mrcvs said

It’s best you just click on the first link and not scroll down.  

I scrolled too far despite your warning.

(If anybody needs more proof, consider the arrogant decision of the pathologist who burned his bloodstained original autopsy notes following President Kennedy's autopsy. Why destroy such an important piece of evidence? He didn't want it to become a gruesome attraction for the morbid. Never mind that its absence has been the focus of innumerable conspiracy theories, causing whole forests to disappear into paper sufficient to print endless blather.)

Zebulon said
I agree Stanton is a controversial figure in history and don't recall writing he was a hero. But he unquestionably was the driving force and man of the early post-assassination hours - whatever his motivations - without whom Booth would have escaped. 
The foregoing makes the Stanton Henry an important artifact in the same way Booth's Derringer and Spencer carbine are artifacts (assuming either still exists.)
  

Both still exist:

https://fords.org/lincolns-assassination/booths-deringer/

https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=57144.0

I recall seeing the derringer at Ford’s Theater circa 1987.

It’s best you just click on the first link and not scroll down.  There’s debate with mostly dumb responses as to if Ford’s Theater should actually display the weapon.

I guess I’m just not PC, insensitive, out of touch with the increasing number of Democratic socialists out there, insensitive, or just a plain jerk.

Then again, there’s a photograph of Mark Twain holding a Colt Model 1903 pistol and he discusses at length a Smith & Wesson No 1 pistol in his writings and discussed (eventually) donating them to enhance existing exhibits at the museum in Hartford and was told to pack sand.

Is it too soon to ask what it will take to top this one? 

Mike

The foregoing makes the Stanton Henry an important artifact in the same way Booth's Derringer and Spencer carbine are artifacts (assuming either still exists.)

Buck94 said

Zebulon said
As for provenance of the Henry in question, remember that Lewis Powell a/k/a Paine attacked the Secretary of State but failed to kill him. The  Vice President was not trusted because of his putative Southern sympathies. The government was pretty much headless while everybody gathered around Lincoln as he lay dying - and it was Stanton who stepped up and organized the pursuit of Booth and the investigation of who was involved. 
Stanton took charge quickly and, if not for him, Booth would have probably gotten beyond the reach of American law. 
I contend that whose rifle this was is a large component of its price. Stanton was not a peripheral player in the assassination aftermath.
  

Keep in mind there are those who believe Stanton himself was actually behind Lincoln’s assassination! Either way, I agree it was a large component of its final price!
  

I’m not sure where the historians have landed now on Stanton’s possible involvement as stated above but, the American public was also given a hero’s perception regarding Custer and Little Big Horn until a century later when details from the other side changed some minds and still spark ongoing debate. 

Zebulon said
As for provenance of the Henry in question, remember that Lewis Powell a/k/a Paine attacked the Secretary of State but failed to kill him. The  Vice President was not trusted because of his putative Southern sympathies. The government was pretty much headless while everybody gathered around Lincoln as he lay dying - and it was Stanton who stepped up and organized the pursuit of Booth and the investigation of who was involved. 
Stanton took charge quickly and, if not for him, Booth would have probably gotten beyond the reach of American law. 
I contend that whose rifle this was is a large component of its price. Stanton was not a peripheral player in the assassination aftermath.
  

Keep in mind there are those who believe Stanton himself was actually behind Lincoln’s assassination! Either way, I agree it was a large component of its final price!

Chuck - I found a copy of the February 1929 American Rifleman on eBay and the table of contents has no listing of the article you recommended.  Are you quoting the Firearms News article or do you have a copy of this?

Thanks to all who replied!

John

Stanton took charge quickly and, if not for him, Booth would have probably gotten beyond the reach of American law. 

I contend that whose rifle this was is a large component of its price. Stanton was not a peripheral player in the assassination aftermath.

TXGunNut said

Jeremy P said
I left early and didn't have a chance to try and pry for info or I would've gone and tried to speak to the buyer. Lost opportunity!
  

But you saw gun collecting history made. Was I right about the black cap?
 
Mike
  

No black cap!

Jeremy P said
I left early and didn't have a chance to try and pry for info or I would've gone and tried to speak to the buyer. Lost opportunity!
  

But you saw gun collecting history made. Was I right about the black cap?

Mike