Proceeds to support private military security contractors returning from battle in the world’s most dangerous places
Henry Repeating Arms, one of the nation’s leading firearms manufacturers, is proud to announce its latest Weapons for great causes campaign with the donation of a one-of-a-kind new original Henry rifle to benefit the Shadow Warriors Project, co-founded by speaker, best-selling author and former private military security contractor, Mark “Oz” Geist. The ornately engraved firearm is currently up for auction at Gunbroker.com, with 100% of the proceeds from the winning bid going directly to fund the efforts of the Shadow Warrior Project. Early estimates suggest the auction could top $50,000.
Mark Geist served in the United States Marine Corps for 12 years before deciding to extend his service to the country as a Special Operations Contractor, where he became part of an elite security team for a CIA outpost in Benghazi. , Libya. This facility would become the target of the Islamic militant group Ansar al-Sharia on September 11, 2012, and Geist is credited with saving the lives of 25 Americans during the siege. The actions of Geist and the rest of his team are described in the New York Times bestseller, 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi, and in a feature film titled 13 Hours: Benghazi’s Secret Soldiers. ”.
Shadow Warriors Project was started by Geist and his wife Krystal after he returned home mentally and physically injured, unable to work, and without official support programs due to his status as a private contractor. Unlike active military or veterans, there is no post-commitment support for private security contractors returning from battle abroad. The goal of the Shadow Warriors Project is to serve as a lifeline by offering financial assistance for medical bills, PTSD treatment, and other rehabilitation needed to ease the transition to everyday civilian life. It is the only organization of its kind. The foundation’s grantees are private military security contractors hired by the CIA or private companies that have conducted paramilitary security operations in some of the world’s most volatile places.
“Learning about Mark’s service and understanding what he and his brothers have been through before, during and after the Benghazi attack in 2012 is humbling and nothing short of impressive,” says Anthony Imperato, CEO and founder of Henry Repeating. Arms. “Henry Repeating Arms wholeheartedly supports the courageous mission of Mark and Krystal and any organization dedicated to improving the lives of those who sacrificed so much for our freedom. We did everything we could for this rifle, so now I’m crossing my fingers for a record at auction.”
Henry Repeating Arms is donating one of the most unique rifles ever built in the company’s history, a custom edition 1 of 1 Shadow Warriors Project New Original Henry Rifle featuring hand engravings and exhibition grade hickory furniture. The rifle bears the Project Shadow Warriors emblem on one side of the hardened brass receiver, the Seal of the President of the United States on the other side, and a unique “SW911” custom serial number. Blooming leafy vine scrolls and a scalloped edge complete the embellishments on both sides of the rifle.
In addition to using modern materials to accommodate contemporary ammunition, the rifle is exact to Benjamin Tyler Henry’s 1860 patent for the first successful repeating rifle and one of America’s most legendary contributions to the international stage of firearms design. Features include a one-piece octagon barrel and 13-round tube magazine that are deeply blued and highly polished, a crescent-shaped polished brass buttplate with a period-correct “hatch” magazine, a ladder rear sight folding and a brass blade front sight, and a traditional half-key safety mechanism.
The online auction, available at gunbroker.com, concludes on Friday, September 16 at 9:00 am ET. All firearm sales must be shipped to a federally licensed dealer.
For more information on Henry Repeating Arms and its products, visit henryusa.com or call 866-200-2354 for a free catalog.
About Henry’s repeated arms:
Henry Repeating Arms is one of the leading manufacturers of rifles and shotguns in the United States and a world leader in the lever-action category. The company’s motto is “Made in America, or not at all,” and its firearms come with a lifetime warranty backed by award-winning customer service. The company is also known for its Guns For Great Causes charity program, which focuses on helping families of sick children, children’s hospitals, military veterans organizations, Second Amendment advocacy groups, and wildlife conservation organizations. The company currently employs more than 550 people and has more than 330,000 square feet of manufacturing space at its Wisconsin and New Jersey facilities. The company is named in honor of Benjamin Tyler Henry, who invented and patented the Henry lever-action rifle in 1860, the first practical repeating rifle and America’s unique contribution to the international firearms design scene. Visit Henry Repeating Arms online at henryusa.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/HenryRepeating, and @henry_rifles on Instagram.