Texas Ranger Tribute 1873 Rifle
Honoring the
Texas Rangers
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Texas Rangers have served Texans since the earliest days, and the history
of the Rangers is legendary. Tracing their proud heritage back to 1823,
the stories of the Rangers’ courage and daring are world-renowned, and
they are arguably the most
famous statewide law enforcement agency in America. A brotherhood of
warriors, the Rangers helped transform Texas from a wide-open territory
into an independent Republic, and then into America’s 28th state. Today,
more than 175 years after their founding, the Rangers continue to serve
and protect the citizens of Texas.
Working in cooperation with the Texas
Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas, America Remembers proudly
announces the Texas Ranger Tribute Rifle, an exciting new issue honoring
the proud and distinguished heritage of the Texas Rangers. Based on the
legendary Winchester Model 1873 rifle, this Model 73 in caliber .44-40 has
been recreated by the master craftsmen of A. Uberti. The Model 73 is a
classic lever-action rifle with its own unique and celebrated history; a
rifle that immediately rekindles images of America’s Western frontier and
a favorite
rifle for Texas Rangers in the late 1800’s.
The Tribute features a blued steel barrel,
along with a polished and gold decorated lever, hammer, trigger, forearm
cap and buttplate.
Left side features a portrait of Major John B. Jones. In 1874, Jones led
what would be known as the “first permanent Texas Rangers.” Also pictured
is a Ranger Battalion proudly posing with their rifles above a banner that
reads, “They knew their duty and they did it.” The phrase is a quote from
Ranger John S. “Rip” Ford, one of the toughest fighting men of the Mexican
War and a legendary Ranger. On each side of the group is the famed “star
in a circle” Ranger badge. The first Texas Ranger badges were homemade and
cut from Mexican coins. Also featured is an illustration of Texas Rangers
George Black and J.M. Britton. Both served in Company B of the Frontier
Battalion after the Civil War.
On the right side of the receiver is a depiction of celebrated Ranger,
Sgt. James B. Gillett astride his horse Dusty. Beside Gillett is a
portrait of Captain Leander McNelly. Commissioned to head a special force
of Texas Rangers, McNelly quickly became one of the fiercest fighters on
Texas’ southern border. Also pictured are three Rangers from Company D of
the Frontier Battalion in San Antonio in 1894. Artwork is featured in
24-karat gold with a blackened patinaed background for maximum detail and
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The shoulder stock features the official logo
of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and the forearm features the
legend, “Texas Ranger Tribute.”
With artwork honoring notable Texas Rangers
and the symbols of Ranger tradition, each Tribute rifle is a reminder of
the ultimate sacrifice of so many brave Texans. Each rifle is elegantly
decorated by craftsmen commissioned specifically for this issue by America
Remembers. The handsomely blued, 20-inch octagonal barrel is complemented
by the elegantly decorated receiver. The Tribute magnificently captures
the storied heritage of the Rangers in stunning 24-karat gold artwork with
a special blackened patinaed background to highlight the details of the
artwork.
BRAVE
DEFENDERS OF THE LONE STAR STATE
Individually, the Texas Rangers were some
of the most colorful heroes in America’s history. Together they brought
peace to a region fraught with danger. As
dispensers of frontier justice in a time and place when lawlessness ruled,
Rangers were often the only protection for settlers facing hostile
Indians, cattle rustlers,
marauding bandits and murderous gunslingers. Their exploits made them one
of the most famous and respected crime-fighting forces anywhere in the
world. Time and again, Rangers proved that one person in the right could
triumph over even the greatest odds.
Legend has it that Captain John Coffee
Hays, aka “Devil Jack,” single-handedly fought back a band of Comanches at
Enchanted Rock. Equally legendary is the account of William “Bigfoot”
Wallace who was said to have escaped from a war party of thirty by
pretending to command a battalion when in truth, he was completely alone.
The Ranger ranks overflow with bold, daring men and many of the tales of
Ranger exploits have reached a legendary, almost mythical status.
The rifle of choice for many Rangers was
the Winchester Model 73. We felt the Model 73 was the perfect firearm to
honor the unique and celebrated history of the Texas Rangers. Prior to the
adoption of this legendary Winchester repeating rifle, the Rangers had
relied on single-shot rifles. Introduced in 1873, the Winchester Model 73
was so popular on the Western frontier, it is often referred to as “the
rifle that won the West.” With its rapid-fire repeating capabilities, it
was a significant improvement over the long rifles of earlier days. The
Model 73 was the latest in a long line of innovative creations from the
Winchester Repeating Arms Company, building on the successful design of
the Model 66, which in turn had been an improvement over the legendary
“Henry Rifle.” Advertisements proudly proclaimed that the Model 73 was
capable of being “fired thirty times a minute continuously as a repeater.”
The rugged lever action was simple to operate and offered quick and
plentiful firepower providing an advantage when Rangers engaged in battles
with desperadoes, cattle rustlers, or the Plains Indians who could unleash
arrows with deadly speed and accuracy.
The legends and daring actions of the Texas
Rangers ensures they will always occupy a special chapter in our nation’s
history. Don’t miss the opportunity to honor the lives and careers of
these celebrated and daring champions of justice who would not be outrun
or outfought. With the combination of a classic Western firearm and
handsome artwork saluting the celebrated Texas Rangers, the Tribute will
certainly be a prized addition to any collection of fine firearms.
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Texas Rangers George Black and J.M.
Britton. Both served in Company B of the Frontier Battalion after the
Civil War.
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Celebrated Ranger,
Sgt. James B. Gillett
astride his horse Dusty.
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Tribute rifle is issued under license from the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame
and Museum, 2005. Historical photos courtesy of the Texas Ranger Hall of
Fame & Museum. |
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Make/Model:
Model 73 Rifle (Uberti)
Caliber: .44-.40
Stocks: Walnut
Edition Limit: 300
Decoration: Each Tribute rifle is decorated by craftsmen
specifically commissioned by America Remembers.
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Since the Texas Ranger Tribute Rifle is a working
Model 73 Rifle, we
will arrange delivery through a licensed firearms dealer of your choice.
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