Exhibition Shooter “Wild Burt” Engraved Model 1897 Lever-Action Rifle

23-68
Cal. 22 S, L, LR
S# 219584

Herbert “Wild Burt” Williams was an expert rifle & pistol shot who performed with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. He was known for defeating Annie Oakley in a shooting match at the St. Louis World’s Fair. His performances included shooting firecrackers from the mouth of his wife who performed under the name “Little Sure Shot”. Scarce rifle with uncheckered forearm & “S” curved pistol grip stock of fancy bird’s eye maple. Nickel finished action has number 1 engraving. Left side viginette depicts a woodland scene with a white tail buck surrounded by arabesque scroll with straight line & zigzag borders that continue to right side of action as well as upper & lower surfaces. Crescent steel buttplate & forearm cap are nickel finished to compliment the action. Bbl. 24” octagon with a full length mag. tube & blue finish. Lyman bead front sight with semi buckhorn V notch sporting rear sight. Viginette on left side of action has added initials that appear to be “LFW”.

UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a Marlin Fire Arms Company letter dated Feb 26, 1993 listing the following information for this rifle; “Model 1897”, “22 Caliber”, “24-inch, octagon barrel”, “Pistol grip”, “Shipped from the warehouse on March 4, 1901”, and “Returned and repaired on September 25, 1905, and on June 30, 1925”. Also included is a binder with numerous pages of information, photos & reprinted newspaper articles about “Wild Burt”, & information on other firearms that he owned.

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