Guns International #: 102897873
Seller's Inventory #: 31667

Category - Winchester Rifles - Model 1873 - Winchester Rifles - Antique Lever

Category
Winchester Rifles - Model 1873
Winchester Rifles - Antique Lever

ORIGINAL ANNIE OAKLEY OWNED AND USED WINCHESTER 1873 LEVER ACTION .22 RF CAL. RIFLE.

Description:
ORIGINAL ANNIE OAKLEY OWNED AND USED WINCHESTER 1873 LEVER ACTION .22 RF CAL. RIFLE. Best documented and previously unknown rifle used by Annie and her husband Frank Butler during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s including when they lived in South Orange and later in Nutley, New Jersey while performing with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show internationally as well as performing in other events closer to home. The nearby events included numerous shooting demonstrations held at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey and the Smith Gun Club in Newark, New Jersey. One of their best friends at the time and for many years after was fellow Smith Gun Club member Louis Daum of New Jersey to whom Frank gifted Winchester model 1873 22rf caliber rifle serial number 308616B as a token of their friendship. The rifle was seen by Mr. Daum being used by both Annie and Frank on numerous occasions during demonstrations at the Smith Gun Club. Attested to in a notarized letter dated August 27, 1957 from Mr. Daum’s Grandson, Mr. Charles T. Day III to whom it descended it states “THIS RIFLE WAS LEFT TO ME BY MY GRANDFATHER, MR. LOUIS DAUM, TO WHOM IT WAS GIVEN BY MR. FRANK BUTLER, HUSBAND OF ANNIE OAKLEY/THE RIFLE WAS USED BY HER AND MR. DAUM SAW HER USE IT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DURING SHOOTING DEMONSTRATIONS SHE GAVE AT THE SMITH GUN CLUB, THEEN LOCATED IN NEWARK, N. J.”. The letter further states “THERIFLE WAS GIVER TO MR. DAUM ABOUT 1912. MR. DAUM WAS A PERSONAL FRIEND OF THE BUTLER’S.” The rifle was sold by Mr. Day in 1957 to collector-dealer Gedney Godwin of West Chester, Pennsylvania. This rifle was obviously one of Annie and Frank’s favorites showing the long use in the very handsome well used condition it is in today. Not a fancy gun presented to them as so many were but one of the only guns known actually used by them in their performances over the years. Additionally it is one of the best documented Frank Butler and Annie Oakley guns attested to as having been seen in use in their performances on “SEVERAL OCCASIONS” indicating it was one of the Butler’s most important ones and frequently shot. Wonderful and historic in every respect. Price on request

Price: POR

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .22 Short, .22 Long