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LOT 1564
Two Documented Colt Combat Commander Series 70 Semi-Automatic Pistols Owned by
Captain E.J. “Jay” Banks of the Texas Rangers
-A) Colt Combat Commander Pistol - Serial no. 70SC21186, 45
ACP cal., 4 1/4 inch round bbl., electroless nickel finish, stag grips. Manufactured in 1973, with standard Colt factory markings on the frame and slide. Features an all matte stainless finish, with grips made
of stag. Includes a notarized affidavit attributing both pistols as the former property of Texas Ranger Captain E. J. “Jay” Banks. Banks became a Texas
Ranger in 1947, after previous work in local, county, and state law enforcement. In 1950 he, along with other Rangers, are credited with apprehending the notorious Los Angeles-based gangster Meyer Harris “Mickey” Cohen in the Kemp Hotel in Wichita Falls, Texas, “escorting” him to a plane out of Texas, and “advising” him to never return. Banks was also involved in bringing the notorious killers Gene Paul Norris and Bill Humphrey to justice in 1957 after a high speed chase and shootout which ended in the deaths of both Norris and Humphrey. According to the document, both pistols were carried and used by Capt. Banks, and eventually sold to a personal friend after he retired. Includes a “DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY” marked Texas rangers badge, made from a Mexican silver coin.
CONDITION: Very fine as a personal firearm of a Texas Ranger, with 85% of the original electroless nickel finish remaining. Several minor handling marks across both the slide and frame, along with light edge wear and staining of the finish. The stag grips are very fine, with appealing grain character contrasted with a fine polish. Mechanically excellent.
B) Colt Combat Commander Pistol - Serial no. 70SC25310, 45 ACP cal., 4 1/4 inch round
bbl., electroless nickel finish, stag grips. Manufactured in the 1973, with standard Colt factory markings on the frame and slide. Features an all matte stainless finish, with grips made of stag. Shares the same background information as lot “A.”
CONDITION: Very fine as a personal firearm of a Texas Ranger, with 80% plus of the original electroless nickel finish remaining. Several minor handling marks across both the slide and frame, along with light edge wear, spotting, and discoloration of the finish. The stag grips are very fine, with appealing grain character contrasted with a fine polish. Mechanically excellent. A fleeting opportunity to own a pair of pistols owned by a Texas Ranger, and makes a fitting timing to commemorate the Texas Ranger’s Bicentennial.
Provenance: Texas Ranger Captain Jay Banks; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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