Massachusetts Rifle Association (MRA) Sesquicentennial Rifle
150 Years of American Marksmanship
— Own a Piece of History —
Celebrating 150 Years of American Marksmanship (1875–2025)
– Own a Piece of History –
Celebrate 150 years of American marksmanship with a limited-edition Henry Golden Boy, a rifle that reflects the craftsmanship, tradition, and attention to detail that define both Henry Repeating Arms and the Massachusetts Rifle Association. Founded in 1875, the MRA has played a pivotal role in advancing firearms education and competitive shooting in the United States. This Sesquicentennial edition brings those traditions together in a commemorative rifle worthy of this once-in-a-lifetime milestone.
Why this rifle mattersFounded in 1875 by Civil War veterans, and shooting enthusiasts, the Massachusetts Rifle Association (MRA) is the oldest continuously operating gun club in the United States and a cornerstone in the development of modern marksmanship and ballistics research. Members of MRA’s Walnut Hill range helped shape how America shoots; from Dr. Franklin Mann’s pioneering experiments on bullet flight, accuracy, and ammunition consistency to Arthur Corbin Gould’s The Rifle, which later evolved into The American Rifleman.
MRA archival records document how longtime member A. O. Niedner conducted extensive rimfire accuracy and cartridge experiments at Walnut Hill during the late 19th century. In 1892, firearms writer Arthur Corbin Gould described the origin of the .22 Long Rifle cartridge, noting that it was introduced by J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company, in collaboration with the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, and that the cartridge was “brought to UMC by A. O. Niedner.” Gould further detailed the technical changes, most notably the adoption of a heavier 40-grain bullet and a faster rifling twist, that dramatically improved accuracy and performance.
Together, these accounts place Walnut Hill and the Massachusetts Rifle Association at the center of a formative period in American rimfire development. That legacy is echoed here in a .22-caliber rifle stocked in genuine American walnut, uniting historic place, technical innovation, and tradition in a modern commemorative form.
Founded in 1875 by Civil War veterans, and shooting enthusiasts, the Massachusetts Rifle Association (MRA) is the oldest continuously operating gun club in the United States and a cornerstone in the development of modern marksmanship and ballistics research. Members of MRA’s Walnut Hill range helped shape how America shoots; from Dr. Franklin Mann’s pioneering experiments on bullet flight, accuracy, and ammunition consistency to Arthur Corbin Gould’s The Rifle, which later evolved into The American Rifleman.
MRA archival records document how longtime member A. O. Niedner conducted extensive rimfire accuracy and cartridge experiments at Walnut Hill during the late 19th century. In 1892, firearms writer Arthur Corbin Gould described the origin of the .22 Long Rifle cartridge, noting that it was introduced by J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company, in collaboration with the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, and that the cartridge was “brought to UMC by A. O. Niedner.” Gould further detailed the technical changes, most notably the adoption of a heavier 40-grain bullet and a faster rifling twist, that dramatically improved accuracy and performance.
Together, these accounts place Walnut Hill and the Massachusetts Rifle Association at the center of a formative period in American rimfire development. That legacy is echoed here in a .22-caliber rifle stocked in genuine American walnut, uniting historic place, technical innovation, and tradition in a modern commemorative form.
Commemorative Touches
Specifications- Model: Golden Boy MRA Sesquicentennial Edition
- Caliber: .22 S/L/LR
- Capacity: 16 LR/ 21 S
- Barrel: 20″ Blued Octagon
- Stock: Genuine American walnut
- Model: Golden Boy MRA Sesquicentennial Edition
- Caliber: .22 S/L/LR
- Capacity: 16 LR/ 21 S
- Barrel: 20″ Blued Octagon
- Stock: Genuine American walnut
How to orderClick Add to Cart and complete the checkout form.
During checkout, select an FFL dealer you want the rifle shipped to. Before completing checkout, contact your dealer to confirm that they will accept your transfer because not all dealers do.
Your dealer will contact you for inspection, transfer, and any state-level compliance requirements.
Click Add to Cart and complete the checkout form.
During checkout, select an FFL dealer you want the rifle shipped to. Before completing checkout, contact your dealer to confirm that they will accept your transfer because not all dealers do.
Your dealer will contact you for inspection, transfer, and any state-level compliance requirements.
Note: This is a pre-order item. All rifles are built to order. Estimated production lead time is approximately 90 days.
FAQsQ: How can I learn more about the Massachusetts Rifle Association and its history?
A: To learn more about the history and legacy of the Massachusetts Rifle Association, including its founding in 1875 and the significance of Walnut Hill, please visit the MRA’s official history page:
For those interested in original source material, the MRA also maintains an online digital archive of historical club documents, publications, and records dating back to the 1870s
Q: Does the Massachusetts Rifle Association have a social media presence?
A: Yes. The Massachusetts Rifle Association maintains an official Facebook page where it shares historical material, news, and Association updates:
Q: How can I contact or visit the Massachusetts Rifle Association?
A: For general inquiries or to contact the Massachusetts Rifle Association, please visit the MRA’s official contact page.
The MRA office is open Wednesdays from 6:00–8:00 p.m. (ET) and Sundays from 9:00–11:30 a.m. (ET). Visitors who are in the area are welcome to stop by during office hours. When available, staff are happy to provide a brief tour of the historic Walnut Hill property.
Please be sure to check the MRA’s calendar for upcoming events and any potential office closures before visiting:
Q: Can this rifle be shipped to my home?
A: No. Federal law requires all firearm purchases to be shipped to a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL). You must provide your dealer’s FFL information at checkout.
Q: Returns and warranty
A: All returns and warranty claims are handled per Henry Repeating Arms policy. The rifle includes Henrys lifetime warranty and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Q: When will my rifle ship?
A: This rifle is built to order. Please allow approximately 90 days for production before it ships to your selected federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL).
Q: How can I learn more about the Massachusetts Rifle Association and its history?
A: To learn more about the history and legacy of the Massachusetts Rifle Association, including its founding in 1875 and the significance of Walnut Hill, please visit the MRA’s official history page:
For those interested in original source material, the MRA also maintains an online digital archive of historical club documents, publications, and records dating back to the 1870s
Q: Does the Massachusetts Rifle Association have a social media presence?
A: Yes. The Massachusetts Rifle Association maintains an official Facebook page where it shares historical material, news, and Association updates:
Q: How can I contact or visit the Massachusetts Rifle Association?
A: For general inquiries or to contact the Massachusetts Rifle Association, please visit the MRA’s official contact page.
The MRA office is open Wednesdays from 6:00–8:00 p.m. (ET) and Sundays from 9:00–11:30 a.m. (ET). Visitors who are in the area are welcome to stop by during office hours. When available, staff are happy to provide a brief tour of the historic Walnut Hill property.
Please be sure to check the MRA’s calendar for upcoming events and any potential office closures before visiting:
Q: Can this rifle be shipped to my home?
A: No. Federal law requires all firearm purchases to be shipped to a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL). You must provide your dealer’s FFL information at checkout.
Q: Returns and warranty
A: All returns and warranty claims are handled per Henry Repeating Arms policy. The rifle includes Henrys lifetime warranty and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Q: When will my rifle ship?
A: This rifle is built to order. Please allow approximately 90 days for production before it ships to your selected federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL).
