For Aspenhill

[lawandorder]

In 1937 the Arkansas State Rangers changed to the Arkansas State Police, and increased their strength from 13 to 50 Officers.

They also transitioned from their Colt's 1911A1s in .38 Super to the Smith & Wesson Heavy Duty, 38-44s with a 5 inch barrel, and a lanyard ring. The initial order in 1937 was for 50 of these .38 Special revolvers with "Arkansas State Police" factory marked on the backstrap.Later orders were for 4 inch versions and the lanyard ring was dropped. The HD remained in service until apx. 1968.

In the 1950s a young Trooper was visiting with some musicians who were passing through town and had stopped for a cup of Joe. The lead singer of the group was interested in guns and wanted to see the Trooper's service revolver.Some one had a camera and captured this moment in the history of the HD.

 

[bettis1]

Great info and picture, Tony!

Elvis? And is that Howard Cosell behind him?

Bob

 

[handejector]

I said DON'T step on my blue suede shoes!

 

[woodsltc]

Great info and picture, Tony!

Elvis? And is that Howard Cosell behind him?

Bob

Good catch on spotting Cosell behind Elvis!!

Don

 

[wbraswell]

Would any of us be shocked if Bill actually has this gun? If not, he probably knows where it is. Just a hunka, hunka powder burning love.

 

[1Aspenhill]

Thanks Tony- I think I see Bob Bettis in that picture! I think Tony has the gun to go with the picture. I only have one serial number for an ARK State Police HDs. Great publicity for the HD!
Bill

 

[bettis1]

Bill,

Shhhhhh (Ed will be jealous.)

Bob

 

[tops]

Can you imagine the trouble the people would be in if a picture like that was made today?

 

[P&R Fan]

Can you imagine the trouble the people would be in if a picture like that was made today?

No trouble at all.
Notice he's following rule #3. Finger is not on trigger.
Jim

 

[glowe]

I might have spotted Buddy Holly in the back!!

 

[handejector]

I'm gittin REAL tired of waitin' on that bananner sammich....

 

[lawandorder]

Unfortunately Bill my 5 inch from 1937 is now part of the Old State House Museum. I guess it is appropriate as that building was the first HDQS of the Rangers. There should be 49 others out there, lets find us one apiece.

 

[410bore]

I'm all shook up!

 

[1Aspenhill]

Tony,
Do you have the serial numbers for the other 49?
Bill

 

[LeBur]

Have any idea who the Trooper is, Tony?

 

[Danny Abernathy]

Actually, I think that is Scotty Moore behind Elvis. He was Elvis's guitar player forever, he does resemble Howard!

 

[lawandorder]

The Trooper & The Old State House Museum

I sent LeBur a PM id ing the Trooper but then thought someone else might be interested, His name is Kenneth McKee who retired from ASP as a Major and later served as Sheriff of Washington County Arkansas.

An old HD and many other artifacts of crime & law enforcement can be viewed at the folllowing web site,

View Our Collection Online | Old State House Museum of Arkansas History

On the left side of the page hit e-museum, then agree, then collections, and then "Badges, Bandits, & Bars", and you will see some 40 pages of artifacts from an exibit the OSHM recently did on outlaws and lawmen in Arkansas.