what ever happened to capt. Jay Banks stature
38/44 HD
- Thread starter Steve M.
- Start date
I am soooo busted!!! If I remember correctly, the old site got revamped and I couldn't get back. Smith revolvers and some of their autos are among the gems of my collection. I got to visit the factory while I was working and the feeling was quite overwhelming. I read the posts and gawk at the pics more than I post because I don't want y'all to think that I am smart or something. Being retired lets me be here more so stand by...
CptCurl
Member
If you would be interested to see some of the very earliest history of the 38/44 HD, you might want to look back at an older thread I started in 2019. There is a lot of information there; not only what I posted, but what was posted by other members.
Extremely Rare .38/44 HD Target Revolver.
Curly
Extremely Rare .38/44 HD Target Revolver.
Curly
I don't know what it is about the 38/44, but it seriously hits a nerve! Smith and Wesson made the Model 520 for the New York State Police. It looks to be a 30/44 HD in .357 Mag. You talk about a serious gunfightin' gun?!?!? That is it. I used to think that adjustable sights were required, until I learned that the gun would always shoot better than me. Now, I will take a fixed sight pistol over just about anything else. I have lots of pistols, but seem to keep returning to a Smith.
E. J. Banks and Bob Crowder in car with mobile phone. Banks also holds a Thompson machine gun. Front caption reads "Over". Reverse caption reads "Left to Right Ranger E.J. "Jay" Banks, Captain Robert A. "Bob" Crowder at Company "B" Texas Rangers Headquarters, Ranger circle, Dallas, Texas, 1951". Photo by Tom C. Dillard of the Dallas Morning News.
Highway Patrolman 1938-1947
Enlisted Company "B" Texas Rangers September 1, 1947
Promoted Sergeant September 1, 1955
Promoted Captain September 1, 1957
Resigned March 10, 1960
Served with the United States Coast Guard during WWII as an SP1. Served as a Texas Highway Patrolman for 9 years. Served as a Texas Ranger from September 1, 1947 until March 10, 1960. Retired at Captain of Company B. Served as Police Chief of Big Spring, Texas from 1960-1971. Then as Police Chief of Palestine and Gladewater, Tx.
Jay Banks was one of the best known Rangers of his time. He had gained national exposure and a bit of celebrity in 1956 when he appeared on national television on The Today Show, Name That Tune, and What’s My Line. In 1957, along with fellow Rangers Johnny Klevenhagen and Jim Ray, he had personally brought an end to the murderous career of the mad-dog killer Gene Paul Norris and his partner Bill Mumphrey. He was reportedly the model for the 'Texas Rangers of Today' statue that was installed at Love Field airport in Dallas in 1963. He passed away in 1987.
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DWalt
Member
I lived in Midland TX at two different times. Midland was the HQ location for Ranger Company E, which covered most of West Texas south of the panhandle, clear to El Paso. I saw Rangers fairly often, and it seemed to me that nearly every one of them carried a .45 GM. I believe a Ranger could carry about any sidearm he wanted at that time. I don't know what the situation is now. I left Midland in the early 90s.
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As I understand it, you are correct. They had great latitude in their choice of guns. It has only been since the 80's or so that lawsuits have forced them to issue, qualify and log what guns they use. How much latitude they have currently is probably from a department-approved list.
I got the factory letter back on her. She was part of a 12 gun shipment, 6 of which were 38/44s. The order went to a company in Dallas in June of 1949. The sad part of the letter was the $39.18 cost per gun. I am going to request more research to see if there is any provenance tying her to Capt,. Banks.
