The Case:
A contributor from Bath, Maine has an 1853 French Napoleon coin with a bent, split edge and a great bit of family lore: it's said that the coin was shot by Annie Oakley and that Annie herself gave the coin to two of the contributor's great-grand uncles.
It doesn't look like any of the souvenir coins the Wild West icon typically handed out to her many fans. Can we prove that the sharp-shooting star of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show shot up the coin for the two brothers - and turn family lore into bona fide bragging rights?
To find out, History Detectives conducts ballistics tests, scours the Buffalo Bill Historical Center archives and recreates one of Oakley's sure shots.
Related Content
Feature:
Video:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Related Investigation
Birthplace Of Hip Hop
Did this Bronx apartment building give birth to a culture that now spans the globe?
-
Also in Expansion: 1801-1861
Koranic School Book
Why does this 200 year old schoolbook contain two translated passages from the Koran?
-
Related Investigation
Mouse Toy
Could this tiny toy labeled 'Micky' be the original Mickey Mouse?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Bootlegger's Notebook
Does this book belong to a Prohibition era bootlegger?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
WPA Mural Studies
Are these unusual paintings part of the biggest job creation program in America's history?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Space Boot
What does this odd-looking boot have to do with America's first steps in space?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.