[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]
Archaeo - Histories @archeohistories on x 556.7K followers
Created: 2025-07-23 16:06:09 UTC
A vintage portrait of Annie Oakley, renowned American sharpshooter and performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show...
Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Moses in 1860) rose from humble beginnings to become a global superstar known for her incredible accuracy and shooting skills. She gained international fame as a key performer in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, showcasing her talents to audiences worldwide, including European royalty.
Oakley was famous for impressive feats of sharpshooting, such as shooting the ashes off a cigarette held in her partner Frank Butler's mouth or hitting a ball before it touched the ground. Despite excelling in a male-dominated sport, she maintained a refined image and advocated for causes like poverty and women's education, though she did not align with the feminist movement of her time.
Around 1899, Annie Oakley—already a legendary markswoman by then—was captured performing one of her most famous and astonishing tricks: shooting over her shoulder using a hand mirror. With poise, precision, and nerves of steel, Oakley would stand with her back to the target, lift a small mirror in one hand to see behind her, and fire a shot—often splitting a playing card or striking a distant bullseye. It was a feat that not only demonstrated her unmatched skill but also captivated audiences across America and Europe who had never seen such finesse and control with a firearm.
By the time this photograph was taken, Oakley was at the height of her fame, performing with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. She had already earned the nickname “Little Sure Shot” from Sitting Bull, the Lakota leader who deeply admired her talent and spirit. Her routine defied expectations of what a woman could do in the male-dominated world of sharpshooting and frontier showmanship. Dressed in her signature fringed dress and often adorned with medals, Oakley turned the act of shooting into a graceful and theatrical art form, helping transform Wild West shows into a global sensation.
This over-the-shoulder shot became one of the defining images of Annie Oakley’s legacy—a blend of elegance, daring, and technical brilliance. It spoke to more than just her marksmanship; it symbolized her independence, her refusal to be underestimated, and her role in breaking barriers for women in sport and entertainment. Even over a century later, the image remains iconic—a testament to a woman who, with a rifle and a mirror, rewrote the rules of the game.
© Old Historical Photos
#archaeohistories
XXXXX engagements
