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Commended for "a highly distinguished career of service...[whose] example and dedication stands as an inspiration to all law enforcement officers." -from Texas Ranger Charlie Miller's 1971 funeral.
LOT 1255
Texas Ranger Charles “Charlie” Miller’s Colt Pistol, Remington Carbine and Two Texas Ranger Badges -A) Engraved and Gold Inlaid Colt Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 309163-C, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, stag grips. Offered here are two firearms and two Texas Ranger badges that belonged to Texas Ranger Charles “Charlie” Miller (1893-1971). Before becoming a regular Texas Ranger in 1919, Miller served as a Special Ranger and deputy sheriff in Bexar County. From 1919 to 1925, Miller served as a Texas Ranger who spent most of his service in the border regions of south Texas. After leaving the Rangers in 1925, Miller again held commissions as a Special Ranger and worked for several railroad companies and as an inspector
for the Sheep and Goat Raiser Association. In 1951 he again joined
the regular Texas Rangers and went on to serve an additional 17 years with the famed Texas state law enforcement agency. He retired in 1968. During his career, Miller participated in the Texas-Oklahoma Boundary Dispute on the Red River in 1920, served under Captain Frank A. Hamer who gained national fame for chasing down notorious Public Enemy Number 1 era criminal couple Bonnie and Clyde, and received a special commission assigned to the Charles Schreiner Bank and Store in Kerrville, Texas. His 1968 retirement party was held at the famed YO Ranch. With the exception of 11 months with the Internal Revenue Service, Miller served continuously with either a regular or Special Rangers commission, making for 50-year career in law enforcement. At his funeral in Austin, Texas, in 1971, a fellow Ranger praised Miller for “a highly distinguished career
of service...[whose] example and dedication stands as an inspiration to
all law enforcement officers.” As mentioned this collection includes two
of Miller’s Texas Ranger badges. The handsome silver and gold badge is hand engraved with Miller’s name, marked “STERLING 10K” on the back and was likely worn by Miller early in his Ranger career. The second badge was worn by Miller during the latter half of his career, is pictured, along with Miller’s Ranger Portrait and a brief biography, in “A Pictorial History
of the Texas Rangers” on pages 112-113 and can be seen worn by Miller
in the included photo of him. This badge is silver, marked “HALTOM/ STERLING” on the back and “CHAS. E. MILLER TEXAS RANGER” filled in
with black enamel on the front. The engraved Colt Government semi-
automatic pistol was carried by Miller from October 1967 to June 1971, features a custom floral scroll engraving on a matte background, Miller’s “CEM” initials inlaid in gold on the right rear side of the frame and stag grips with Miller’s “CEM” initials. The grip safety was tied off with rawhide by Miller as “You never know when a gunfight will ensue.” The pistol will letter as shipped to Cogdell’s of Waco Texas on February 21, 1967. The pistol was given to Miller’s very close friend, famed YO Ranch owner and Texas Ranger collector, Charles Schreiner III. Miller’s first born son, Charles Schreiner Miller, was named after Charles Schreiner III. The Remington Model 14 slide action carbine is the second firearm in this lot to belong to Ranger Miller. It has a dovetail beaded blade front sight, two
empty rear sight dovetails, red painted safety, and Wesco-63 4x32 scope one Weaver mounts. The information presented here was obtained from catalog listings when the items were featured
in a 2003 auction of the Charles Schreiner collection.
CONDITION: Very fine as a custom embellished Colt pistol carried in the line of duty by a Texas Ranger. 98% of the refinished blue finish remains with some holster type high edge wear. The engraving is crisp. The grips are excellent with very minimal handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The badges are both exceptionally fine.
B) Remington Arms Model 14 Slide Action Carbine
- Serial no. C76012, 30 Rem cal., 18 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good as a Remington carbine carried by Texas Ranger Charlie Miller. 30% original blue finish remains with the balance a smooth brown-gray patina. The buttstock is good as repaired in the wrist area. The forearm is fine with minor handling marks. The scope has hazy optics. Mechanically excellent. A true Texas Ranger archive that would look great in any law enforcement collection no matter how advanced.
Provenance: Charles Schreiner III Collection, Robert B. “Bob” Berryman Estate Collection. Estimate: 25,000 - 40,000
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Texas Ranger Charlie Miller