Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Annie Oakley?

by
posted on November 27, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
annie-oakley1.jpg

Annie Oakley (1860-1926) was the greatest, most famous exhibition shooter in American history. But what do you know about this prim, proper and petite lady who could shoot a gun better than any man? Take our 10-question quiz to find out. But be careful, you just might learn something—and have some fun doing it, too!

Annie Oakley

 
1.   Where was Annie Oakley born?
      a.  Darke County, Ohio
      b.  Darke County, Indiana
      c.  Darke County, Illinois
      d.  Darke County, Iowa
 
2.   Before adopting her stage name of Annie Oakley, what was Annie’s real name?
      a.  Phoebe Ann Oakley
      b.  Phoebe Ann Mosey
      c.  Bono
      d.  Madonna
 
3.   How did Annie Oakley meet her future husband and manager, Frank Butler?
      a.  While competing against him in a watermelon-eating contest
      b.  While competing against him in a dance contest
      c.  While competing against him in a shooting contest
      d.  The couple met at a church ice cream social
 
4.   For years, Annie Oakley traveled both North America and Europe demonstrating her shooting prowess with what show?
      a.  Barnum & Bailey Circus
      b.  New York Metropolitan Opera
      c.  Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
      d.  At times, all of the above
 
5.   During her public shooting demonstrations, Annie always wore knee-length skirts over leggings and had her hair down. How did she obtain her costumes?
      a.  Her husband Frank purchased them for her
      b.  She sewed them herself
      c.  The outfitter Abercrombie & Fitch of New York City provided them
      d.  None of the above
 
6.   Annie Oakley performed using what firearm during her shooting exhibitions?
      a.  Handgun
      b.  Rifle
      c.  Shotgun
      d.  All of the above
 
7.   Annie Oakley performed which of the following shooting tricks for audiences?
      a.  Shooting an apple off her pet dog’s head
      b.  Shooting over her shoulder by using the blade of a Bowie knife as a mirror and splitting a playing card held in Frank’s hand
      c.  Shooting while standing on a galloping horse
      d.  Shooting double targets while riding a bicycle
      e.  Shooting flames off candles as they rotated on a wheel
      f.   Individually shattering six thrown glass targets in the air before they could hit the ground
      g.  All of the above
 
8.   What famous Indian chief nicknamed Annie Oakley “Little Sure Shot”?
      a.  Tecumseh
      b.  Crazy Horse
      c.  Sitting Bull
      d.  Red Cloud
 
9.   At the age of 65, one of Annie Oakley’s last public appearances was at the Grand American National Trapshooting Championships at Vandalia, OH, in 1925. A local newspaper report following the event described Annie as still having all her…?”
      a.  Wits about her
      b.  Ever-present smile
      c.  Teeth
      d.  All of the above
 
10.   Shooters today still visit Annie Oakley’s grave located in the small Brock Cemetery in Darke County, OH. When doing so, they often leave what item atop her gravestone?
       a.  An empty .22 shell casing
       b.  A clay target
       c.  A penny
       d.  All of the above


Quiz Answers

  1.  a.  Darke County, Ohio
  2.  b.  Phoebe Ann Mosey
  3.  c.  While competing against him in a shooting contest
  4.  c.  Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
  5.  b.  She sewed them herself
  6.  d.  All of the above
  7.  g.  All of the above
  8.  c.  Sitting Bull
  9.  c.  Teeth
  10.  c.  A penny (During her shows Annie would shoot a penny or sometimes even a dime out of Frank’s fingers. Don’t try that at home!)


Grade Card

Well, how did you do? The quiz wasn’t easy, was it?
  • Zero to five answers correct = C
  • Six to eight answers correct = B
  • Nine to 10 answers correct = A


Have you ever considered becoming an exhibition shooter yourself someday?


More quizzes:

Latest

2025 Ariz 3Pairrifle 2
2025 Ariz 3Pairrifle 2

Arizona Youth Marksmen Shine at 2025 NRA Youth Air Rifle 3-P State Championship

Arizona’s top JROTC air rifle cadets delivered standout performances at the 2025–2026 NRA Youth Air Rifle 3-P State Championship.

Real Avid Bundles Pistol Maintenance Into Four Comprehensive Master Collections

Real Avid’s Master Pistol Collections combine cleaning supplies and specialized tools into four kits aimed at simplifying handgun maintenance across platforms.

New: Banish 556 Suppressor

A new 5.56 mm NATO/.223 Rem. suppressor pairs 3D-printed Inconel with helical gas flow to reduce back pressure on AR-pattern rifles.

New: TAG Precision FiberLok SG Pro Shotgun Sight

TAG Precision introduces the FiberLok SG Pro shotgun sight, a steel, fiber-optic front sight built to stay put under recoil and keep a clear sight picture.

Review: Leapers UTG Pro P.O.I. Service Rifle Mount

Field Editor Art Merrill’s review of UTG’s new 34 mm Service Rifle mount, highlighting its locking-bar design and confidence-inspiring rigidity.

Camdyn Powers Shines in a Breakout 2025 Precision Shooting Season

Camdyn Powers crushed 2025, claiming seven first-place finishes, a national finale berth and the IPRF Rimfire World Championship for Team USA.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.