Lot 1252: Colt Single Action Army Revolver 38 WCF

Colt Single Action Army revolver manufactured in 1903 and engraved: "GLENN KRUEGER/TEXAS RANGERS" on the right side of the barrel and "TEXAS RANGERS" on the back strap. The revolver is accompanied by a notarized letter dated December 14, 2015, and signed: "Roberto D. Garza Jr./Retired Texas Ranger, Company "D"/Corpus Christi, Texas". The letter states that Roberto Garza, a retired Texas Ranger with 33 years service, is the owner of Colt Single Action serial number 247938. The letter further states this revolver was formerly owned by Texas Ranger Glenn Krueger who was a Ranger in Company D from 1948-1986, and that Glenn Krueger was the son of Bennie Krueger who served as a Texas Ranger from 1937-1969. The letter notes that Rangers Glenn and Bennie Krueger are one of the only father-son duos in Texas Ranger history. Glenn served in the U.S. Navy during WWII before following his father's foot steps and starting his law enforcement career. His father was well-known and highly regarded by his fellow Rangers and had a run in with Bonnie and Clyde in 1933 when he was working at Brenham Police Department in Texas. He confronted the couple when they were sleeping in their parked car due to complaints by local residents. Luckily for him, the pair were caught off guard and played it cool rather than shooting it out. They left town, and it wasn't until the next day that Krueger learned the pair had been in the area. He later spoke with one of the gang's drivers who informed him that Bonnie had a sub-machine gun aimed at the trooper under her blanket during the whole affair. She supposedly only held fire for fear of killing Clyde in the process. He is one of the only troopers to directly confront the outlaws and escape with his life. The revolver has a full chrome plated finish with custom engraving and is fitted with two-piece stag grips. The well-executed engraving consists of open scrollwork on a punch-dot background and is the equivalent of Colt "B" factory engraving. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line Hartford address, and the left side is roll-stamped:"38 W.C.F." The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt three-date/two-line patent marking followed by the encircled Rampant Colt trademark. The assembly number, "145," is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The serial number, "247938," is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Fine as custom embellished. The revolver was plated after engraving and retains nearly all of the chrome finish. There is light pitting under the plating on the front and rear face of the cylinder, on the firing pin and sides of the hammer and on the inside of the frame. The well-executed scroll engraving and inscriptions are sharp. The stag horn grips are in excellent condition. Mechanically fine. This is a really good looking, fully documented example of a Texas Ranger owned Colt Single Action Army revolver.