Now that Utah’s broken the official state gun cherry, elevating the Browning M1911 to the bureaucratic equivalent of sainthood, other U.S. states want in. Arizona’s still dithering about the Colt single-action army revolver. Meanwhile, Texans for Walker Colt are agitating to name the .44-caliber 1847 Walker Colt Revolver the official Texas talisman, ballistically speaking. “What a better why to express the rugged individualism and self reliance that has defined the great people of Texas since the days of the Republic than by honoring the Walker Colt Revolver as the official state gun of Texas?” Maybe by honoring Davy Crockett’s .40-caliber flintlock “Old Betsy”? Sorry. Couldn’t resist. OK. Let’s hear their case . .
Without the Walker Colt Revolver in the hands of the Texas Rangers the Republic of Texas might not of survived the trials and tribulations that it did on its path to statehood.”
The Texas Rangers since their founding in 1823 have defended Texas with honor, valor and dedication and exemplified the Texas ideal of rugged individualism. The Texas Rangers could not of done it without the assistance of their trusty sidearm, the 1847 Walker Colt .44 Revolver.
Texas Ranger Samuel Walker used Colt’s earlier pistols, but was unhappy with their performance on the frontiers of Texas and knew Colt could do better. Ranger Walker made some practical recommendations to Samuel Colt that led to the development of the 1847 Walker Colt .44 Revolver which is known as the first truly effective military revolver and a major breakthrough for repeating arms.
Walker claimed that the new revolvers were “as effective as a common rifle at 100 yards and superior to a musket even at 200.” Ranger Walker quickly ordered 1,000 upgraded Colt Revolvers and introduced them into the ranks of the Texas Rangers defending the new Republic of Texas and the rest is history… until now.