1865 Historic Hawaiian Henry Rifle Factory Engraved-McCook, King Kalakaua, Princess Kawananakoa
Guns International #: 100565268 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Henry Rifles - Antique - Antique Rifles - Cartridge
Seller's Information
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Seller: Frontier Gallery
Company: Frontier Gallery
Member Since: 9/24/13
First Name: Peter
Last Name: Gracyalny
State: Colorado
Zip: 80524
Country: United States
Phone: (970) 484-4200
Fax: (970) 484-4200
Number of Active Listings: 0
Total Number of Listings: 52
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Cash, Postal Money Orders, Certified Checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover ~ NO CC Fee
Description:
This is a Military Henry rifle made in 1865. It was originally silverplated of which traces remain. It was engraved by the Henry factory engraver, Samuel Hoggson for General McCook. Brigadier General Edward McCook was one of the famous "Fighting McCook's" of Civil War fame. When General McCook mustered out of the service he was commissioned by President Andrew Johnson to be the Minister to the Kingdom of Hawaii, March 21, 1866.
During Gen. McCook's term as Minister to Hawaii (1866-1869) he was able to have King Kamehameha V agree to a reciprocity treaty. Gen McCook was named a member of the Hawaiian Royal Order and got to know David Kalakaua, the Last King of Hawaii. King Kalakaua was affectionately known as the "Merry Monarch" for his love of parties, travel and other social events. Both McCook and Kalakaua enjoyed the social nightlife. President Ulysses S Grant appoints Gen McCook as the 7th Territorial Governor of Colorado in 1869.
King Kalakaua, the "Merry Monarch", loves to travel all over the globe. On a trip to San Francisco in 1891 King Kalakaua dies. The McCook rifle remains in Kalakaua's estate until it and the entire contents of the rifle cabinet of Kalakaua's heir, Prince Kuhio, are donated by Prince Kuhios' wife to the Bishop museum. The Bishop museum sells the rifle at in 1932.
Colonel Gerald C. (Jerry) Brant, an officer in the US Army stationed in Hawaii 1931-1934, buys the rifle and makes a gift of the McCook rifle to Princess [Abigail] Kawananakoa, thus putting it back into the Royal Hawaiian Family. Colonel Brant has a nameplate attached that reads "King Kalakaua's Favorite Rifle - to Princess Kawananakoa from Col. Jerry Brant."
The McCook/Kalakaua rifle is now back in the Hawaiian royal family and back in the Bishop museum. Sometime later, possibly in the 1960's the Bishop museum decides that they can no longer have firearms on display and sell the McCook rifle, as well as others.
Quite a history for one rifle. From the end of the Civil War to the Last King of Hawaii to a museum in Hawaii to an that places it back in the Hawaiian Royal Family, to another museum, which sells it again and now it can be yours. Quite the history for one rifle.
SOLD
Antique: Yes