January 23rd 2016 Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2016
Barrel length is 2", caliber is .38 special. This Colt Detective Special square butt, six shot double action revolver was manufactured in 1928. It comes with several articles including a notarized letter from Ralph Rohatseh Jr. stating that this revolver, by serial number, was owned and used by his father Ralph Rohatseh Sr., during his service with the Texas Rangers. It comes with a retirement letter to Ralph Sr. dated 1969, a newspaper article and two photographs, one taken in 1943 at the Texas Rangers camp in Alice, Texas that pictures Ralph with seven other Rangers and a photograph from Austin, Texas from the motorcycle squad taken in the early 1930's based on the automobiles in photograph. According to the article, Ralph was born in 1899 and joined the Wichita Falls police department after World War I. He became one of the 50 original motorcycle patrolman. He filled an opening with the Texas Rangers on June 10, 1937 and, as a police officer, he participated in the chase for Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. The gun itself is a standard pre-war Detective six shot double action .38 that was beautifully engraved, nickel plated, and fitted with pearl grips. Legends are sharp as new and the revolver retains virtually all of the nickel finish. The pearl grips are excellent with minor chip on left panel and a larger chip at top right panel. Action is perfect. Strong clean bore. Lovely pre-war Colt engraved Detective with documented Texas Ranger history.