Jump to content

Texas Ranger Thompson SN# 4196


Recommended Posts

I thought I had posed this info out here before but looks like I did not. (Excuse me if I did) Anyway, here is the scoop that I have on it to date.

SN# 4196 was shipped from Auto Ordnance Corporation in July of 1927 to Shapleigh Hardware Company, St. Louis Missouri. From there is was forwarded on to Greenfield Hardware Company, Post Texas. Next it made its way to the Texas Rangers. Unknown yet as to how it got to the Texas Rangers or who carried it early on. To date it was known to have been carried by now retired Texas Ranger Ralph Wadsworth Sr. of Company A & Company B. Wadsworth joined the Texas Rangers in 1977 and was assigned to Company A in Houston, Texas. In 1978 he was transferred to Company B, Garland Texas where he was issued this Colt Thompson as a duty weapon. He served with the Texas Rangers until 1985. In 1984 a dictate from the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety required that this weapon be surrendered for auction. It was sold in 1984 at that auction to Dr. Lyle Gage of Bluefield West VA. Wadsworth is now serving as the 1st Vice President of the Former Texas Ranger Association, Texas Ranger Heritage Center located in Fredericksburg Texas.

I got the SN# info from an old inventory list that Major Grover Huff gave me when I was helping him with # 13018. I tracked Wadsworth down and we had a good talk about this weapon. Interesting person. Probably well into his 80's by now. He said he always carried it around in the trunk of his car. Also said that when he got it out, "everyone knew what that was". I guess it is pretty hard to argue with a Texas Ranger guy holding a Thompson SMG on you.

As old as it is, it is still in excellent condition. I also got the original hard case that he carried it in. It's not a Swetnam, etc., but a handmade wooden case. When the buttstock is removed, you can see the DPS inventory number engraved on the lower receiver. Pics attached.

 

981025-1a.JPG

981025-1b.JPG

981025-1c.JPG

981025-1d.JPG

981025-1e.JPG

981025-1f.JPG

981025-1g.JPG

981025-1j.JPG

981025-1m.JPG

981025-1n.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nick,

Thanks for posting. I love seeing the honest police wear on a Thompson gun. And the homemade wooden case is really nice. I know, the case is not original to anything, but a nice piece of history to have in ones collection, especially with a Colt's Thompson with Texas Ranger provenance.

 

All good stuff!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nick,

Thanks for posting. I love seeing the honest police wear on a Thompson gun. And the homemade wooden case is really nice. I know, the case is not original to anything, but a nice piece of history to have in ones collection, especially with a Colt's Thompson with Texas Ranger provenance.

 

All good stuff!!!

 

Ditto what he said.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...