USS Texas Commemorative Rifle from Henry Repeating Arms
Henry Repeating Arms has a reputation of willingness to assist worthy organizations by producing custom rifles for fundraising campaigns. The company has once again stepped up, and in cooperation with Barron Engraving, is supporting efforts to preserve and restore the Battleship Texas with a commemorative gun.
The new Henry .22 LR lever action guns feature detailed engravings of the USS Texas (BB-35) along with precise scrollwork done in gold and silver. Depictions of the battleship include both the original 1914 ship and the upgraded 1927 ship. The Texas state seal is also engraved on the gun.
The USS Texas is the only surviving dreadnought type battleship from World War I, and the only battleship still in existence that served in both world wars. It earned five battle stars and supported fighting in Africa, Normandy, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. It also provided convoy protection during both world wars as well as supported US action against Mexico in 1914.
Currently, the ship serves as a museum and is open to the public in LaPorte, Texas. However, it does suffer from the ravages of time and the sea. In addition to upgrades to the ship to make it a better museum for visitors, the ship is constantly fighting corrosion and other problems that all ships experience. Earlier this year, a 6″x8″ hole opened beneath the waterline causing a 6˚ list to starboard. Although that leak and others were repaired, it is symptomatic of ongoing maintenance efforts that the Battleship Texas Foundation deals with.
According to the BattleshipTexas.org website, the rifles are selling for $999 each. Of that $400 goes to the foundation. Orders are tax exempt since the foundation is a 501c entity. Payment is due at the time of ordering, and all orders must be placed by December 31, 2017.
All guns made by Henry Repeating Arms are manufactured in the United States of America.
An advocate of gun proliferation zones, Richard is a long time shooter, former cop and internet entrepreneur. Among the many places he calls home is http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/.
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My old scoutmaster's father served on this ship in WWII. I had an opportunity to tour the ship this summer, and it is an astounding piece of history. I'm not always one for "commemorative" firearms, but this one is kinda cool.
I am planning on purchasing one of these rifles. And I think that every Texan firearm enthusiast should. My aunt worked for the non-profit for the USS Texan for many years. It is a really cool piece of history.