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McCook was appointed U.S. Minister Resident at the Hawaiian
Islands in mid-1866 and served until December 1868 and was
presented to King Kamehameha V and his staff. The king’s staff included future king David
Kalakaua. He worked to establish reciprocity between the islands and the U.S. While in Hawaii,
McCook also tried to negotiate the sale of one of the islands to the U.S. but was rebuffed. McCook
was funded in part by wealthy businessmen in the islands mainly connected to the sugar industry
who wished to see the islands annexed by the U.S., and he wrote in favor of U.S. annexation. He also
objected to the coolie trade that essentially amounted to a trade in enslaved Chinese laborers. McCook was
later controversially appointed as governor of the Colorado Territory by President Grant in 1869, removed by petition in 1873, reinstated in 1874, and left office in 1875 and was one of the
wealthiest men in Colorado thanks to his various business interests. McCook was made a Knights Commander of the Order of Kamehameha I in 1875 by King David Kalakaua. He was in Chicago when he died in 1909.
The included provenance and research file identifies this rifle as being first owned by General
Edward McCook and later owned by King David
Kalakaua of Hawaii (obviously by gift from
McCook), the islands’ last reigning king. It was
documented with the notation “Gen’l McCook
#8850” in Prince Kuhio Kalaniana’ole’s arms collection when
he died in 1922, and his widow, Elizabeth K. Woods, donated it
to the Bishop Museum. The Bishop sold the rifle at auction c. 1932
to Lieutenant Colonel Gerald C. Brant, and Brant gave the rifle back
to the Hawaiian royal family via presentation to Princess Abigail Kawananakoa, widow of Prince Kuhio Kalaniana’ole’s older brother Prince
David Kawananakoa. At that time, a plaque (still retained) was fitted to the stock reading “KING KALAKAUA’S/FAVORITE RIFLE/TO/PRINCESS KAWANANAKOA/FROM/COL. JERRY BRANT.” She left the rifle to her son David Kalakaua Kawananakoa, and at some point the rifle returned to the Bishop Museum and was again subsequently sold, this time to collector John A. Bell.
King David Kalakaua (1836-1891) was the king of Hawaii from 1874 until his death. The rifle was likely given while McCook was serving in Hawaii
before Kalakaua became king or presented it to him after he became king during Kalakaua’s visit to the U.S. in November 1874 to February 1875.
As king, he tried to keep the United States at bay and secure traditional Hawaiian social and political orders, but he was ultimately forced to allow
the United States the exclusive right to enter Pearl Harbor and instituted a new constitution in 1887 (nicknamed the Bayonet Constitution) that gave
considerably more political control to the wealthy elites and businessmen. He was under threat from armed Americans and Europeans allied with the
Hawaiian League who wanted the islands to be annexed by the United States and worked to end the authority of the Hawaiian monarchy. This constitution
was never properly ratified and was resisted by native Hawaiians from the start, but it did undermine the King and led to increased control by non-Hawaiians.
After Kalakaua’s death, his wife, Queen Liliuokalani (1838 - 1917), ruled until she was overthrown in 1893 by the Hawaiian League with aid from the U.S. military. A
U.S. flag was flown over the royal palace, but the U.S. government under President Grover Cleveland ruled that the coup was illegal and attempted to restore the Queen.
However, the Hawaiian League ignored Cleveland and moved forward with their seizure of control of the island. Hawaii became the Republic of Hawaii. Attempts to rebel and reinstate the Queen led to
her imprisonment in 1895, and she was forced to sign a formal abdication in order to prevent the execution of her supporters. She was tried, imprisoned, and finally pardoned in 1896. Resistance continued,
but before the end of the century, a U.S. flag flew over the Hawaiian palace when the islands were annexed as a U.S. territory in 1898. In 1900, the U.S. government took control of the royal lands in Hawaii over the protest of the former queen. McCook assured Liliuokalani that he believed that President McKinley would negotiate with her and reach favorable terms, but nothing came of it. It is important to note that we are not aware of any Hawaiian associated firearms that approach this historic and important piece of American History.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel and magazine tube retain 10-15% refinished blue finish in the muzzle extension section and traces at the breech. The balance shows a mottled gray-brown patina. The frame has crisp engraving and retains a nice patch of original silver on the deer scene on the left and traces of original silver in the protected areas. The balance displays an attractive aged patina. The lever, hammer, and some smaller components such as the stock swivel have an applied, refinished dark blue finish. The lever and hammer also have dark patina and mild oxidation. The buttplate retains 70% of the original silver plating and has aged patina on the balance. The stock is fine with what appears to be a thin, period preservative finish (possibly linseed oil) added to its surface and has attractive figure, a repaired chip on the left side of the wrist, small flake on the left at the toe, general mild dings and scratches, and attractive appearance overall. Mechanically excellent. This is a very historic Henry rifle linked both to the American Civil War and U.S. imperialism in the Pacific in the late 19th century. It will add interest and value to any antique arms collections and is certainly one of the most interesting and historic Henry rifles in private hands.
Estimate: 65,000 - 125,000
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