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Doc proclaimed her an intellectual equal, Following the trial, Doc tried to keep Kate she was with Doc Holliday in Fly’s Boarding
although their relationship was volatile. Sadly, away from Tombstone. However, fiery and House near the O.K. Corral until shortly before
the constant fighting between the two almost stubborn as she was, Kate returned to his side the shooting and that she witnessed the shooting.
resulted in Doc’s downfall. during the final days before the shootout. Kate’s descriptions in this letter contain
After a particularly violent clash, enemies of Many reporters tried to ask Kate about her details that are consistent with the events
Doc in Tombstone, Arizona, manipulated Kate life with Doc Holliday and about the shooting at through historical research, so her statements are
into signing an affidavit implicating her partner the O.K. Corral, but since they didn’t want to considered credible.
in murder and attempted robbery. As a result, pay anything, the story goes, she kept their
Judge Wells Spicer immediately issued an arrest knowledge to herself. A letter she wrote in 1889
warrant for Doc Holliday. contained some clues. There, she describes that

FAMOUS COWGIRL ITEMS AT AUCTION

SHOTGUN BUILT FOR AND COLT MODEL 1878 REVOLVER WHERE IS ALL

GIFTED TO ANNIE OAKLEY ATTRIBUTED TO THE THE COWGIRL

BY LONDON GUNSMITH ROSE OF CIMARRON MEMORABILIA?

WOMEN WHO WON THE WEST

A Charles Lancaster Gunsmiths (London)
shotgun built for and gifted to Annie Oakley in
1888 and used by the exhibition shooting
legend during a significant period of her career
has sold for $258,000 at Morphy Auction’s
September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
auction. The gun was a favorite of Oakley’s.
Experts believe she used it at the legendary
Exposition Universelle (Paris Exposition) of
1889, where she appeared with Buffalo Bill’s A Colt Model 1878 Double Action
Wild West Show and wowed spectators with Revolver and Holster Attributed to the Rose of
her uncanny shooting expertise. Cimarron sold for $4,113 in 2017 at Cowan’s. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of
The 12-bore double-barreled hammerless The .45 caliber, 5.5" barrel length, S/N 7739 is Fame is located in Fort Worth, Texas, and is
model with 28-inch barrels was gifted to marked at the top of the barrel with a Colt the only museum in the world dedicated to
Oakley by Charles Lancaster himself, who Hartford address. Left side of the frame is honoring women of the West who came from
reportedly observed the petite sharpshooter at a period engraved in a circle with an image of a around the world to show extraordinary
gun club in England, struggling with a shotgun rose and “Rose of the Cimarron” in script. courage and a true pioneer spirit as they blazed
that appeared too heavy for her. On that across the West. The Hall of Fame honors and
occasion, Lancaster offered Oakley advice on celebrates women, past and present, whose
wingshooting and, at a later date, presented her BELLE STARR’S lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and
with four shotguns: two 20-bores and two independence that helped shape the West.
12-bores. The 12-bore in Morphy’s sale, Serial PEARL-HANDLED The Museum offers major exhibits and
No. 05970, conveyed to its new owner with a SMITH & WESSON .44 several galleries, including the Hitting the
2012 letter from Charles Lancaster Gunmakers Mark: Cowgirls and Wild West Shows gallery
Ltd, documenting its history and signed by the that shows rare artifacts, short films, and items
company’s director, Ronald Wharton. used and worn by performers. This area
displays the historical significance of the
cowgirls who performed in the Wild West
“CALAMITY JANE” CANARY: shows from the 1800s to the early 20th
century. The Museum also has several
HER PURPORTED PERSONAL exhibitions that are rented by other museums
WINCHESTER RIFLE to spread the story of the American Cowgirl.
For more information, visit their website at
www.cowgirl.net

A Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Belle Starr’s pearl-handled Smith &
rifle, manufactured in 1885 (Serial no. 54805, Wesson .44 caliber handgun was recently for
.45-60 W.C.F. caliber, 28-inch octagonal sale at Armslist.com for $25,000. This was the
barrel with fixed front sight) and purported to gun Belle was carrying when she was shot off
be “Calamity Jane’s” personal rifle, sold for her horse by a shotgun during an ambush.
$15,000 at Heritage Auctions in February Belle had the gun engraved with her name
2020. The Winchester can just be made out in followed by “I.T.” for “Indian Territory.” This
the photos of the display for the 1964 World’s gun was well documented with a provenance
Fair Exhibit standing on the left side along letter written by her attorney back in 1921. He
with her Kentucky rifle. owned the revolver for many years before Miranda Lambert being inducted into
passing it down. the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, 2021

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