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Something looks odd here.

TrinityScrimshawTrinityScrimshaw Member Posts: 9,350 ✭✭✭
edited October 2010 in General Discussion
Check this auction.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=191797234

The Texas Ranger badge is a fake, but anyone at anytime could have put it there.

The stamped name on the stock looks fresh with nice sharp lines.

Something tells me this was made to look old by someone, when it didn't need to be.[:(]

Trinity +++

Comments

  • SturmgewehrSturmgewehr Member Posts: 4,420
    edited November -1
  • fideaufideau Member Posts: 11,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • TrinityScrimshawTrinityScrimshaw Member Posts: 9,350 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you go to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame web sight:

    http://www.texasranger.org/artifacts/Fakebadges.htm

    They go into detail about all the fake Ranger badges. They state that the most commonly seen fraudulent badges bear Texas Ranger Company designations Co. A, B, C, D, E, F, HQ, and the old Frontier Battalion. It should be noted that legitimate jewelry makers (cuff links, earrings, buckles, etc.) often incorporate fake or fantasy company badge design motifs.

    The most common fake and fantasy Texas Ranger badges were produced by D.R. Langenbacker & Sons Company of Bluffdale, Utah. These "reproductions" are unmarked and even have details such as fake impressions from cast Mexican coins on the reverse. They are common at gun shows, on EBay, and other auction services, and at flea markets. Unwary collectors have paid high prices for them.

    Assuming Mr. Fred Burns was a Texas Ranger, I find it kind of odd that he would stamp his countys name on the stock. Most Ranger's are assigned to a company in a zone or district, not just one particular county, but who is to say what they did back in 1873.[?]

    Trinity +++
  • mrseatlemrseatle Member Posts: 15,467 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'd go $400[:)]
  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    The museum is just up the street, ya want me to go ask them about it?
  • TrinityScrimshawTrinityScrimshaw Member Posts: 9,350 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    And bring back pictures of your visit matwor...[:D]

    Trinity +++
  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    Went by there yesterday at 4:40, 20 mins til closing and they wouldn't let me in. I'll see if they will today. Here's pics thus far.

    9be97d4a.jpg

    62402740.jpg

    994023e5.jpg

    f14a349f.jpg

    754ea498.jpg
  • fideaufideau Member Posts: 11,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have read that there was no regular issue badge until the late 1880s. They were made from Mexican coins originally. Before that, a Ranger might have his own made in any shape he wanted.
    This one is more than likely fake, and without some proof in writing I wouldn't accept this rifle as genuine, other than being a Winchester that someone hacked up.
  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    I stopped by at lunch and noone was available for me to speak with. However, I was given the name and contact info for Shelly Crittendon, Collections Manager. I did e-mail her later in the day, below is our exchange.

    Dear Mr. XXXXXXXXX,

    I have forwarded your email to our director, Byron Johnson. ?We don't
    have anyone on staff who would qualify as a gun expert, however, Mr.
    Johnson has been the Director here for 14 years and is quite
    knowledgeable on firearms. ?If he has any advice or opinions I will
    forward those to you when I receive them from him. ?In the meantime I am
    attaching two lists of firearms appraisers for your reference.

    Thank you for you interest in the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.

    Sincerely,
    Shelly Crittendon
    Collections Manager

    Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum

    Original Message
    From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [mailto:matwor@yahoo.com]
    Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 3:32 PM
    To: Shelly Crittendon
    Subject: Texas Ranger gun auction

    Hello Shelly. ?The link below is the I spoke of on the phone. ?

    Please let whoever responds to me to feel free to register on Gunbroker
    on the discussion boards if they wish. ?It's always nice to have someone
    with more firearm knowledge join the discussion there. ?

    I would ask that if someone from the museum decides to join the
    discussion, please only use my user name on the boards which is
    "matwor". ?Thank you for your discretion.

    If however they have no interest in joining the discussion, I sincerely
    hope they will take the time to view the auction in question and pitch
    in their 2 cents via an e-mail response.

    Thank you for your time, and any help your personnel may be in this
    matter.


    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=478074
  • bigtirebigtire Member Posts: 24,800
    edited November -1
    Someone ruined a good 1873.

    And only 4 pictures?
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