The name Annie Oakley conjures up images of a gun-wheeling, thigh-slapping, buxom and brassy, trigger-happy, pony-riding cowgirl. That image is only partly right. Annie Oakley, born Phoebe Anne Moses on 13 August 1860, had a quiet and demure character – and a surprising story leading to her many great successes with firearms.
Despite Annie’s slight build, she had no problem spending most of her working day trapping and shooting with her muzzle-loader for game for the trading post. Annie’s first proper breechloader was a 16-bore hammer gun, providing quicker reloading in the field and allowing her to shoot more game. Annie’s shot game was highly sought after in hotels, as it was all shot in the head and there were never any complaints about shot in the cooked meat.