This revolver is accompanied by documentation indicating that this revolver was owned by Texas Ranger Robert G. "Shadow" Goss (1898-1978), a contemporary of Frank Hamer and well-known Ranger in his own right. This provenance is detailed in a Clark Custom Guns, Inc. letter from 1987 and an affidavit from Goss's nephew Harry F. Goss from the same year. The former incorrectly lists him as active until 1980. Additional letter from James E. Clark of Clark Custom Guns, Inc. discuss him purchasing additional guns from Goss's collection. He was a friend of the lawman and was interviewed about Goss's career and gun collection and also wrote the article "The Last Word" in Shooting Times Handgun Quarterly" (photocopy included) in which he states that a Single Action Army with short barrel was Goss's favorite type for quick draw shooting. Records relating to Goss's long career as a lawman are also included listing him as a private in 1935 in Company A in Kilgore and then starting in 1939 in Lufkin. His obituary indicates he was a Texas Ranger for forty years starting in 1924. He is recorded in the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame which notes he joined the Rangers on June 23, 1924, and mostly worked in and around the Texas oil fields and served in Companies A and B. He was also Chief of Police in Kilgore, Texas, in the 1930s and later worked with the Texas Wildlife and Fisheries Department. He was fond of the classic Colt Single Action Army and owned several and shot competitively. Before his career as a lawman, he served in WWI as machine gunner in France. The included factory letter confirms the revolver as chambered for .45 Long Colt and having a 4 3/4 inch barrel with blue finish (grips not listed) when shipped alone to Harris Sporting Goods in Longview, Texas, on December 15, 1961. As noted in his book "The Post-War Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1955-1975," Author Don Wilkerson notes that of all the .45 Long Colt chambered Second Generation Single Action Army revolvers, only 5,352 were manufactured with blue/casehardened finishes and 4 3/4 inch barrels, making it the fourth least common variation for the caliber. Assembly number "503" is found on the loading gate. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, backstrap, and the last three digits on the cylinder front face and inside of both grip panels. Includes original Colt black box, cleaning rod, and manual. Provenance: The Texas Ranger Robert G. Gross Collection; Clark Custom Guns Inc.; The Tommy Rholes Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Excellent overall, retaining 99% plus original blue and casehardened finishes with minimal handling evidence and crisp grip checkering. The box is fine. Mechanically excellent. Revolvers owned by Texas Rangers are very desirable and highly sought after by collectors.