This is the second episode in my two-part series on the guns used by the Texas Rangers in the 19th century.
In this video I’ll discuss the guns used by the Rangers from 1870 until 1900.
Special thanks goes to Doug Dukes and Mike Cox for their excellent books.
Mike Cox’ book, “The Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821-1900” is a great history of 19th century Rangers.
It is available from Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Texas-Rangers-...
Doug Dukes wrote the definitive book on Texas Ranger weapons, “Firearms of the Texas Rangers: From the Frontier Era to the Modern Age”
It is available on Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Firearms-Texas...
Mike Beliveau links:
Patreon - / duelist
Website - mikebeliveau.com/
My wife and I visited the Texas Ranger museum in Waco. I was able to see many of the handguns carried by various Rangers. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many 1911 and 1911A1s were carried by Rangers. I can understand their preference for them as I prefer "old slab-sides" myself.
Great video; I enjoyed them both!
Thanks Glenn!
It's the man the myth the legend himself!!!
Next you Should do guns of the Texas rangers between 1901-2021.
Men that knew their guns. They pretty much had the best guns available at the time. As guns progressed the Rangers took full advantage of the improvements in power and range. The large bore single-shot Sharps carbine was with them for a good while especially for the Indian fighting. It provided enough power and range to shoot horses out from under Comanche putting them afoot and easier to catch. The fact that the government was giving them ammo didn't hurt either
King ranch is about 20 minutes from me. If you get the chance there is a film called Texas Rangers, made in the early 2000s. Its cheezy and a good western flick but its "about" Mcnelly and his people
Is that the one with Randy Travis?
Yes, great movie even if the story is fudged a little
Great job Mike. Enjoyed this second installment very much. As a resident of Texas for 40 years I continue to be amazed at the hardship of the Texas citizens and the dogged endurance they lived out. It was a brutal frontier life for these early Texans surrounded by Indians and Mexicans that all wanted them dead. Survival was their day to day work. Keep it up Mike, this is your calling!
Thanks! I’m glad that you enjoyed it.
What about the forgotten frontier of Florida? Florida is where Captain Walker first used a Patterson Colt against the Seminole. His success with it in Florida inspired him to contact Colt and led to the development of the Walker Colt. Florida also has a long history of cattle ranching(we call then cowmen instead of cowboys). Many conflicts between the natives and US government. Stories of the Ashley gang robbing banks and hiding out in the Everglades, hiding their gold in the swamps before being gun down by the sheriff and his deputies. Describing the history of Florida could lead a person to think they were hearing stories from the Old West.
You are right about Florida. Florida still produces more beef than any state except Texas. Up into the 1920s Florida was a pretty wild place. John Wesley Hardin fled to Florida and was captured by Texas rangers on a train near Tallahassee Florida. Somebody wrote a series of "western" novels set in early Florida. Barnes and Nobles carried them. Lots of history here.
My favorite Texas Ranger story is about the headless horseman of the Nueces strip. If you've never heard of it, I won't spoil it. Right now I am currently reading The Ranger Companies of Bandera County by Earl S. Hardin, Jr.
I knew nothing about the Texas Rangers except what I saw on Chuck Norris TV series, ha ha. Thanks for this Interesting story.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I read about every book I could lay hands on about the Texas rangers. I enjoyed your history of rangers weapons. I by far prefer the 1873 over the 1892 nothing is smoother than the 1873 that's why it is king of Cowboy Action shooting. Good video thanks Mike.
The Nueces Strip was definitely a hotbed of activity. The Rangers and their arms were up to the task.
I can understand why the Winchester 73 had such a following at the time over the the model of 92. Although heavier it's a much smoother action imo, which would be desrable when under duress I think.
Englishman here, I have a Winny ‘94 and two ‘92s. But I can understand why the ‘73 lasted so long, with the simple side plates and action, it was easy to clean and work on outback on the frontier.
