Number 1 question

44 Deerslayer · 08-23-2009, 04:56 PM

I've got a number 1 in 7MM Rem Mag that I bought new more than 20 years ago. It has the Henry Forend. I've always wondered what the purpose of the groove was. It looks like you could rest the rifle on a piece of rope or something. Other than that, I have no idea of the original purpose of the groove on a Henry Forend. Anybody know?

Hairtrigger · 08-23-2009, 05:29 PM

To keep shooting sticks from sliding fore and aft?

Metlhed57 · 08-26-2009, 11:23 AM

SCHNABEL is what it's called. From J D Claytons book on the No 1: "In 1967 Bill Ruger's baby was born and offered to the public as the Ruger No 1 singleshot rifle. The rifle was one of tasteful beauty, taking the basic lines from the Farquharson and the Alexander Henry and refining and engineering them into a rifle capable of shooting the most modern cartridges." The Alexander Henrys all had that type of forearm I believe.

44 Deerslayer · 08-26-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metlhed57

SCHNABEL is what it's called. From J D Claytons book on the No 1: "In 1967 Bill Ruger's baby was born and offered to the public as the Ruger No 1 singleshot rifle. The rifle was one of tasteful beauty, taking the basic lines from the Farquharson and the Alexander Henry and refining and engineering them into a rifle capable of shooting the most modern cartridges." The Alexander Henrys all had that type of forearm I believe.

So, are you saying it's just for looks and the groove served no purpose on the original Henrys? My Winchester Mod 1895 has a "Schnabel" but it doesn't look like the groove on the Ruger.

Metlhed57 · 08-30-2009, 03:57 AM

Yes, I believe it's just for looks and tasteful it is I may add.

rj308 · 12-02-2009, 10:14 AM

What ever the purpose or non-purpose is, it looks pretty cool!

nyefmaker · 01-06-2010, 08:43 AM

I always read that it was the design of Alexander Henry, a trademark so to speak. I always thought it was cool looking even though it has no intended purpose. My 375H&H #1 has it.

buckconner · 01-13-2010, 01:45 PM

The Schnabel fore end is typical of German and Austrian rifles of the late 1800's into the American Sharps rifle period. I have dealt in antique firearms for 50 plus years, this style was added to give a pleasing detail rather than the regular rounded fore end. Have had a few late 1800 target muzzle loaders with similar style ends like what Ruger put on the No. 1 a hundred years later.

model1 · 03-09-2010, 08:15 AM

I'm new here, first post.

I thought I read someplace that the design was to provide a notch for tying old-school leather slings back in Henry's days. The idea that the notch is for shooting sticks makes a lot of sense too. Designs of old usually had a function, not just asthetics.

01-06-2010, 08:43 AM	#7
nyefmaker Joined: Jan 2010 From: Pennsylvania Posts: 87	I always read that it was the design of Alexander Henry, a trademark so to speak. I always thought it was cool looking even though it has no intended purpose. My 375H&H #1 has it. Last edited by nyefmaker; 01-06-2010 at 08:47 AM.

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08-23-2009, 04:56 PM	#1
44 Deerslayer Joined: Oct 2008 From: MN usually, AZ winter Posts: 29	Number 1 question I've got a number 1 in 7MM Rem Mag that I bought new more than 20 years ago. It has the Henry Forend. I've always wondered what the purpose of the groove was. It looks like you could rest the rifle on a piece of rope or something. Other than that, I have no idea of the original purpose of the groove on a Henry Forend. Anybody know?

08-23-2009, 05:29 PM	#2
Hairtrigger Joined: Oct 2007 From: , Ohio, . Posts: 471	To keep shooting sticks from sliding fore and aft?

08-26-2009, 11:23 AM	#3
Metlhed57 Joined: Mar 2008 From: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 72	SCHNABEL is what it's called. From J D Claytons book on the No 1: "In 1967 Bill Ruger's baby was born and offered to the public as the Ruger No 1 singleshot rifle. The rifle was one of tasteful beauty, taking the basic lines from the Farquharson and the Alexander Henry and refining and engineering them into a rifle capable of shooting the most modern cartridges." The Alexander Henrys all had that type of forearm I believe.

08-30-2009, 03:57 AM	#5
Metlhed57 Joined: Mar 2008 From: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 72	Yes, I believe it's just for looks and tasteful it is I may add.

12-02-2009, 10:14 AM	#6
rj308 Joined: Nov 2009 From: Florida Posts: 64	What ever the purpose or non-purpose is, it looks pretty cool!

01-13-2010, 01:45 PM	#8
buckconner Joined: Jan 2010 From: Utah Posts: 18	The Schnabel fore end is typical of German and Austrian rifles of the late 1800's into the American Sharps rifle period. I have dealt in antique firearms for 50 plus years, this style was added to give a pleasing detail rather than the regular rounded fore end. Have had a few late 1800 target muzzle loaders with similar style ends like what Ruger put on the No. 1 a hundred years later.

03-09-2010, 08:15 AM	#9
model1 Joined: Mar 2010 From: Upstate NY Posts: 8	I'm new here, first post. I thought I read someplace that the design was to provide a notch for tying old-school leather slings back in Henry's days. The idea that the notch is for shooting sticks makes a lot of sense too. Designs of old usually had a function, not just asthetics.