Career
He submitted a rifle to the competition organised by the British government for a replacement to their existing Snider–Enfield service weapon. The resulting Martini-Henry rifle is named for von Martini and himself. Henry is a fascinating character – from a number of personal tragedies in his family, to some disastrous other business ventures, but he also was the "First Volunteer" – the first signatory to the creation of the Queen's Edinburgh Rifle Volunteers, moderator of the High Constables of Edinburgh, a Justice of the Peace, freemason and Edinburgh town councillor.
In 1872 he was appointed "gun and rifle manufacturer to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales".
When Alexander Henry died, he left the business to Alick and John. His grave is in Warriston Cemetery, Edinburgh.