Reg Mag #1158 Letter and Docs Arrived (LEO History) Grip Suggestions? Post 9

[quinn]

I posted about this Texas Ranger owned RM the day I received it which ws the day before I left on a 4 week trip. I sent in for the Historical Foundation "deep dive" that evening. I am posting a photo from the seller's site... more to come later. Interestingly, Collectors Firarms of Houston is still listing this gun as avaiable.

This RM shows it's history. Harrel shortened, non factory refinish, and latter grips. However the action is tight and smooth.

After his time in New Mexico as a big game hunter and guide, Van Zandt returned to law enforcement starting with the OSS during the war.

The SWHF package includes letters from DB Wesson and from Van Zandt, order and shipping pages. Interesting that this was sighted in at 50 yards, dead center, and magnum rounds.

 

[22hipower]

Great post and great gun Quinn. Having that provenance makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing that great story. Wonder if Rufus came from the same family for which Van Zandt County was named?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Kansasgunner]

Very cool old revolver with a great history!
Congratulations

 

[DARE]

Thanks for sharing, Randy. Nice gun and amazing provenance.

Here is my Registered Magnum #657 once owned by Texas lawman James C. (Doc) White.
Doc also spent some time with the Rangers.

 

[mh51]

Outstanding find, Randy! Some of those old lawmen were as hard as the men they chased.

 

[Truckman]

I keep thinking I'll sneak up on a gun like that somewhere...Maybe I should visit Collectors sometime in the near future......Ben

 

[quinn]

I keep thinking I'll sneak up on a gun like that somewhere...Maybe I should visit Collectors sometime in the near future......Ben

Ben, from what I have been able to determine, they had the gun on their web site and GI for at least 3 months before I sprung. And, that was about the save time after Roy listed it as "contact me" when the SWCA data base requested a ship date. Fortunatelyy for me that connection was missed at the time.

 

[AlHunt]

I appreciate those of you who take the time to document and post detailed posts about these interesting guns and the people who owned them. A nostalgic look back at things and times that will never happen again.

Thank you.

 

[quinn]

I spent this weekend at the Tulsa show looking for appropriate grips for this gun but could not come up with anything that felt appropriate. Van Zandt was Army chasing Pancho Villa, then Army in Europe douring WWI, then Texas Ranger, then Prohibition agent, then big game guide (when he purchased the RM), then OSS during WWII. Later rtired and became a local fixture in Bonham, TX.

The gun shipped with 2 sets of grips and a grip adapter. So, over the years what would Rufus have settled on? Factory original? Stag? Steerhead MOP? Ropers? Maybe different grips at different times?

Any thoughts?

 

[DARE]

Since the gun was shipped with service stocks and Magna stocks I would go with one of those.
Interesting to me that your guy retired in Bonham.
I live in Sherman. Bonham is 28 miles east of me.
Hall of Fame baseball player Joe Morgan was also from Bonham.

 

[RKmesa]

Randy:

That is a fun gun!!! Does it have any factory re-work stamps (e.g. dates on the frame, stars, diamonds)?

A few observations: The work on the barrel shortening looks very well done, but the front sight pin (holding the sight to the rib) is much larger than normal. Also the hammer does not appear to have the concentric grooves of an RM hammer (that could be the light and the photo).

Grips: Since it has been refinished, to me anything goes. You cannot go wrong with a set of KB Ropers, Kearsarges or any of his repro magna or service stocks. Also, finding a nice set of pre-war factory service stocks would be easier than finding a nice set of pre-war factory magnas. But as you well know, the hunt is a BIG part of the fun of collecting.

Congrats once again! A nice addition to your collection.

 

[mtgianni]

The question I have is why was his obituary published in the G Falls Tribune? I can't see a link with his service there unless it was something to do with a family member living there or the AF base. Neither of those things are found in the articles. Is there a clue to that in the G Falls obit? The Montanan in me is curios.

Also what a great looking piece of history.

 

[lestert357]

I watched that gun listing for months and even submitted the ship date request you mentioned. After Roy responded suggesting I contact him, I sent him an email but did not hear back, and I didn't follow-up with a call.

I wonder what Ranger Van Zandt had in mind when he ordered the original 8-3/4" barrel. I also think it is interesting that the original King Ramp Reflector Red Bead front sight configuration was retained when the barrel was shortened.

Anyway, I can't think of a more deserving owner of that gun than you. Congratulations on snagging that very historical RM!

 

[Muley Gil]

I watched that gun listing for months and even submitted the ship date request you mentioned. After Roy responded suggesting I contact him, I sent him an email but did not hear back, and I didn't follow-up with a call.

I wonder what Ranger Van Zandt had in mind when he ordered the original 8-3/4" barrel. I also think it is interesting that the original King Ramp Reflector Red Bead front sight configuration was retained when the barrel was shortened.

Anyway, I can't think of a more deserving owner of that gun than you. Congratulations on snagging that very historical RM!

Reread the letter. He wanted to hunt with it.

 

[quinn]

The question I have is why was his obituary published in the G Falls Tribune? I can't see a link with his service there unless it was something to do with a family member living there or the AF base. Neither of those things are found in the articles. Is there a clue to that in the G Falls obit? The Montanan in me is curios.

Also what a great looking piece of history.

Actually, his obituary was published in a number of places as it was carried by AP. The copy I posted was just the clearest scan that I had. There is possibly a book on him but I have not been able to confirm or locate a copy so far. I have already sent for info from the Texas Ranger museum group.

Regarding factory rework marks: ther are none even though the barrel cut appears factory quality. Also, the hammer may have been replaced but haven't pulled the side plate off yet.

 

[lestert357]

Reread the letter. He wanted to hunt with it.

A senior moment; I'm closing in on 79 YO you know.

Also, re-reading the OBIT, he apparently ordered this gun while he was operating dude ranches and outfitting big game hunting parties.