GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
IMPORTANT PARKER DH GRADE SHOTGUN SHIPPED TO FRANK BUTLER C/O BUFFALO BILL'S WILD WEST SHOW, 1901 AND LATER CONVERTED FOR WIFE, ANNIE OAKLEY.PARKERSXS DH9581912GAMODERN; C&R; ESACal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Cham. 30" Titanic steel bbls. Case hardened action with correct Parker markings on water table, features automatic safety and dbl triggers. It is engraved in "D" style with 80% coverage varying sized scroll surrounding vignettes of dogs and game; pointer on left, setter on right, and four pheasant on the trigger plate. "PARKER BROS" is on scrolled band on each side of action. Trigger guard with scroll on bow, has SN on tang. Fine fiddleback and marbled walnut straight grip buttstock has usual "D" style side panels with lozenge shaped drop points, point pattern checkering and skeleton steel buttplate. A vacant silver oval is on toe line. Typical splinter forend has steel tip and usual release. Bore diameter: left -.730, right - .730. Bore restrictions: left - .037 (full), right - .010 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .025, right - .027. Drop at heel: 2-11/16", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 13-3/4"(13-3/4" is the length of pull specified for Annie Oakley).
At the turn of the century, no other duo promoted "Wild West Entertainment" and exhibition shooting, more so than "Little Sure Shot", Annie Oakley, and her husband/manager Frank Butler. They met and began their lifelong personal and professional relationship after upstart 15 year old Annie defeated the seasoned Frank during a OH shooting competition in 1881. As a shooting team they used many Parker shotguns. Initially, during their 16 year tenure with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show through 1901, and afterwards conducting private exhibitions and demonstrations through the early 1920s. Parker factory records show no fewer than 27 guns ordered by and shipped to Frank Butler during this time, some orders noting "For Miss Annie". Each had their own order unique gun specifications based on their stature and shooting preferences. Annie preferred lighter guns with shorter stocks, Frank favored longer and more robust configurations.
Parker factory records indicate #95819 was ordered on April 9, 1900 and shipped May 26th to Frank E. Butler c/o The Buffalo Bill Show in Troy NY. According to Order Book 48 its specs were LOP 14-1/8", DAC 1-1/2", DAH 2-1/2"; Wt 7-1/2 lbs; Chokes Cyl/Full; Trigger Pull 3-1/2 & 4 lbs; Lyman sight and No Safety. These specs would mirror those for Frank Butler's use. The discrepancy between these original factory specs and those now observed were noted and discussed as early as August 1923 in an correspondence to Mr. E.F. Wagner from the Parker Gun Co. regarding the gun's shortening of the stock by 3/8" and its history. In 1923, the Butlers were seriously injured in an auto accident which greatly curtailed their shooting. Many of their working guns were sold off during their long recovery. It is believed that Wagner came into possession of #95819 during this time with twin ivory bead sights. It is very likely that the gun's alteration and shortening of the stock was done to accommodate Annie's shooting preference during period of use prior to 1923. PROVENANCE: Copies of 2002 & 2016 Parker Factory Letters stating configuration from Order book No. 48. Copy of 1923 dated correspondence on Parker letterhead inquiring about alteration and history of #95819. CONDITION: Fine, as refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a fine quality re-black. Action retains over 90% of a re-color, engraving considerably softened. Stocks retain nearly all of an oil refinish over some light scratches. Side panels and drop points have been built up with added wood and re-shaped Checkering recut. Bores are very fine, shiny throughout, with evidence of a few scattered pits. Action is tight. 50412-96 MGM119 (20,000-30,000)