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
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Muhlenberg Robe
Was this robe torn off during a fiery sermon to rally congregants to the cause of the Revolutionary War?
-
Related Investigation
Broadway Ballet Shoes
Did this dancer's great-great-grandfather teach Salvatore Capezio to make ballet shoes?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Ronald McDonald Costume
Is this the costume that helped serve up a billion Happy Meals?
-
Related Investigation
Lubin Photos
What do these photo albums reveal about the birth of the silver screen?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Mouse Toy
Could this tiny toy labeled 'Micky' be the original Mickey Mouse?
-
Also in Season 6
Black Tom Shell
Is this shell from a devastating act of foreign sabotage on American soil?
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.