November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2021
Annie Oakley (Phoebe Ann Moses) August 13, 1860 - November 3, 1926 was by all accounts the most famous and gifted exhibition shooter in American history. Performing in William F. Cody's "Buffalo Bill" Wild West Show from 1885 to 1902, Annie Oakley was star of the show and an international sensation. Curtis Liston first saw Annie Oakley in 1898 when he was 18 years old. Annie was performing with the Wild West Show in Liston's hometown, Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Curtis Liston was mesmerized by Annie's performance and remarkable feats of marksmanship. Liston recalls the experience in a September 16, 1956 interview saying "I watched her shooting, and it set me on fire!" "I went away from there filled with desire to shoot like that, though I was only a youngster then". Liston went on to win the National Rifle Championship twelve years later, held in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in 1910. He was asked that same year to join Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show as an exhibition shooter. During the year of 1911 Annie Oakley came out of retirement to join a new Wild West Show named "Young Buffalo Wild West" along with co-performer Curtis Liston. Annie Oakley and Curtis became fast friends as in July of that year Annie gifted one of her exhibition guns, Smith & Wesson Military & Police revolver serial number 115154 to Liston. A few years later in 1918 Annie gave Liston his prize possession, a 20 gauge Parker Shotgun, serial number 181313 as a Christmas gift. Stated in Liston's January 18, 1961 obituary is the following: "Mr. Liston gained fame for his expert marksmanship, having won the world championship rifle and hand-gun competition in Pittsburgh in 1910. Considered the best male shot in the world in his time, he traveled for several years with Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. He was closely associated with the late Annie Oakley while with the performers and worked with her in trick shooting exhibitions. Among his trophies for shooting feats, Mr. Liston claimed as his most prized possession a 20-gauge shotgun given as a Christmas gift with an inlaid gold plate engraved "To Curtis Liston from Annie Oakley". It is interesting to note this very shotgun sold at auction on June 11, 2016 fetching the handsome sum of $195,500.00 Being offered in this lot is Smith & Wesson Military & Police double action revolver, serial number 115154 gifted to Curtis Liston by Annie Oakley. Blue with case hardened hammer and trigger. 6 - 1/2" barrel, chambered in .38 S&W Special cartridge. 2-piece checkered walnut grips. Adjustable rear target and patridge style front sights. Accompanying the revolver is the original notarized bill of sale of the revolver to C.R. Boone on July 22, 1955. Also included is an original signed letter from Curtis Liston documenting his trading the revolver to Boone for a "Deer rifle". C.R. Boone sold the revolver to the current owner's family on April 9, 1956. Revolver is well documented and comes housed in a contemporary French fitted cherry wood deluxe case. CONDITION: Very fine overall with 80-85% plus original bright blue remaining. Bore is bright and clean. Action is tight and crisp. Grips show moderate wear. MKS
Item Dimensions: Box 14" x 8" x 2 - 1/2"