The Critic (Washington, District of Columbia), Friday November 12, 1886
Miss Annie Oakley, the sharp shooter, possesses the most valuable rifle in America. Every screw in it is of solid gold, and a figure of herself, also of gold, is set in the stock. It was a present from L.C. Smith of Syracuse.
Annie's 1888 letter stated 4 Lancasters were made in 1887
The 1894 New York Times piece listed 2 Lancaster, 1 Scott, 1 Parker & 1 Francotte.
The Art of Wingshooting, William Bruce Leffingwell, 1895
https://books.google.com/books?id=e34EmE3tkfkC&pg=PA106&vq
I was permitted to examine many of the fine guns used by Miss Oakley in exhibition shooting, and noticed among them one Charles Lancaster ejector, one Charles Lancaster non-ejector, a Cashmore hammerless, a magnificent Smith ejector with a gold figure of herself inlaid, a Parker hammerless, a Scott Monte Carlo, a Scott ejector of highest quality, and an exquisite little Francotte ejector with Whitworth barrels.
Could that be the 1886 gift from L.C. Smith?? But the AE was not available until c. 1892?
The 2 Parker hammer guns on p. 2 have clear provenance. Where is the 1895 referenced Parker hammerless??
Her Tiffany engraved possibly Smith A1 was made 1898 or 1899. Dr Jim and I have contacted both the BBHC and the Gene Autry museums hoping to get the SN so the Hunter Arms' records can be checked.
1
Responses
« Back to index | View thread »