I have a vintage model 92 in 44-40 I love very much. But I love it because all the Hollywood westerns I watched as a kid led me to believe at the time that was the Winchester Rifle that won the West. LOL. Far from it. The 73 and others are the one's which saw all the action. By the time the 92 was introduced the wild days were mostly history by then. Plus two years later the Winchester 94 came out and that stole much of the 92's thunder. I think the 92 Winchester saw very little action in the old West. Saw some in Mexico though with the revolution. Although the 94 30-30 was more popular, there are photos of the Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata packing one, along with bandoleers loaded with 44-40 cartridges.
I lived in Arizona as a child during the 1950's and of course I prayed to some day have my own Winchester 1894 .30-30 lever action rifle and around 1992 my prayers were answered when I purchased a brand new rifle! I still love that rifle to this day in November 23, 2021. I'd like to add that I really like the Model 1895 lever action with the non detachable box, which I learned about here in this video. -Peter age 71
I remember around 1959 watching Texas Rangers riding through Dallas with their tooled leather belts, holster with Colt SAA resting in it. Dressed in tan colored uniforms sporting tan Stetson s. They were like knights to me then. Thanks Mike for another great video.
Earlier this year I read the new book War on the Border by Jeff Guinn, being assigned to the Rio Grande region sounds like the most miserable thankless job as a Texas Ranger no matter what era you're in
Hey Mike, what about a video on the firearms and tactics of the Indian warriors? Trade guns, sawed off muskets, (later) purchased winchesters etc
I had already planned my next range visit before this video came out. My 2 gun choices were Uberti 44-40 Henry Carbine and Uberti 44-40 Colt 1873.
I'm wanting to get an Uberti 1860 Henry reproduction. Preferably in .44-40. Haven't Been able to find one. As for revolver I like the Uberti 1851 Navy .36, loaded with paper cartridges. Seems like Uberti quit making all the interesting firearms such as the 1860 Henry over these last few years. Always see a ton of short barreled 1873's and such, though.
Ever do any reading on Lone Wolf Gonzales? One bad ass Ranger!
Very interesting overview on the most iconic law enforcement agency in our history, really found the history and stories to add greatly to the firearms selected and used. Great job.
Could you tell the famous tale of Ira Aten and his shoot out with Mexican rustlers when he used his new 1894 Winchester?
Those two books will be on my coffee table very soon. Thanks!
Great video. Never knew that they used ball and cap 1860 in early 1870s. No conversions? Another great book: “Comanches: The History of A People” by famous Texas historian, the late T.R. Fehrenbach written in 1974 and reprinted in 2002
J Bàrber Australia. Being left handed I had two Winchesters in 92 model 25 20 and 94 model in 30 30. Both were excellent pig guns and very reliable. I mostly hunted on fòot in thick scrub and a fast accurate repeater was essential. In thick bush pigs will often lie doggo and snap shots over iron sights are a daily occurrence. Some as close as a few feet. Enjoy your video's, well researched and very well delivered.
This is terrific stuff, Mike. Hopefully, you've got more of these 'old west' historical videos.
I have a few ideas.
Great video , i love the Texas Ranger history and the old Winchester and Colt s ....
I really enjoy this series, I have an ancestor who was a Texas ranger around this period, Being a shooting enthusiast this has been really fun for me to see the types of firearms he may have been familiar with. Thank you for your content.
Still today in Texas when a man is a good shot they say he "Shoots like a Tennessean".
Thank you, excellent history info. A tough time for Texas.
The original pay for Texas Ranger private was $1.25 a week in 1835. Probably wasn't much more in 1870.
Great videos Mike! Thank you!
Oh really love the series I hope you’re able to do at least the first part of the 20th century
Outstanding info. Thanks.
Thank You for your two part series on Guns of the Texas Rangers. I had read the Miller's book, Texas Ranger John B. Jones, prior to watching your videos and enjoyed hearing you elaborate on the several incidents that Rangers were involved in. Wish you had made mention of Captain Neal Coldwell in the process. Some of the cites of incidents of Rangers fighting Indians are marked with Texas Historical Markers & Roadside Markers and can be located in books covering them., as another resource for future research. Keep producing your enjoyable videos.
