Annie and Frank Butler

[Pa SxS]

I just did a research letter for a gentleman who was researching a Parker DH that he claimed belonged to Frank Butler and that Frank gave this gun to Allan Betts just before Frank died. There is a newspaper article documenting this but the S/N was not given so it is just his belief that this DH is the one. The Butler's and Betts's were friends in NJ. Dr. Edwin Betts and his son Dr. Allan Betts were both Dentists. Also documented is that Annie taught Allan Betts how to shoot at a young age.

This gentleman who requested the letter also wrote a lengthy booklet documenting all this. Included were photographs of Frank and Annie Butler and I thought I'd post the pictures for you to see.

I don't recall ever seeing the picture of the young Frank Butler or the picture of the old Annie and Frank. Take note of Annie's hat and compare it to the picture in TPS, page (638) of Annie shooting the Parker SBT. Looks like the same hat but different dress!

[MarketHunter]

Did the gun in fact belong to Butler?

[Pa SxS]

The gun was originally sold to a guy in Canada. A few years later, the gun was returned by the Charles Parker store in NYC to fit a pair of v
Vulcan barrels and marked to J.P. Dannelsfeser on Chambers St. NY. The last entry for this gun has it being sent to Parker for some minor repair by Frank Butler and returned c/o Dr Betts in NJ. It could have been owned by Frank and maybe because he was traveling, sent to Betts till Frank returned home or, it could have been owned by Betts and Frank may have offered to send it to Parker for Betts since Frank had many dealings with Parker. We don't know without the S/N if the researched gun is the one given to Allan Betts by Frank Butler.

[Drew Hause]

Annie's Ideal grade 12g Smith SN FW91,746 was shipped June 4, 1926 to J.P. Dannefelser. He was then at 19 Warren, having moved from Chambers St.

Prior to 1916 the Parker NYC showroom was on Warren, then at 25 Murray St.

[Setter Man]

For years (decades) I drove by the cemetery containing the Oakley/Butler graves without knowing they were there. I visited the cemetery a few years ago to "pay my respects." The cemetery is located in the northwest corner of Darke County, a few miles from the Indiana/Ohio line. Annie's homestead was located somewhere nearby but the exact location is unknown.

[Mike Franzen]

How old were they in the “old age” photo? To me, they both have a certain street wise look.

[Dean Romig]

Annie was born in 1860 and died in 1926 so that makes her 66 when she died.... funny, they look older than that.





.

[Pa SxS]

The picture of Annie in TPS with the SBT says it was taken in 1925 at 65 years old if that year is accurate. She died in November 1926 and Frank died a few days later. My guess is that the picture I posted was taken about 1925. She didn't age well but she was a pretty women in her younger days.

Drew, are you saying that the Smith was shipped to her via Dannelfelser as new or that she may have sent the gun to Dannelfelser on June 4, 1926 for some reason such as to sell or repair? Seems strange that she would order a new gun at her age with her medical condition.

[Drew Hause]

Between 1914 and 1922, Annie gave exhibitions and taught shooting at Pinehurst during the winter. Annie and Frank Butler were in a automobile accident in 1921, and she wore a steel brace on her right leg thereafter, and she was unlikely to have been able to quail hunt. No record of the gun she is holding here



The Hunter Arms shipping ledger shows her name (not Frank Butler) with the 12g 1926 Ideal; unfortunately there are no dimensions recorded -
feather-weight (no options)
started March 25, 1926
proofed and patterned May 20, 1926
finished June 4, 1926
shipped June 4, 1926 to J.P. Dannenfelser

Of course, it may have been ordered as a gift for someone.

[Setter Man]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Annie was born in 1860 and died in 1926 so that makes her 66 when she died.... funny, they look older than that.





.

I think you will find that the case with everybody back then.