given to protect and maintain the brass components on Henry lever action rifles?

I remember that many years ago I had a brass lamp that required regular polishing. Is this true with the Henrys?

Rmocarsky

twhidd · October 31, 2012, 09:26 PM

It's my understanding that the cover plate on the receiver is not really brass, but rather brass coated aluminum or some other metal. I think Henry calls it "brasslite".

warbirdlover · October 31, 2012, 09:37 PM

If the receiver material is aluminum it would be anodized and that won't require maintenance.

the rifleer · October 31, 2012, 10:27 PM

But it has a brass coating on it, which would become dull after time.

shamaz · October 31, 2012, 11:06 PM

1. The Henry Golden Boy has a receiver cover and barrel band made of Zamak 5 plus a brass buttplate. Here's info on Zamak which is an alloy of zinc, aluminum, copper and magnesium:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamak

Andy Wickstrom of Henry subcontractor Henry Wisconsin which produces the receiver covers and bands had this to say about their Zamak alloy:

"First, the metallurgical standard for this metal is Zamak 5. Inside of the Zamak 5 spec we maintain even tighter control of certain elements to further improve physical properties. Second, the metal is cast using the ultimate in high pressure die casting equipment. The power and speed of this process is impressive. The process used to control the quality of the product consists of countless variables that are finely tuned to produce the very best physical and cosmetic properties."

On the Golden Boys the Zamak receiver covers are coated with "Brasslite" which is a brass-tinted clear coat paint.

2. On the other hand, the Henry Big Boy has a hardened brass receiver, barrel band and buttplate.

PetahW · November 1, 2012, 06:00 AM

So, to answer the OP's question - No.

The RF Henry Golden Boys have a protective coating over the color coat, and IMHO there's not many guns more attractive than a properly weather/aged (brownish) henry (real) brass receiver, ala the gennie 1860's that survive today.

Of course, if you like bling, YMMV................

EdInk · November 1, 2012, 10:12 AM

My Henry Big Boy receiver is real brass. The only downside to it is that it scratches easily.

Bigboy44 · November 1, 2012, 01:08 PM

The question hasn't really been answered (unless I missed it). i was wondering the same thing. Can it be cleaned like anything else in the house that's brass? There's a cleaner called" "brasso". I thought about that. But then again, I think the the patina on old brass is cool too. Big decision!

twhidd · November 1, 2012, 01:31 PM

Shoot an email to Henry. I've received replies from Anthony Imperato personally when I've emailed them with questions. Although, they may be slow to reply since the hurricane blew through that area.

Hawg · November 1, 2012, 07:08 PM

You wont need to polish the receiver cover on a Golden Boy, it wont dull. I wish mine would dull, I prefer a mellow look not the gaudy look of shiny brass.

coyota1 · November 1, 2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

My Henry Big Boy receiver is real brass. The only downside to it is that it scratches easily.

So if you don't polish your receiver, does it go dull??

SCDeac82 · November 1, 2012, 07:51 PM

If it has a coating...(lacquer)...don't use abrasive polishes. I used to sell fine brass tables from LaBarge when I was in the furniture business. Just wipe with a clean cotton cloth. Don't "kill it with care."

coyota1 · November 1, 2012, 08:01 PM

It seems impractical to have a lacquer finish on a brass receiver. If it chips off those areas would probably start to tarnish.

Bigboy44 · November 1, 2012, 10:31 PM

The big boys are solid brass, the golden boys are coated.

jmortimer · November 2, 2012, 09:10 AM

It is a brass alloy. Quite strong.

October 31, 2012, 09:11 PM	#1
rmocarsky Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Posts: 406	Question about Henry rifles Gunners, Is there any special care that must be given to protect and maintain the brass components on Henry lever action rifles? I remember that many years ago I had a brass lamp that required regular polishing. Is this true with the Henrys? Rmocarsky

October 31, 2012, 10:27 PM	#4
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,281	But it has a brass coating on it, which would become dull after time. __________________ There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people.

October 31, 2012, 11:06 PM	#5
shamaz Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Central Sierra Foothills Posts: 28	1. The Henry Golden Boy has a receiver cover and barrel band made of Zamak 5 plus a brass buttplate. Here's info on Zamak which is an alloy of zinc, aluminum, copper and magnesium: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamak Andy Wickstrom of Henry subcontractor Henry Wisconsin which produces the receiver covers and bands had this to say about their Zamak alloy: "First, the metallurgical standard for this metal is Zamak 5. Inside of the Zamak 5 spec we maintain even tighter control of certain elements to further improve physical properties. Second, the metal is cast using the ultimate in high pressure die casting equipment. The power and speed of this process is impressive. The process used to control the quality of the product consists of countless variables that are finely tuned to produce the very best physical and cosmetic properties." On the Golden Boys the Zamak receiver covers are coated with "Brasslite" which is a brass-tinted clear coat paint. 2. On the other hand, the Henry Big Boy has a hardened brass receiver, barrel band and buttplate. Last edited by shamaz; November 1, 2012 at 01:38 AM.

November 1, 2012, 10:12 AM	#7
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,968	My Henry Big Boy receiver is real brass. The only downside to it is that it scratches easily. __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis

November 1, 2012, 01:08 PM	#8
Bigboy44 Junior Member Join Date: October 18, 2012 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 13	The question hasn't really been answered (unless I missed it). i was wondering the same thing. Can it be cleaned like anything else in the house that's brass? There's a cleaner called" "brasso". I thought about that. But then again, I think the the patina on old brass is cool too. Big decision! __________________ Genesis 1:28

October 31, 2012, 09:26 PM	#2
twhidd Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2005 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 823	It's my understanding that the cover plate on the receiver is not really brass, but rather brass coated aluminum or some other metal. I think Henry calls it "brasslite".

October 31, 2012, 09:37 PM	#3
warbirdlover Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2009 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 2,324	If the receiver material is aluminum it would be anodized and that won't require maintenance.

November 1, 2012, 06:00 AM	#6
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	So, to answer the OP's question - No. The RF Henry Golden Boys have a protective coating over the color coat, and IMHO there's not many guns more attractive than a properly weather/aged (brownish) henry (real) brass receiver, ala the gennie 1860's that survive today. Of course, if you like bling, YMMV................

November 1, 2012, 01:31 PM	#9
twhidd Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2005 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 823	Shoot an email to Henry. I've received replies from Anthony Imperato personally when I've emailed them with questions. Although, they may be slow to reply since the hurricane blew through that area. __________________ Todd NRA Life Member

November 1, 2012, 07:08 PM	#10
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	You wont need to polish the receiver cover on a Golden Boy, it wont dull. I wish mine would dull, I prefer a mellow look not the gaudy look of shiny brass.

November 1, 2012, 07:51 PM	#12
SCDeac82 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2010 Location: Southeast-USA Posts: 222	If it has a coating...(lacquer)...don't use abrasive polishes. I used to sell fine brass tables from LaBarge when I was in the furniture business. Just wipe with a clean cotton cloth. Don't "kill it with care." __________________ "No free man shall ever be de-barred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain their right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government." -- Thomas Jefferson

November 1, 2012, 08:01 PM	#13
coyota1 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 663	It seems impractical to have a lacquer finish on a brass receiver. If it chips off those areas would probably start to tarnish.

November 1, 2012, 10:31 PM	#14
Bigboy44 Junior Member Join Date: October 18, 2012 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 13	The big boys are solid brass, the golden boys are coated. __________________ Genesis 1:28

November 2, 2012, 09:10 AM	#15
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	It is a brass alloy. Quite strong.