Revised: 2/27/2014

Please Note: This gun has a standard hammer, not the humpback hammer as stated in the catalog.

*SCARCE SMITH & WESSON REGISTERED MAGNUM DA REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO TEXAS RANGER, ROBERT GOSS.

SN 53983. Cal. 357 Mag. Blue finish with 4″ ribbed bbl, pinned king ramp front sight, with full matted top and adjustable sight in the top strap. Left side of bbl has the company name and right side cal marking. Frame is 5-screw type with S&W trademark on side plate. Mounted with large silver medallion, diamond checkered, walnut grips that are not numbered. Although grips are unnumbered they are correct to the model. Hammer is humpback style with patent marking on rear edge and has grooved sides with fine checkered spur. Inside the crane has the registration number “2915”. Accompanied by a letter on Clark Custom Guns, Inc. letterhead over the signature of James E. Clark, Sr., wherein he states that he purchased this revolver from the collection of Robert G. Goss. Mr. Clark used the assembly number “11630” as the serial number but has the correct registration number in the body of the letter. Robert G. (Bob) Goss was born Jul. 1898 in Honey Grove, TX. He apparently was a rancher/farmer until about 1924 when he enlisted in the Texas Rangers. Records show that he enlisted again in 1930 & 1932 as an unpaid appointment. He then became Chief of Police in Kilgore, TX from 1933-1935, then reenlisted in the Rangers apparently until 1940. As of this writing, very little more is known about his activities after 1940, except that he apparently was with the Texas Wildlife & Fisheries Dept. in the 1970s, and passed away in 1978. During Mr. Goss’ tenure as a Ranger it is well documented that he was the partner of Ranger Captain Manuel T. Gonzaullas, also known as “Lone Wolf Gonzaullas”. While Capt. Gonzaullas became very well known and famous, Ranger Goss was referred to as Gonzaullas’ “shadow” and was involved with him in numerous incidents and shootouts. Capt. Gonzaullas was overheard to say that Ranger Goss was the finest shot he had ever seen and he didn’t think there are a half a dozen better pistol shots in America. Ranger Goss is noted as having been Texas state pistol champion 1926-1930. Ranger Goss was apparently very modest and avoided the limelight as much as possible. When someone would ask him about his shooting skills, he would change the subject to his silver mounted saddle or something more innocuous. After Ranger Goss passed away, his widow sold about fifty of his guns to Mr. James E. Clark, Sr., the famous target pistolsmith, of Shreveport, LA. which included this revolver, two Colt semi-auto pistols and two Colt Single Action revolvers, being sold elsewhere in this auction. Accompanying this lot is a large volume of enlistment records, letters and newspaper clippings all about Ranger Goss. Ranger Goss was the subject of an article by Mr. Jim Clark, mentioned above, titled “The Last Word” which appeared in the magazine Shooting Times Handgun Quarterly, date unknown. Ranger Goss is also mentioned in the book The Last Boom, Clark & Halbouty, published in 1972. Also accompanying are several copies of photos of Ranger Goss, apparently from about the 1930s. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except grips which are unnumbered. Overall retains 95-96% bright orig blue with holster wear on each side of the muzzle, sharp edge wear elsewhere and a small scrape pattern on the left side, probably from a holster rivet; hammer & trigger retain about 95% brilliant case colors; left grip has a ding in the edge, otherwise grips are sound showing light diamond point wear and retain most of their orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp & smooth; brilliant shiny bore. 4-50660 JR418 (5,000-8,000)

Click here to view pdf provenance. – Lot 1404

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1404	$6,490.00	Revised: 2/27/2014 Please Note: This gun has a standard hammer, not the humpback hammer as stated in the catalog. SCARCE SMITH & WESSON REGISTERED MAGNUM DA REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO TEXAS RANGER, ROBERT GOSS. SN 53983. Cal. 357 Mag. Blue finish with 4″ ribbed bbl, pinned king ramp front sight, with full matted top and adjustable sight in the top strap. Left side of bbl has the company name and right side cal marking. Frame is 5-screw type with S&W trademark on side plate. Mounted with large silver medallion, diamond checkered, walnut grips that are not numbered. Although grips are unnumbered they are correct to the model. Hammer is humpback style with patent marking on rear edge and has grooved sides with fine checkered spur. Inside the crane has the registration number “2915”. Accompanied by a letter on Clark Custom Guns, Inc. letterhead over the signature of James E. Clark, Sr., wherein he states that he purchased this revolver from the collection of Robert G. Goss. Mr. Clark used the assembly number “11630” as the serial number but has the correct registration number in the body of the letter. Robert G. (Bob) Goss was born Jul. 1898 in Honey Grove, TX. He apparently was a rancher/farmer until about 1924 when he enlisted in the Texas Rangers. Records show that he enlisted again in 1930 & 1932 as an unpaid appointment. He then became Chief of Police in Kilgore, TX from 1933-1935, then reenlisted in the Rangers apparently until 1940. As of this writing, very little more is known about his activities after 1940, except that he apparently was with the Texas Wildlife & Fisheries Dept. in the 1970s, and passed away in 1978. During Mr. Goss’ tenure as a Ranger it is well documented that he was the partner of Ranger Captain Manuel T. Gonzaullas, also known as “Lone Wolf Gonzaullas”. While Capt. Gonzaullas became very well known and famous, Ranger Goss was referred to as Gonzaullas’ “shadow” and was involved with him in numerous incidents and shootouts. Capt. Gonzaullas was overheard to say that Ranger Goss was the finest shot he had ever seen and he didn’t think there are a half a dozen better pistol shots in America. Ranger Goss is noted as having been Texas state pistol champion 1926-1930. Ranger Goss was apparently very modest and avoided the limelight as much as possible. When someone would ask him about his shooting skills, he would change the subject to his silver mounted saddle or something more innocuous. After Ranger Goss passed away, his widow sold about fifty of his guns to Mr. James E. Clark, Sr., the famous target pistolsmith, of Shreveport, LA. which included this revolver, two Colt semi-auto pistols and two Colt Single Action revolvers, being sold elsewhere in this auction. Accompanying this lot is a large volume of enlistment records, letters and newspaper clippings all about Ranger Goss. Ranger Goss was the subject of an article by Mr. Jim Clark, mentioned above, titled “The Last Word” which appeared in the magazine Shooting Times Handgun Quarterly, date unknown. Ranger Goss is also mentioned in the book The Last Boom, Clark & Halbouty, published in 1972. Also accompanying are several copies of photos of Ranger Goss, apparently from about the 1930s. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except grips which are unnumbered. Overall retains 95-96% bright orig blue with holster wear on each side of the muzzle, sharp edge wear elsewhere and a small scrape pattern on the left side, probably from a holster rivet; hammer & trigger retain about 95% brilliant case colors; left grip has a ding in the edge, otherwise grips are sound showing light diamond point wear and retain most of their orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp & smooth; brilliant shiny bore. 4-50660 JR418 (5,000-8,000) Click here to view pdf provenance. – Lot 1404 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*SCARCE SMITH & WESSON REGISTERED MAGNUM DA REVOLVER THAT BELONGED TO TEXAS RANGER, ROBERT GOSS.