Texas Ranger serial number check

shooter10

August 19, 2013 20:16

I have an old Winchester that I was told by an old collector may have belong to a Texas Ranger. He says that I should contact "them" and see if they have an archive of that serial number. Has anyone had experience with this before? Who would you contact?

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  lcdrdanr

  August 20, 2013 07:02

  Well, there is a Texas Ranger Museum in Texas (don't recall exactly where though, might be Waco) but I'm not sure that they have any records.
  
  As I recall, the Rangers provided their own weapons, horse, and saddle in the early years. I didn't think it was until the 20th century that weapons were standardized and issued.
  
  Without a former owners name, dates and places, I'm afraid it's going to remain just a story.
  
  Dan R

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  dcs shooters

  August 20, 2013 07:14

  This might help,
  
  http://www.texasranger.org/ReCenter/resource1.htm

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  MG1890

  August 20, 2013 08:48

  If, by "them" they mean the Buffalo Bill Historical Society that has the Winchester records, then forget it. The records very rarely state to whom the gun was sold.
  
  Tell us about the Winchester and we may be able to disprove the Ranger claim thru the process of elimination.
  
  Even if it was Ranger owned, without documentation, and without a legend about how the rifle was used for some ruthless outlaw, the rifle would not have much additional value.

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  rufe-snow

  August 20, 2013 10:08

  No offense meant! But the 11 commandment of gun collecting, is to buy a gun based on it's fair market value. Not the story it comes with. Unless there is irrefutable documentation, to substantiate it's former ownership/history.

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