Texas Ranger Luger
 

This photo was taken in Del Rio, Texas, circa 1903. It shows a foursome of Texas Rangers. The Ranger standing on the left is Frank Hamer who later became famous for capturing Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The man in the center proudly displays his new Luger.

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/rangers.jpg

Aaron,

Thanks much for posting this picture. Non-military and working-America Luger use is one of my interests, I'm very glad to see this.

--Dwight

Hot Damn! Those boys look like they were into serious bad news for evil doers. It is a shame that their likes have passed from the scene. Hamer was one tough hombre. I understand that next to a 45 colt peacemaker, his second favorite weapon was the colt monitor, civilian version of the BAR. Don't think the guy ever heard of Miranda...

Tom A.

Aaron,

What a great piece of history. I enjoyed seeing your photo very much. It is good to see the luger played a part in the old West.
It makes me think, my Great Grandfather was killed in El Paso, Texas in 1884. He worked for the Revenue Department. I do not know what he did exactly. Wish I did.

Regards,

Aaron, No offense, but I kind of got a kick out of your giving credit to Hamer for "capturing" Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. He captured them allright. He pretty much captured them to shreds.
Good photo. I've read where Lugers were farely popular with alot of Southwestern Law Enforcement officers,Constables,and Sheriffs. I recall that there was a famous Arizona Officer who prefered Lugers.The name escapes me.

Ron

Ron,

Hamer was determined to take them down. I had some interest in the thing as I was once buying a 1921 Colt TSMG that was involved in the shooting. Lots of documentation about how hamer was absolutely convinced that if the good guys didn't do a decisive "preemptive" strike on thise two that they would fly the coop.

Among the weapons used were .351 Winchester SLR, Colt monitors, TSMGs, Win 96/94 and lots of 45 Colt Peace Makers and a couple of M1911s.

In the final analysis, the worst offense, Bonnie and Clyde committed was P.O.P.- Pissin' Off the Police.

Tom A.

Aaron,
very interesting picture.
thank you.
Mauro

Tom, I've seen the Ford sedan they were in. It's absolutely amazing, the number of bullet holes that are in that car. I've always heard that Hamer was using a Remington Mod 8 in .35 Rem. And the Deputy had a B.A.R. Have never heard a diffinitive explanation of what they actually used. Mostly just gun shop, "Well ya know...!"
In those days, you did'nt want to "P.O.P". My Dad's uncle was the Chief of Police of Montrose CO., back in the 20s and 30s. A local tough guy he had run ins with. Ambushed him late one night. Killed him with an axe handle. My Dad's cousin, who was on the force,dedicated himself to tracking the guy down.
They found his body in the Gunnison river with a .38 in his head. The local Magistrate, ruled it a hunting accident.
Attitudes on justice were alittle different,back then.

Ron

Nice picture,

I do understand that the stopping power of especially the 7.65mm or .30 luger cartridge was questioned by contemporary US law enforcers.

Elmer Keith once described a situation where a large man took a full magazine of .30s from a luger in his back, turned around and shot the cop who fired them at him.

Technically, Hamer did capture Bonnie and Clyde. He then proceeded to shoot the hell out of them.

I still regret that that '21 Tomy was bought out from under me. I have never been able to trace the Colt Monitors...would love (as in big $$) to be able to find one of those.

Tom A

OT, but it seems like very few of the famous so called motorized bandits were taken alive. Dillinger, Nelson, Floyd, Ma Barker and sons.. But, I suppose they'd scored enough hits themselves leaving most law enforcement officials with the attitude of, "why take a chance?"