THIS ISSUE IS CLOSED
Honoring Uncommon Valor in Our Nation’s Greatest Trial
In the summer of 1863, two mighty armies converged on a small, quiet Pennsylvania town – Gettysburg. Here, 65,000 Confederate troops led by General Robert E. Lee massed against Union General George Meade and his army of 85,000. In a bitter, three day struggle, these two mighty waves of blue and gray would crash headlong in what would become the greatest battle ever fought on American soil, and a monumental turning point in the War Between the States.
History hung in the balance as the Union lines were broken at Cemetery Ridge, a moment now regarded as the “high-water mark of the Confederacy.” But the moment was brief, and when the battle ended, General Robert E. Lee had been handed a bitter defeat. In all, the combined casualties of the battle numbered 50,000 killed or injured, and the South would never again have the resources to launch such a major offensive.
Months later, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address at the scene of the battle. Honoring the many bold combatants who lost their lives, Lincoln said, “the world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.”
To honor this epic event in American history, and to honor all the brave soldiers who fought at Gettysburg, America Remembers proudly presents the Gettysburg Tribute Rifle. For the Tribute, we have selected the legendary Henry Rifle, a coveted weapon of soldiers on both sides of the battle.
Considered by many to be the most effective firearm in the Civil War, the Henry Rifle represented a tremendous leap forward in firearms engineering. First produced at Oliver Winchester’s New Haven, Connecticut factory in 1858, it used self-contained, .44 caliber rimfire cartridges, fifteen of which could fit in the magazine with another in the chamber. As a result, the Henry far outclassed the ball-and-powder rifles in general use at the time, and was the forerunner of the classic Winchester rifle.
Each rifle in the edition is produced for us by the master craftsmen of A. Uberti, which is regarded as the world’s premier maker of historic firearms recreations.
Used by both the Union and Confederate armies, the Henry was a highly prized battle trophy for any soldier, just as collectors everywhere treasure it today. The world-renowned gun-makers of Aldo Uberti have painstakingly recreated the Henry precisely as it existed in the 1860s, with a 24 ¼-inch, half-octagonal barrel, authentic elevated sight and walnut stocks. The receiver, trigger guard and butt-plate are clad in 24-karat gold. A collection of lifelike portraits and vignettes adorn the receiver in nickel and black, produced by some of America’s most talented artisans.
Left side features four portraits of notable military commanders at Gettysburg. There is Robert E. Lee, the revered military genius whose loyalty to Virginia made him end years of faithful service to the U.S. Army to become commander of the Confederate forces. George Meade matched wits with Lee at Gettysburg just days after assuming his post as commander of the Union Army. On the first day of fighting, John Buford and a small cavalry force held back the Confederate army for hours until Union reinforcements arrived. J.E.B. Stuart led a Confederate cavalry division in a spectacular three-hour cavalry battle against Union troopers. In the center is a depiction of Lincoln delivering his immortal Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery. To the right is an image of a cannon and artillerymen with an excerpt from Lincoln’s historic speech: “We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.”
Right side features four portraits of legendary leaders at Gettysburg. There is James Longstreet, Robert E. Lee’s field commander and the man he affectionately called his “old warhorse.” Winfield Scott Hancock inspired the Union troops by braving heavy artillery bombardments and when injured, went on supervising the battle from his stretcher. George Pickett commanded the Virginia regiments that led the Confederate charge up Cemetery Ridge. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the men of the 20th Maine held Little Round Top against repeated enemy charges before pushing the Confederates back with a counter-charge of their own. To the far right, a cannon and artillerymen are shown along with the inscription: “Armistead at Pickett’s Charge, July 3, 1863.” Prominently featured in the center is a battle scene with Lewis A. Armistead leading the Confederate forces that broke through to reach a Union cannon in what is often considered the “High water mark of the Confederacy.”
Production of the Gettysburg Tribute is limited to only 500 rifles. Displayed in your home or office, it will be a treasured heirloom for generations to come, and a fitting tribute to the sacrifices and triumphs of the generation that saved the world. Reservations will be accepted in the order they are received. We will arrange delivery of your rifle through a licensed dealer of your choice. If for any reason you are less than satisfied with the Tribute, you may return it within 30 days for a full refund.
