ElToro,

You are correct that he would be 40 at the time of joining the Sherman force. I don't have any other info at hand that would give any more information.

You are also correct that the officer on Grady Thompson's immediate left appears to be carrying a M1911. Another officer on the upper right corner of the photo is also carrying a M1911. Both are "cocked and locked".

I have no way of knowing for sure but I would not be surprised if both of those Colts were . 38 Super. The Super cartridge was introduced in 1929 and it was extremely popular with the police in the southwest. My wife's grandfather was a sheriff in another county in Texas in the '30's and we have his Colt .38 Super which was shipped to him from the factory.

(Those familiar with S&W history know that the popularity with law enforcement of the competition's .38 Super in the Colt M1911 gave a major impetus to S&W developing the .357 Magnum in 1935...about a year after these photos were taken.)

Bob