I really enjoyed this video Mike. Thank you!
Love the video! Amazing info.
Thank you for the video Mike. Awesome history.
I enjoyed the video and i really appreciate the time you put into your research.
Thank you for this presentation.
Thank you Mike.Always enjoy all your videos.
Many many thanks for your work!
Great video, Mike- keep ‘em coming!
Once again a great video love to see ya bring them up to present
Great content Mike and thanks for your research on this topic.
Thank you, I look forward for more.
I am surprised that you didn’t speak to the 1886 Winchester. I have seen photos of Texas Rangers, or so I thought, from the 1890’s using the 1886. I would have thought given the availability of ammo from the state it would have been somewhat popular. Thanks for the video.
I didn't run across any in my research, but, since Rangers bought their own guns, I'm not surprised that some used the 1886.
Great history Mike. Thanks.
Excellent Job Thanks For Posting
Excellent video!
Thank you for making these videos, they are very interesting and informative
Thanks for making these videos.
I really appreciate your videos, thank you. Great subjects too.
Enjoyed both videos on this topic, just outstanding, thanks. 👍
I really enjoyed this! Thank you! ❤️😊
Thanks so much Mike. Such an interesting and informative series. I certainly enjoyed every minute.
Great video Mike. I always learn a lot from your videos.
Awesome stuff thank you,love your videos.
Thanks Mike! Great job.
I love these videos Mike. Thanks
Amazing presentation!
Great video on the Texas Rangers. We appreciate your time, and efforts. Thank you.
Thanks for a great video!
Very informative treatment. Thanks, Mike.
Mr. Mike, thanks for share your knowledge with us!! :)
Great series....very entertaining and informative! Thank you
Outstanding TUTORIAL Mike !!!!! Thx !!!!!
Thank you very much. Extremely interesting and informative.
Thanks for posting this. I enjoyed this installment even more than the first one. Great stuff!
Really enjoyed this episode. I hope there's more
Awesome research and history lesson. You are a wealth of information on the most colorful and interesting part ( in my opinion) of American history. Thank you.
Excellent video, thank-you sir.
Great video sir.. Loved hearing the history
Great video very informative and entertaining
Very informative,well delivered. Thank you
Very good and very informative video. I love when you have educational videos like this. Thank you for taking the time to research and then make an outstanding video.
Both posts were very informative. Thanks for the work👍🏻
What a great educational video , thank you very much for everything
Thanks for that presentation. I know that took quite a lot of time. Very interesting!
Great video Mike. I really like these videos with your narration of the back stories.
Thank you Mike for these historically researched fantastic videos.
I did enjoy your video as always very interesting as well
This was incredibly interesting. Great job, Mike!
I love these stories. You make me want to do some reading on the subject. Thanks for making the videos!
I was dead tired when I watched this but couldn’t stop watching. Very interesting!! Thank you!
Yup
I enjoyed both parts very much. Thank you for this videos. I need to get my hands on them lever actions one day.
Wonderful piece of history , thank you 👍🇬🇧
Thanks Mike. Very informative and interesting. I appreciate all your hard work making these video's. Great subject matter too.
Another interesting istoey lesson, Mike. Really enjoyed it!
Really enjoyed this! Particularly the individual Rangers and stories of their experiences in battle. Would like to hear more in that regard, thanks!
Thanks, I really enjoyed this!
One of your best (if not the best) videos Mike. Thanks for all your work!
Great video! Thanks Mike
Wow ! Another Excellent Presentation ! Well Done Sir !
Great video, thank you sir!
Great video and great history! Thank you!
Great video, liked both 1 and 2 , very informative
Excellent presentation, Sir.
Absolutely brilliant ! As was the first episode. Thankyou sir.
Another great video on the guns and the times. Our family often watches your videos together. Please keep them coming
Great series Mike!👍🇺🇸
Great Historical Story and Gorgeous Guns !!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing Mike 👍