Annie Oakley's 16-gauge Parker Brothers Hammer shotgun (courtesy Heritage Auctions)

Trick shot artist Kirsten Joy Weiss recently journeyed to Red’s Indoor Range in Pflugerville (a.k.a., “the toilet”) to test three Henry rifles. The 2012 NRA Women’s shooting champ is looking to apply her mad skillz to a traditional lever gun. The experience gave KJW some insight into Annie Oakley’s accomplishments. “That woman was good,” Kirsten pronounced over a glass of Alan Brooks’ much-appreciated mead. Speaking of appreciation, is this the same gun that sold in June 2012 for $143k? In any case, I wonder if Annie Oakley’s grandniece knew that the 16-Gauge Parker Brothers Hammer shotgun would fetch $293K. usnews.nbc.com reports that Heritage Auctions sold the shottie to an unidentified telephone buyer along with documents affirming the gun’s provenance. And no I didn’t buy it.

10 COMMENTS

  1. Yes she could shoot, but she also had one helluva life. Worth reading Little Sure Shots biography. PBS American Experience did a great episode on her. Check out your local library for either.

  2. 16 ga. double. As a youngster I thought the 16 ga. was just about perfect with the exception of long range waterfowl. Unfortunately, the 16 ga. fell by the wayside.

  3. As far as I know, this gun was a G grade Parker, Damascus barrels as well as a hammer gun.

    A similar Parker, in good shape, without this provenance might go… oh, I don’t know. Maybe $5K if the color casing is good on the lockwork and there’s still some pattern visible on the barrels.

  4. I really, really hate Red’s in Austin. Hate it.

    I don’t think they hire many people who don’t have an attitude or are actually knowledgeable.

    I’ve been yelled at for shooting a FiveSeven on the rifle lanes and I’ve been yelled at for shooting the same gun on the pistol lanes.

    Just a few days ago, I got yelled at for shooting an AR pistol on the pistol lanes when a year ago they made a big deal out of the fact that it’s a pistol so it has to be shot on the pistol lanes (like Eagle Peak).

    I’ve gotten attitude for ordering guns online even though Red’s makes 50 dollars off a phone call if I do so…

    A guy working there 3 weeks ago said that you can’t make an AR pistol out of a stripped receiver unless it has “pistol” engraved on it…

    I’ve seen female gun buyers talked down to…

    Red’s is like a gun store stereotype. I hate the place.

Comments are closed.