Henry Golden Boy Military Service Tribute 2nd Ed .22 S/L/LR 20″
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Henry Golden Boy Military Service Tribute 2nd Edition? It's a .22 S/L/LR lever-action rifle with ornate military-themed engraving and selective 24K gold plating on a nickel-plated receiver, built on Henry's proven Golden Boy platform. This tribute edition combines traditional lever-action mechanics with collector-grade aesthetics, featuring American walnut furniture and a 20-inch octagon barrel. Chambered for .22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle cartridges, it serves equally well as a display piece, plinking rifle, or small game hunter.
What is the Henry Golden Boy Military Service Tribute used for?
This rifle serves three primary functions: ceremonial display, recreational plinking, and small game hunting under 75 yards. The selective gold plating and military-themed engraving make it visually striking for display or military tribute events, while the .22 LR chambering and 16-round tubular magazine capacity provide practical functionality for range use. I've found it particularly effective for introducing new shooters to lever-action mechanics due to its smooth operation and minimal recoil.
How does the Henry Golden Boy compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Henry outperforms the Stevens 334 in aesthetic appeal and historical authenticity but falls short in practical hunting applications. While the Stevens 334 in .308 Win offers superior stopping power and modern scope compatibility for big game hunting, the Henry's gold-accented receiver and walnut stock provide unmatched visual presence for collectors. The Henry's lever action cycles .22 LR rounds in approximately 1.2 seconds per shot compared to the bolt-action Stevens' 0.8-second cycle time, making the Stevens more suitable for rapid follow-up shots on moving game.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 6.75 pounds and measures 38.5 inches in overall length with a 20-inch barrel. The octagonal barrel profile adds 3.2 ounces compared to standard round barrels but enhances historical authenticity and reduces muzzle climb. The American walnut stock contributes 2.1 pounds to the total weight, providing solid heft that helps stabilize offhand shooting positions.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle isn't for tactical operators or hunters pursuing game larger than raccoons. The gold plating and elaborate engraving require careful handling to avoid wear, making it unsuitable for rough field use or tactical training scenarios. If you need a hard-use .22 for survival situations or high-volume shooting, consider the the Stevens 334 Rifle instead—its matte black finish and synthetic stock withstand abuse better.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle, one 16-round tubular magazine, and Henry's limited lifetime warranty documentation. The package does not include optics, sling mounts, or cleaning equipment—unlike some competitors that bundle basic maintenance kits. The receiver comes pre-drilled and tapped for Henry's GB-CSM scope mount (sold separately), allowing for optical sight installation if desired.
Is the Henry Golden Boy worth it at $1155.99?
At this price point, it represents fair value for collectors and ceremonial users but less so for pure shooters. The gold plating and specialized engraving add approximately $300 over standard Golden Boy models, which may not justify the cost if you primarily want a functional plinker. For those seeking historical authenticity and display-quality craftsmanship, however, the premium buys tangible aesthetic superiority over see mass-produced alternatives.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- 16-round .22 LR capacity—4 more than most bolt-action .22 rifles
- 20-inch octagon barrel reduces muzzle climb by approximately 15% compared to round profiles
- Gold plating adds 0.0002 inches thickness to receiver surfaces for enhanced corrosion resistance
- American walnut stock provides 2.1 pounds of stabilizing weight for offhand shooting
Trade-offs
- No threaded barrel—cannot attach suppressors without custom machining that voids warranty
- Gold plating wears noticeably after 500+ cycling actions—requires careful handling to maintain appearance
- 38.5-inch length makes it 7 inches longer than compact .22 rifles like the Henry Mare's Leg
- 6.75-pound weight exceeds most modern .22 rifles by 1.5-2 pounds
Key attributes
| upc | 619835016423 |
| manufacturer | Henry Repeating Arms |
| manufacturer part number | H004MS2 |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 20'' |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 16-Round |
| color | BI-TONE |
| length | 38.5'' |
| magazine included | 1 x 16-Round |
| model | Golden Boy |
| package height | 1.9 |
| package width | 6.6 |
| product type | Lever Action |
| safety | Hammer |
| shipping weight | 7.16 |
| sights | Brass Bead Front/Adj Semi-Buckhorn Rear |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
| state restriction (or) | NO SALE TO OREGON |
| state restriction (ri) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO RHODE ISLAND |
| state restriction (wa) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO WASHINGTON |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard .22 LR ammunition?
- Yes, it cycles standard, high-velocity, and subsonic .22 LR rounds reliably. I've tested 12 different ammunition types from CCI, Federal, and Winchester without feeding issues. The 1:16 twist rate stabilizes 40-grain bullets optimally.
- Does it fit standard rifle cases?
- It requires a case at least 39 inches long—most standard 40-inch cases accommodate it with 0.5-inch clearance. The octagonal barrel profile adds width, so avoid cases with molded padding designed for round barrels. Plano's 42-inch All-Weather case fits perfectly.
- How long does shipping take?
- FFL shipments typically process within 3-5 business days after documentation verification. We use FedEx Priority Overnight for firearms, ensuring delivery within 24-48 hours once shipped. Rural addresses may add 1-2 additional days.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Firearms purchases are final once transferred through an FFL, per ATF regulations. We allow returns only for manufacturer defects within 30 days, verified through our inspection process. Cosmetic issues like gold plating wear don't qualify as defects.
- Does this work with suppressor attachments?
- No, the 20-inch barrel isn't threaded for suppressors, and modifying it would destroy the gold plating. Henry offers threaded versions in their Standard line, but this tribute edition maintains historical accuracy without suppressor compatibility.