choosing a smith and wesson revolver for a texas ranger

[mg357]

i am an amateur writer writing a book about a texas ranger and i am in need of help in finding a revolver to arm him with the story takes place in 1880 any and all help would be greatly appreciated sincerely mg357 a very proud member of the smith and wesson forum

 

[semperfi71]

I will try to help but you might get differing opinions from mine.

By the time period you describe, according to most photographic and written evidence I have seen [a lot but not a LOT] most Texas Rangers carried a 4 3/4 inch barreled Colt Single Action.

I had even read once whereby when John Wesley Hardin was captured aboard the train he recognized the Texas Rangers who did the deed by their handguns they pulled out as they approached him. According to the story I read he said, "Texas by God!"

As a backup gun there are a few photos with Texas Rangers carrying Colt Lightnings in .38 Colt or Thunderers in .41 Colt. This was a double-action revolver.

Good luck with your story.

 

[Glock 'em down]

I'd arm him with a 5 inch Schofield, a Winchester 76 and a Colt 1878 coach gun.

 

[opoefc]

mg357, Why not go to the experts? Contact the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, TX., They have lots of photos & records of Rangers in the 1880s, which show them with various sidearms. Take your pick. Good Luck, Ed.

 

[sheriffoconee]

mg357, Why not go to the experts? Contact the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, TX., They have lots of photos & records of Rangers in the 1880s, which show them with various sidearms. Take your pick. Good Luck, Ed.

THIS is it......
The Rangers would likely be glad to help...

 

[Guero]

choosing a smith and wesson revolver for a Texas Ranger

The best advice I can give you is to look at the evidence. See if you can find a book called A Pictorial History of the Texas Rangers by Charles Schreiner. Schreiner was an advanced gun collector and produced a book that is relatively scarce today that covers the guns of a number of 19th and 20th century Rangers. Besides the great guns, it includes pictures of gear, from saddles to the gourd canteens that were seen and you can get a good view of the clothing used by the Rangers. Also there is a brief overview of badges.
Keep in mind that there were no standard badges issued during the period of time you are writing about. Another good source is Colts from Texas and the Old West by Jerry Hemphill. Again, a scarce book but something that can be attained through inter library loan.
Two from your time period that are easier to find are Captain John H. Rogers, Texas Ranger by Paul Spellman and John B. Armstrong by Chuck Parsons. Armstrong was the man who brought back John Wesley Hardin from Florida.
One thing you will find: there were few Smith and Wessons in the Frontier Battalion.