Texas Ranger Museum

[Seatex]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but it looked like it would fit here. Today I visited the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, Texas and focused on the collection of 1911's they have there. By no means is this all of them, but these are the ones I chose to put in this slideshow. Some were daily carry and some were "Bar-B-Q" guns. Hope you enjoy...the pictures don't do them justice.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Seatex1000?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/QVnwr89cVSY

[Hawkmoon]

You snuck an impostor in there at number 6. That was just to see who was paying attention, right?

Very impressive. I've always known that some Rangers carried 1911s, but I had no idea the number was that extensive. Your video production skills are pretty impressive, too, by the way. Nicely done.

[Seatex]

OOPs...I snuck that one in on myself. I took a ton of pictures today and put this video together in my hotel room tonight. The tour was a short stop off on my way to our Dallas office today. Good catch and glad you like the video.
A lot of Rangers to this day are partial to the 1911.

Quote - Someone asked a Ranger why he carried a .45...He responded "Because they don't make a .46

Quote - Someone asked a Ranger once if he knew his pistol was cocked and it looked dangerous. He responded "I wouldn't be carrying the thing if it wasn't".

[texagun]

Number 17 belonged to the Grandfather of one of my best friends and neighbor. The gun belonged to Texas Ranger James Geer and I have held it in my hand, though I have never fired it. The gun was well-used and shows wear from the many years of carry and use.The gun, along with his saddle and other items was recently donated to the museum. I could relate some interesting stories on the history and use of this pistol but they are well-documented in some of the fascinating books on Ranger history. Suffice it to say it was used appropriately in the line of duty.

[thomasinaz]

Thank you for the video/pics! I'll have to stop at the Ranger Museum on my way east, one of these days.

[texagun]

Here are some additional photos of Ranger Jim Geer's gun that may be of interest. The gun is a 1st year production .38 Super (1929), a caliber that was favored by many Rangers for it's ability to penetrate automobile bodies. The gun has been professionally appraised at $5000. The early Texas Rangers badges were made from a Cinco Peso Mexican silver coin (The one pictured is a 1940's era badge).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/w5lx/rightsidejpg.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/w5lx/leftsidejpg.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/w5lx/rightsidecloseupjpg.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/w5lx/leftsidecloseupjpg.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/w5lx/badgejpg.jpg

[Seatex]

Excellent photos Texagun. I like the history on the badge.

[dep2386]

I have been lucky enough to visit theTexas Ranger Museum twice. I can't wait to go back again. The museum has a web site www.texasranger.org. They have a web magazine. You can also purchase stuff from the gift shop. I have several biographies of Texas Rangers that I purchased from their gift shop.

[Seatex]

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/Seatex100/Ranger45.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/Seatex100/Ranger45info.jpg

I thought this said it all.

[dominator9]

Awesome thread, folks! Great video, great pics, great story. I love history. And to think I have lived 90 miles from Waco for 25 years and never knew it was there. (I'm so ashamed.)

Easily corrected though: "Hey, honey, don't make any plans for the weekend!"

[doc watson]

I was at the Ranger museum in 1999, if you are a 1911 lover, and you know you are, you owe it to yourself to go there. Also have some Bonnie and Clyde weapons on display.

[luv2brode]

was just looking at my pics from the museum earlier today some reason its just guns go figure

[John]

I just noticed this thread and I decided it has enough great material to warranty it becomes a sticky. Keep photos coming folks.

[Seatex]

Thanks John...I'll dig up some more pictures.

[Seatex]

The 1911 was popular early on with the Texas Rangers as seen in this photo of Jules Baker's .45

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/Seatex100/IMG00124-20110418-1043.jpg

[Seatex]

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/Seatex100/IMG00133-20110418-1053.jpg

[Seatex]

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/Seatex100/IMG00103-20110418-1026-1-1.jpg

[USMC69]

Can't help but notice there isn't one gun in the collection that has FCS. Them rangers was common sense boys.

[texagun]

Can't help but notice there isn't one gun in the collection that has FCS. Them rangers was common sense boys.

What is FCS?

[USMC69]

Front cocking serrations. In recent times, a lot of 1911's have been produced with cocking serrations on the back AND front of the slide. Custom and most semi-custom houses like Ed Brown, Baer, etc. will offer the option of eliminating the front serrations for custom builds.

I found it noteworthy that none of the pistols in the OP's collage appeared to have the front serrations. I don't recall whether "traditional" 1911's had the fronts or not, but I happen to be one of the "clean slide" guys that doesn't see the need for FCS. I also found it interesting that most, if not all of the pistols pictured had the mil-spec sights on them - again, I don't know if that's due to the lack of availability of adjustable/fixed "modern" rear sights and front blades, or that's the way the boys back in the day liked them. Cool pics, though.

[Rio Vista Slim]

Front cocking serrations. In recent times, a lot of 1911's have been produced with cocking serrations on the back AND front of the slide. Custom and most semi-custom houses like Ed Brown, Baer, etc. will offer the option of eliminating the front serrations for custom builds.

I found it noteworthy that none of the pistols in the OP's collage appeared to have the front serrations. I don't recall whether "traditional" 1911's had the fronts or not, but I happen to be one of the "clean slide" guys that doesn't see the need for FCS. I also found it interesting that most, if not all of the pistols pictured had the mil-spec sights on them - again, I don't know if that's due to the lack of availability of adjustable/fixed "modern" rear sights and front blades, or that's the way the boys back in the day liked them. Cool pics, though.
"Traditional" 1911s were not equipped with front cocking serrations. That is strictly a late 20th century "innovation", and, like you, I don't care for them.

Since Colts were the only commercial manufacturer of the 1911, the Texas Ranger Museum features mostly Colts. From the video (and a few of the photographs), several Rangers would put larger or adjustable sights on their pistols. The majority of Colt 1911s at the museum have the small sights which were standard on commercial-grade Colts (except the Gold Cups) until the Series 80 pistols were introduced.

The Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, Texas is a fascinating destination. I highly recommend that any visitors to Waco include the museum as a "must stop".

[texagun]

Here are a couple of photos of Texas Ranger Jim Geer who served in the 40's and 50's. He carried a Colt .45 ACP on one hip and a Colt .38 Super on the other hip. He was well over 6 feet tall and was probably not the guy you wanted to pick a fight with.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/w5lx/JimGeerTexasRanger.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/w5lx/JimGeerTexasRanger3.jpg