Own a Piece of History

There are collectors out there that specialize in collecting guns carried by Texas Rangers. One is coming up for auction tomorrow. Other photos and contact information at the link.

Steele Combat Commander

Bob Steele, Texas Ranger, Colt Combat Commander 45

Robert “Bob” Steele began his law enforcement career in New York. During an undercover assignment in the late 60’s, early 1970 Steele was worked over by members of a organized crime family and left for dead along the Long Island Expressway.  He survived and relocated with his family to San Antonio. Then he went back and finished what he started in New York by testifying against the mobsters at their trial.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, Narcotics Service was being reorganized at about this time. Steele’s first employment with DPS was in the Narcotics Service, so it was likely he was part of the reorganization effort. He was later transferred to the Texas Rangers in 1980.

I met Bob in 1990. I don’t know whether it was an assignment or a choice but most law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan area had a Texas Ranger. The Ranger would drift through whenever the spirit moved them. Many times it was a social call.  However, when the smaller agency needed help the call would go out to “their” ranger.

Texas Rangers wore the same thing day in and day out, a button down collared shirt and tie with the “Cinco Peso” badge pinned over the breast pocket.  Western cut slacks with a knife edge crease leading down to a highly polished pair of custom cowboy boots.  Most all carried a Colt 1911 or Combat Commander .45.  More often than not the gun and the grips were custom engraved.  The gunbelt, referred to as a “Ranger Rig” consisted of a inner and outer “River Belt” with hand tooled silver buckle and belt loops, with hand tooled holster, dual magazine pouch and handcuff case. The whole ensemble was topped off with a silver beaver cowboy hat in winter and a straw in summer. Bob looked the part, but the deese and dats of Brooklyn, when he spoke, told you right away that the planes of Texas that he was familiar with were 727’s.