Honoring the 150th Anniversary of the War
Between the States with the Artwork of an American Master
One hundred and fifty years ago, our nation was torn by
war. Four years of conflict forced state against state, neighbor against
neighbor, and brother against brother. By the end of the Civil War, our once
peaceful American landscape would be shattered, but even though the War
Between the States tore us apart, it helped put us back together stronger
than ever, creating a true United States of America.
And more than a century after it had ended, one man would
recapture it all – Mort Künstler.
Mort Künstler is a critically-acclaimed artist who has
become a master at bringing scenes from American history to life. Looking at
his paintings, you can almost hear the thunder of rifles and the clash of
swords. You can almost smell the cannon smoke and the burning grass on the
battlefield. Künstler's brush can simultaneously reveal the fear on a
soldier’s face and the courage in his heart. Almost singlehandedly over the
last three decades, he has changed how we see the Civil War. His talent and
passion keeps the heroes of American history alive, ensuring that they will
never be forgotten.
As our nation marks the 150th anniversary of an era that
reshaped the country, America Remembers announces the Mort Künstler Civil
War Sesquicentennial Tribute Rifle, issued exclusively by America Remembers.
Our partnership with Mr. Künstler has produced some of our
most popular presentation firearms. For this Tribute we’ve immortalized a
collection of Künstler's most unforgettable images and translated them into
lustrous 24-karat gold artwork on a brushed nickel canvas. Craftsmen
commissioned specifically for this project by America Remembers decorate
each working Henry rifle, one of the most trusted long guns of the war, in
sparkling 24-karat gold and brushed nickel artwork with a blackened patinaed
background to highlight the details of the artwork.
The Legendary Henry Rifle
When it came time to select a firearm for our remarkable
Civil War Sesquicentennial collaboration with Mort Künstler, the choice was
clear - it had to be a Henry.
The Henry is considered by many as the most
technologically advanced rifle of the Civil War. The classic, lever-action
firearm was highly coveted by soldiers on both sides of the conflict, and
remains a favorite of collectors today. The celebrated rifle also provides
the perfect canvas for Mort Künstler's dramatic vignettes, each carefully
selected from his vast library of Civil War paintings.
Each Tribute is a meticulously-detailed working recreation
of the Henry rifle in caliber .44-40, crafted by the incomparable artisans
of A. Uberti. For decades, their craftsmen have combined modern high-grade
materials with the time-honored methods of finishing to create exquisite,
working reproductions of history’s greatest firearms.
Only 300 Available
Only 300 Tributes will be issued in this strictly
limited-edition, available exclusively through America Remembers. Do not
hesitate to secure your Tribute today. Reservations will be accepted in the
order they are received. Delivery will be arranged through a licensed
firearms dealer of your choice. And, as always, if you are not satisfied
with your Tribute after personal inspection, you can return it unfired
within 30 days for a full refund.
It's been a century and a half since the last gunshots of
the Civil War echoed across the countryside, but the epic conflicts and
battlefield heroes from the era continue to captivate us. It was a struggle
that made our nation stronger.
The blued 24 Ľ” octagonal barrel is beautifully
complemented by hand-polished American walnut stocks, featuring Künstler's
own stylish, laser-carved signature, and stunning decorations throughout in
24-karat gold.
Left side features a recreation of the painting, “On to
Richmond: Grant in the Wilderness – May 7, 1864.” The scene captures an
important turning point for General Grant and his men. After two days of
harsh fighting, Grant rejects the idea of retreat and leads his troops on to
Richmond. Featured in the center, framed in a decorative oval, is a
depiction of “The Angle: Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.” Here Künstler captures
the energy and drama of Pickett's Charge, depicting the bloody clash of
Union and Confederate forces. Also on the left is a Künstler portrait of
Abraham Lincoln, perfectly capturing the resolve of the man who steered our
country through its most tumultuous time.
Right side features a reverent portrait of General Robert
E. Lee. Portrayed many times in the paintings of Künstler, the celebrated
leader of the Confederate forces has proved to be a favorite subject of the
artist. Featured in the center is a recreation of, “With a Rebel Yell –
Second Manassas, August 29, 1862.” Lee took a risk in leading his Army of
Northern Virginia against General Pope's men near Manassas. The Southerners
charged the North in a brazen, head-on strike with “a wild Confederate
yell,” leading to one of Lee's greatest victories. Also featured is “A Model
Partnership – Winter of 1863.” The scene depicts Jackson and Lee front and
center atop their horses.
|
