A rare and important Charles Lancaster Gunsmiths (London) shotgun built for Annie Oakley in 1888 and used by the exhibition shooting legend during a significant period of her career sold for $258,000 at Morphy Auctions. It was a top highlight of Morphys Sept. 5, 6, and 7 Firearms and Militaria Auction, offered during the opening session. The buyer is a private collector who wishes to remain anonymous. The 12-bore double-barreled hammerless model with 28-inch barrels was gifted to Oakley by Charles Lancaster himself, who reportedly observed the petite sharpshooter at a gun club in England struggling with a shotgun that appeared too heavy for her. On that occasion, Lancaster offered Oakley advice on wingshooting and, at a later date, presented her with four shotguns: two 20-bores and two 12-bores. The 12-bore in Morphys sale, Serial No. 05970, conveyed to its new owner with a 2012 letter from Charles Lancaster Gunmakers Ltd. documenting its history and signed by the companys director, Ronald Wharton. This was a very special Annie Oakley gun in that it was known to be one of her favorite and, therefore, most-used guns. Its well known that she cared much more about the reliability and quality of her guns than their artistic appearance or factory engraving. Its evident from the guns numerous old repairs that Annie preferred to have it refitted and maintained than to replace it with any of the numerous other guns she had received over the years, commented Morphy Auctions president, Dan Morphy. Experts believe it is very likely that Oakley used the shotgun at the legendary Exposition Universelle (Paris Exposition) of 1889, where she appeared with Buffalo Bills Wild West Show and wowed spectators with her uncanny shooting expertise. To learn more, visit www.morphyauctions.com. Images courtesy of Morphy Auctions.