The Most Famous Female Gunslinger, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the female gunslinger you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 2, 2024 07:05

In the rugged drama of the Wild West, the tales of female gunslingers have often been overshadowed by their male counterparts. Yet, these daring women were just as formidable, navigating the complexities of frontier life with unrivaled skill and courage. Highlighting their achievements not only corrects historical oversight but enriches the tapestry of Wild West legends. By ranking these iconic figures, we invite you to contribute your opinion and acknowledge their remarkable contributions to history. This dynamic ranking adjusts with each vote cast, reflecting real-time shifts in public perception and interest. Your participation ensures that these storied adventurers receive the recognition they rightfully deserve.

Who Is the Most Famous Female Gunslinger?

1

100
votes
H. R. Locke · Public domain

Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane is arguably the most well-known female gunslinger, she was a frontierswoman who became known for her sharpshooting skills and adventurous spirit. She also worked as a scout for the US Army and was a friend of Wild Bill Hickok.
Calamity Jane is a legendary figure from the American Old West, often depicted as a Wild West heroine. She is celebrated as a frontier woman, an expert markswoman, and a resourceful adventurer. The character of Calamity Jane has become a part of popular culture, appearing in numerous books, movies, and folklore tales.

Nickname: Calamity Jane

Occupation: Frontierswoman

Notable Skills: Marksmanship, horse riding, tracking

Adventure Stories: Acts of bravery in wild west settings

Mythical Reputation: Exaggerated tales of daring and heroism
Calamity Jane in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous cowgirl
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular tall tale
2

25
votes
Wolfgang Sauber · CC BY-SA 3.0

Belle Starr

Belle Starr is known as the "Bandit Queen", she was a notorious outlaw in the late 1800s who ran with the James-Younger gang and was involved in several robberies and murders. She was also known for her love affairs and flamboyant style.
Belle Starr in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous female assassin
3

23
votes

Unknown, published by S.J. Clarke Publishing Company · Public domain

Pearl Hart

Pearl Hart is a Canadian-born outlaw who became famous for robbing a stagecoach in Arizona in 1899. She dressed in men's clothing and was known for her quick wit and daring escapes.
4

27
votes
Baker's Art Gallery, Columbus, Ohio · Public domain

Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley is a sharpshooter and performer who toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in the late 1800s. She was known for her incredible marksmanship and became a symbol of female empowerment.
Annie Oakley in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous cowgirl
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous trick rider
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Annie
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous tomboy
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous hunter
5

10
votes

Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Etta Place

Etta Place is a mysterious figure who was the girlfriend of infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy. She was rumored to have participated in several robberies with the Wild Bunch gang and may have even escaped to South America with Cassidy.
6

18
votes

C. M. Stieglitz, World Telegram staff photographer · Public domain

Lillian Smith

Lillian Smith is a sharpshooter and performer who toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in the early 1900s. She was known for her incredible accuracy and was one of the few female sharpshooters to perform in the show.
7

5
votes

H. R. Locke · Public domain

Martha Jane Cannary

Martha Jane Cannary is also known as "Calamity Jane", she was a frontierswoman and sharpshooter who became famous for her exploits in the Wild West. She worked as a scout for the US Army and was a friend of Wild Bill Hickok.
8

9
votes

Cattle Annie

Cattle Annie is a teenage girl who became an outlaw in Oklahoma in the early 1900s. She was known for her daring escapes and was rumored to have ridden with the Doolin-Dalton gang.
9

6
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Mary Fields

Mary Fields is also known as "Stagecoach Mary", she was a former slave who became the first African American woman to work for the US Postal Service. She was also a skilled sharpshooter and became a beloved figure in her community in Montana.
Mary Fields in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous Black cowboy
10

7
votes

Sally Skull

Sally Skull is a Texas outlaw who was known for her sharpshooting skills and fearless nature. She was involved in several robberies and may have even killed a man in self-defense.

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Ranking factors for famous female gunslinger

Skill with a gun

The ability to handle and shoot a firearm with accuracy.
Notoriety and publicity

The level of fame and recognition the female gunslinger has garnered over time.
Historical significance

The impact or influence the female gunslinger had during her era and beyond.
Accomplishments and achievements

Any notable feats or accomplishments achieved by the female gunslinger.
Cultural impact

How the female gunslinger has been portrayed in movies, television, and popular culture.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous female gunslinger. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or gunslingerette is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2949 views
220 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each gunslingerette once every 24 hours. The rank of each gunslingerette is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous female gunslinger

In the wild west, gunslingers were known for their quick draw and sharpshooting skills. While male gunslingers like Billy the Kid and Jesse James are often the focus of western folklore, there were also a handful of female gunslingers who made a name for themselves during this era. These women were just as tough as their male counterparts and proved that they were just as skilled with a gun. From Belle Starr to Calamity Jane, there were many famous female gunslingers who left their mark on the history of the wild west. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most famous female gunslingers and explore their fascinating stories.