Your describing something I’ve never witnessed. I’ve caught thousands of live rattlers over the years and handled for the Big Spring and Sweetwater Roundup’s. When mating rattlers can extend themselves vertically to about 1/3rd their length, when striking it’s about 1/2 their length.
For our more adventurous freepers here’s a little advice, Should you get hit “Do not cut the wound” and “do not apply a tourniquet”, both can cause un-repairable damage. Get to the hospital ASAP!
When I heard the hissing/rattling it was already up on it's tail about 6 feet in front of me. (I was horrified) It was weaving around and I started shooting my deer rifle from the hip without looking through the sights. I hit it on about the 3rd shot when it had already started moving away from me.
This happened long before I had a cell phone or a camera in my pocket to photograph it. Ask your friends if they have ever witnessed it.
I am still looking for the painting.