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LOT 3342
Highly Desirable Documented Smith & Wesson
Model 19-5 Double Action Revolver with Holster
and Letter of Authenticity Stating it was
Carried by Texas Ranger Lieutenant J. Rodney
Odom - Serial no. ABK4503, 357 Magnum cal., 4
inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, laminated grips. This
Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 revolver was owned
and carried by Texas Ranger Lieutenant J. Rodney
Odom. Lt. Odom confirms this was his duty pistol in
his accompanying signed letter of authenticity: “I am proud to
and do hereby authenticate that the pistol described herein was carried by me,
Company ‘B’ Texas Ranger Lieutenant J. Rodney Odom, in my official capacity as a law
enforcement officer commissioned by the Texas Department of Public Safety...When
I carried the pistol, it was in the normal course of my Ranger duties while assigned to
Texas Rangers Co. ‘B’ Garland.” The revolver is listed by serial number in the letter. Lt.
Odom continued, “At the time I carried this handgun I had a black floral tooled leather
holster and speed loader carriers made for it by an inmate serving time in the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice.” The floral tooled holster and two matching tooled speed
loader carriers are included with the revolver. The back of the holster is marked “HAND
MADE BY/[five-pointed star]/RICKY DOTSON.” Lt. Odom began his career with the DPS
in 2005, was promoted to Ranger in January 2013, and, as of this writing, continues to
serve as a Ranger. The Texas Rangers have a proud, nearly 200 year history, of being the
elite of Texas law enforcement. As America’s oldest state law enforcement agency, the
Rangers have taken part in some of the most notable Old West criminal cases, played a
role in some of the most critical moments in Texas history and have been the subject of
countless books ranging from non-fiction to pulp fiction. This modern S&W duty revolver
and Lt. Odom continue the Texas Ranger legacy. This revolver and the pistol in the
previous lot are both documented as carried by Ranger Odom in the line of duty.
CONDITION: Very fine as refinished after a hard use career with a Texas Ranger, some
scattered pitting under the finish. The grips are also very fine with very limited handling
marks. Mechanically excellent. The holster and speed loader carriers are excellent. This
revolver and the pistol in the following lot, which is also documented as carried by
Ranger Odom, would make a for a fantastic, instant Texas Rangers collection!
Provenance: Lieutenant J. Rodney Odom, Texas Rangers, Company B.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3341
Historic Documented David Wade Harris Engraved Colt Mk. IV Series 70 Government
Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Personal Letter of Authenticity Stating it was Carried
by Texas Ranger Lieutenant J. Rodney Odom - Serial no. 74454G70, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., nickel finish, metal grips. Manufactured in 1978, this is a very attractive example of a Colt
Mk. IV Series 70 Government Model pistol which was embellished by Master Engraver David
Wade Harris and is documented as carried in the line of duty by lieutenant J. Rodney Odom, of
Texas Rangers Company B out of Garland, Texas. Harris is part of a lineage of legendary Texas
engravers starting with Cole Agee (1901-1955), who is best known creating the unique “cattle
brand” pattern engraving. Agee taught Weldon Bledsoe (1916-1995) to engrave, including
the iconic cattle brand style, who then taught Harris, continuing a Texas engraving tradition
for over a century. This example is discreetly signed “DWHARRIS” on the right rear of the frame
and shows about 80% coverage, masterfully executed floral scroll engraving in the traditional
American style. The smooth, flat mainspring housing is engraved with “Co B”. The pistol is fitted
with a pair of silver plated grips marked “STERLING” on the insides, with both panels being
fitted with small Texas Rangers badges and engraved with full coverage floral scroll. It is unclear
if the grips were also engraved by Harris, but the style appears very similar to that found on the
pistol. The left side of the slide has the standard three-line model and caliber marking followed
by the Rampant Colt, while the right has the one-line model marking. The right of the frame
has the Colt address and the serial number. The chamber hood of the barrel is marked with
the caliber and Mk. IV Series 70 markings in two lines. It is fitted with a replacement, low
profile blade front sight and flat topped notch rear sight. Included with the pistol is a
letter of authenticity signed by lieutenant J. Rodney Odom of Company B (Garland)
of the Texas Rangers, stating that this pistol belonged to him and was carried by
him while carrying out his duties as a Ranger. The revolver in the previous lot is also
documented as carried by Odom in the line of duty.
CONDITION: Very fine as masterfully upgraded/embellished by David
Wade Harris, retaining 99% plus of the nickel plating,
some very light handling evidence, and crisp
engraving and markings. The grips retain 99%
plus of the silver plating and have crisp engraving.
Mechanically excellent. This pistol along with
the revolver in the previous lot, which
were both carried by Ranger Odom, would
make a fantastic collector’s pair!
Provenance: Lieutenant J. Rodney
Odom, Texas Rangers, Company B.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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