A special exhibition on view in our Cody Firearms Museum
This exhibition is a companion to another one at the Center, Advertising the Frontier Myth: Poster Art of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, which features posters from the Jack Rennert Collection, acquired through the generosity of the Hal R. and Naoma J. Tate Foundation, as well as works from the Center of the West’s own unrivalled holdings.
Firearms played a key role in Buffalo Bill's Wild West
William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s performances used firearms to tell stories and wow audiences with shooting feats. The guns shown in this exhibit are tied to individuals that participated in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West or performed in similar shows on their own. For more on William F. Cody, his Wild West, or stories of the people featured here, make sure to visit our Buffalo Bill Museum. And, once it opens on May 18, the special exhibition Advertising the Frontier Myth: Poster Art of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West.
A few exhibition highlights
William F. Cody
Buffalo Bill originally owned a pair of Colt Frontier revolvers that he gave to William F. Schneider in 1890. Cody rarely used pistols during arena performances but was often photographed with revolvers, and, in most instances, he is pictured wearing pistols “cross-draw,” the preferred method of his friend Wild Bill Hickok. In the image at left, his hand is on a revolver in a “cavalry draw,” where a pistol worn butt-forward was drawn with the same side hand.
Photo Portrait of William F. Cody, undated. MS 6 William F. Cody Collection, McCracken Research Library. P.69.0030
Pair of Frontier Six Shooter Revolvers, 1880, (Colt Single Actions) Colt (Hartford, CT), .44-40, Serial #s 54057 & 54070. Mary Jester Allen Collection. 1.69.2642 & 2643
Winchester Model 1873 Rifle, 1906, (New Haven, CT), .44-40, Serial #607678. Museum Purchase, Garlow Collection. 1.69.1237
Annie Oakley’s Smith & Wesson Model No. 2, Third Model Revolver (Springfield, MA), Serial #3653. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William Self. 1.69.2782
Annie Oakley
Annie Oakley used a wide variety of firearms throughout her shooting career.
The Belgian-made Francotte was built to order for Oakley and imported by the then well-known firm of Von Lengerke & Detmold based in New York City.
Photo Portrait of Annie Oakley, undated. MS 6 William F. Cody Collection, McCracken Research Library. P.69.1192
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show advertising poster featuring an illustration of Johnny Baker. Baker P.6.1505
Johnnie Baker
Johnny Baker famously shot from a variety of positions, even upside down, during his performances.
Winchester inscribed this 1897 at the factory with Baker’s name on the receiver.
Johnny Baker’s Winchester Model 1897, ca. 1902 (New Haven, CT), .16 gauge, Serial #190092. Museum Purchase. 1.69.365
Johnny Baker posing upside down with shotgun. MS 71 Vincent Mercaldo Collection. P.71.34
Related exhibition
Advertising the Frontier Myth: Poster Art of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
On view in our Anne & Charles Duncan Special Exhibition Gallery through October 24, 2024.
Related exhibition
Best Seats on the Grounds: Behind the Scenes of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
On view in our Shiebler Family Library Gallery.
