Few firearms embody American heritage and hunting quite like the scoped lever-action rifle offered in the September Collection of Collector’s Elite Auctions. In this Malcolm-scoped Henry Side Gate Lever Action chambered for the .45-70 Government, we see a deliberate return to that storied combination of a rifle and scope. It doesn’t just pay homage to the past, but reinterprets it with craftsmanship and purpose.
The Henry rifle’s polished brass receiver exudes warmth and refinement. Paired with a blued, 20-inch barrel and rich American walnut furniture, this .45-70 rifle is more than a tool. It’s a tribute to the American past and the rugged frontier. Every detail speaks to a balance between tradition and practicality: graceful, purposeful, true to form and function.
Adopted by the U.S. military in 1873, the .45-70 Government cartridge offers a powerful, versatile round that still resonates today. With this Henry rifle, the venerable cartridge finds new life not as a relic but as a partnership between enduring tradition and rugged performance.
To complete the ensemble, a “period-correct” telescopic sight is poised above the rifle. The William Malcolm 6x Two-Tone Short Rifle Telescope is a thoughtful reproduction of a mid-19th-century design. It brings 21st century optics into historical context, melding function with tradition.
Crafted with a brass eyepiece and objective housing resting on a steel tube in muted black, the scope mirrors the interplay of materials on the Henry’s receiver and barrel. Inspired by early Winchester A5 scopes, the Malcolm scope employs a rear micrometer adjustment. This mount delivers tactile 1/4-MOA precision when spaced 7.25-inches apart—right in line with period ergonomics.
At 6x magnification, the scope extends reach without overwhelming the rifle’s aesthetic. This creates a cohesive look that blends in with the original guns from the era. However, it is engineered for today’s discerning and demanding shooter.
Pairing the Henry Side Gate Lever Action .45-70 with the Malcolm 6x Two-Tone telescope creates more than a functional rifle; it forges a living piece of history. The polished brass receiver, finely blued barrel and walnut stock present a carefully curated aesthetic. It just whispers of frontier reliability and artisanal pride.
Add the sturdy elegance of the Malcolm scope, and the result becomes something entirely new. This rifle works powerfully and smoothly while seeming as though it stepped from a 19th-century workshop. It’s an instrument that resonates with collectors, shooters and historians.
If this sounds like something you need in your life then don’t miss your chance to add some historic elegance to your gun rack with this lot in the September Collection.
