£14,000
Annie Oakley’s “Rifle Queen” Presentation Engraved Daw’s 408 Pin-Fire Smooth Bore Target Gun -
Crafted in the late 19th Century, this George Henry Daw 408 Pin-Fire Smooth Bore Target Gun with original factory engraving and revolutionary cartridge ejection mechanism was made for the legendary female target sharpshooter, Annie Oakley (Phoebe Ann Mosey, 1860-1926). Profusely engraved with references to Oakley and constructed to suit a smaller stature, this gun was intended to be for the Rifle Queen.
George H. Daw supplied the finest shotguns and rifles to many important figures, such as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He was known for giving rifles as prizes at many competitions and there is a chance that it was used to sway her away from other gunmakers who were also producing guns for her, namely Charles Lancaster and Stevens Arms.
Annie Oakley was a keen hunter and trapper from a young age, using her unique skill to feed her family and even pay off the mortgage for the family farm at the age of 15 by selling the captured game to local businesses. In 1885, Oakley and her husband, Frank Butler, joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West touring circus show as sharpshooters where, standing at only five feet tall, she was presented with the nickname “Watanya Cicilla” by her Native American counterpart Sitting Bull, translating to “Little Sure Shot”. Both names are delicately engraved on either side of the target gun chamber.
Performing daring dead-shot feats such as target shooting while standing on the back of a galloping horse and precision tasks like shooting a coin are just a couple of the reasons why she earned the stage name “Rifle Queen”, which is elaborately engraved on the butt plate of the gun along with a scrollwork surround and to both sides of the forestock. One of the most minute but important details can be seen when holding the gun and viewing down the sight, on which can be seen the words “Never Miss”.
The receiver is engraved on both sides with the maker’s name “George H. Daw” and the top of the barrel with further inscription reading “George H. Daw, 57 Threadneedle Street, London. Daw’s 408 Pin-Fire Smooth Bore Target Gun” and matching serial number “3444”.
Target guns are usually fitted with a rifled barrel to increase accuracy, but the calibre of this example is smooth bored, which suggests shot would’ve been used instead of a bullet to improve the chances of hitting an object, or even used in a manner of trick shooting.
Another ingenious segment of this rifle is the ejection mechanism, which makes use of the pin within the pin fire cartridge as a means of extracting the cartridge. Once the gun has been fired, the barrel is slid forward with the hammer kept in place, therefore holding the cartridge, and when put to half cock/safe the hammer then releases the cartridge and is ready to be reloaded.
The gun is accompanied by its original mahogany carrying case, which bears a brass plaque on the cover, inscribed "Rifle Queen" centred with the initials "A.O.". The case with original William Tompson of Birmingham Patent lock. The interior with re-fitted green baize lining and later plaque.
Additionally, a letter from George H. Daw Gunmakers is included regarding the gun, with some prior research and comments.
This is an extremely rare opportunity to own a remarkable piece of American history, made for one of the most famous early American female cultural icons.
Provenance: From a UK private gun collector
The gun is in very good condition and does show signs of original finish but also shows signs of re-finishing, which is common on a gun of this age.
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