*ANNIE OAKLEY’S SPECIAL ORDER PARKER BROS BHE.

*ANNIE OAKLEY’S SPECIAL ORDER PARKER BROS BHE. SN 117432. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 24-3/4″ Titanic steel bbls. (Originally 30″) No other personage evokes an association with the “Wild West” and shooting, more so than “Little Sure Shot”, Annie Oakley. She and her husband, Frank Butler, used many Parker shotguns during their tenure at Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show, and later when they were on their own giving shooting demonstrations. This unusual shotgun, special ordered by and delivered to Frank Butler, is unique in that it is the only known Parker that actually portrays Annie. The right side of the action has Annie in her traditional shooting garb, at the ready with setter on point in circular vignette at rear, and with another smaller circular scene with two game birds, one flying and another perched in tree. Left side has Annie taking a shot with pointer in background; smaller vignette depicts one bird still flying and the other obviously shot. These interesting scenes are surrounded by exceptionally well cut semi-relief scroll. “PARKER BROS” is in scrolled ribands on each side of action. Trigger plate is engraved with scene of stag and hind. Quality of engraving, especially scroll, is higher than that normally encountered on Parker guns. Other attributes of this interesting and historically important shotgun are that it was made without any safety, and it was ordered with dimensions very close to those that Annie was known to favor. It was supplied with Titanic steel bbls (as were many “B” grade guns),automatic ejectors, and double triggers, and was specified with 4-1/2″ half pistol grip and “Silvers rubber butt”. Nicely marbled, dense, stump-figured Circassian walnut semi-pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8″ over brown open sided “White Line” pad. (Original specification was 14-1/8″ over Silvers pad.) So it appears that stock wood is original length. Stocks also feature typical “B” grade checkered side panels, fleur-di-lis drop points, and scallop bordered checkering, with flourishes extending into butt. A gold oval which appears to be original, is let into round knob of pistol grip, and is engraved with initials “W C W” (unknown, undoubtedly a secondary owner). Matching splinter ejector forend has typical steel tip and Parker release. Bore diameter: left -.731, right -.731. Bore restrictions: left -.000, right -.000. Wall thickness: left -.030, right -.025. Drop at heel: 2-7/16″, drop at comb: 1-9/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 9 oz, LOP 14-1/8″. Original order specifications called for: Drop at heel: 2-1/4″. Weight: 7-1/2 – 7-3/4 lbs., LOP 14-1/8″. This gun is illustrated on p. 639 of THE PARKER STORY the caption of which states “We assume this gun was ordered by someone who greatly admired “Ms. Annie””. This was written before all Parker records were available, and later research found that this gun was ordered by her husband, who obviously specified the engraving, and whom, we are sure, did “greatly admire “Ms. Annie”, as the couple was inseparable for their entire adult lives. (The cost of this gun was $229.00, a credit of $200.00 was allowed for gun no. 107950, a “B” grade pistol grip Damascus with 30″ bbls.) PROVENANCE: Factory letter giving specifications for this gun, and stating that it was ordered on Feb. 21, 1903 by Frank E. Butler. CONDITION: Fine, as refinished. Bbls retain 60 – 70% of an old re-blue with some marks and spotting. Action is coin finished, and is a pleasing silver gray. Engraving remains mostly sharp and clear. Stocks refinished with hand rubbed oil. Checkering is nicely re-cut, borders remain untouched. Screw slots show some use. Action is slightly loose. Bores are bright and shiny. Ejectors are in time. An Annie Oakley owned Parker hammer gun (SN 48767) recently (June 2012) brought over $143,000.00 at auction. 4-46395 MGM62 (30,000-50,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2539	$28,750.00	ANNIE OAKLEY’S SPECIAL ORDER PARKER BROS BHE. SN 117432. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 24-3/4″ Titanic steel bbls. (Originally 30″) No other personage evokes an association with the “Wild West” and shooting, more so than “Little Sure Shot”, Annie Oakley. She and her husband, Frank Butler, used many Parker shotguns during their tenure at Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show, and later when they were on their own giving shooting demonstrations. This unusual shotgun, special ordered by and delivered to Frank Butler, is unique in that it is the only known Parker that actually portrays Annie. The right side of the action has Annie in her traditional shooting garb, at the ready with setter on point in circular vignette at rear, and with another smaller circular scene with two game birds, one flying and another perched in tree. Left side has Annie taking a shot with pointer in background; smaller vignette depicts one bird still flying and the other obviously shot. These interesting scenes are surrounded by exceptionally well cut semi-relief scroll. “PARKER BROS” is in scrolled ribands on each side of action. Trigger plate is engraved with scene of stag and hind. Quality of engraving, especially scroll, is higher than that normally encountered on Parker guns. Other attributes of this interesting and historically important shotgun are that it was made without any safety, and it was ordered with dimensions very close to those that Annie was known to favor. It was supplied with Titanic steel bbls (as were many “B” grade guns),automatic ejectors, and double triggers, and was specified with 4-1/2″ half pistol grip and “Silvers rubber butt”. Nicely marbled, dense, stump-figured Circassian walnut semi-pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8″ over brown open sided “White Line” pad. (Original specification was 14-1/8″ over Silvers pad.) So it appears that stock wood is original length. Stocks also feature typical “B” grade checkered side panels, fleur-di-lis drop points, and scallop bordered checkering, with flourishes extending into butt. A gold oval which appears to be original, is let into round knob of pistol grip, and is engraved with initials “W C W” (unknown, undoubtedly a secondary owner). Matching splinter ejector forend has typical steel tip and Parker release. Bore diameter: left -.731, right -.731. Bore restrictions: left -.000, right -.000. Wall thickness: left -.030, right -.025. Drop at heel: 2-7/16″, drop at comb: 1-9/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 9 oz, LOP 14-1/8″. Original order specifications called for: Drop at heel: 2-1/4″. Weight: 7-1/2 – 7-3/4 lbs., LOP 14-1/8″. This gun is illustrated on p. 639 of THE PARKER STORY the caption of which states “We assume this gun was ordered by someone who greatly admired “Ms. Annie””. This was written before all Parker records were available, and later research found that this gun was ordered by her husband, who obviously specified the engraving, and whom, we are sure, did “greatly admire “Ms. Annie”, as the couple was inseparable for their entire adult lives. (The cost of this gun was $229.00, a credit of $200.00 was allowed for gun no. 107950, a “B” grade pistol grip Damascus with 30″ bbls.) PROVENANCE: Factory letter giving specifications for this gun, and stating that it was ordered on Feb. 21, 1903 by Frank E. Butler. CONDITION: Fine, as refinished. Bbls retain 60 – 70% of an old re-blue with some marks and spotting. Action is coin finished, and is a pleasing silver gray. Engraving remains mostly sharp and clear. Stocks refinished with hand rubbed oil. Checkering is nicely re-cut, borders remain untouched. Screw slots show some use. Action is slightly loose. Bores are bright and shiny. Ejectors are in time. An Annie Oakley owned Parker hammer gun (SN 48767) recently (June 2012) brought over $143,000.00 at auction. 4-46395 MGM62 (30,000-50,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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