Legendary Texas lawman’s custom pistols, memorabilia up for auction

[Captain Long Story, US Cavalry]

Texas Ranger Clint Peoples died 20 years ago and left an impressive legacy as one of the most prominent lawmen in Texas history.

 

Some of the Ranger memorabilia that he once owned goes on sale Dec. 9 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas. How about a gold-plated Thompson submachine gun? A Ranger badge crafted from a Mexican gold coin? Or a matched set of two elegant Smith & Wesson .357 revolvers overlaid with sterling silver flourishes?

 

Although he acquired some interesting pieces during his career, Peoples is worth remembering more for a mysterious 1961 murder case, one he was never able to solve. It involved the notorious Texas swindler Billie Sol Estes and touched on then-Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.

 

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20121128-legendary-texas-lawmans-custom-pistols-other-memorabilia-up-for-auction.ece

[Col. Nathan C. Riddles, SASS # 7462]

All ranger badges of today are made from silver cinco peso coins for Sgts & Lts. Captains (including the Senior Captain) badges are made from a Mexican gold piece. A jeweler in San Antonio had the contract to make them last I heard. I don't know if he still does. A bit of trivia: Most Ranger Capts do not wear their gold badges on their shirts. They wear a gold "colored" reproduction because the real thing is waaaay too expensive to lose or have stolen or damaged in a fight.

 

Clint Peoples also served as US Marshal for the Northern District of Texas after he retired as Texas Ranger SR. Capt. His next position was Chief U.S. Marshal of the US, appointed by Ronald Reagan.

Peoples revamped the Ranger force in 1973 when he was appointed Sr. Capt. Some say for the good, while others say for the worse. He was the ultimate politician and new how to play the game.

 

Here's a link to the auction. http://www.ha.com/c/search-results.zx?N=0+793+794+791+792+2088&chkNotSold=0&Ntk=SI_Titles&Nty=1&Ntt=clint+peoples