Description
Historic Colt Lightweight Commander Semi-Automatic Pistol Engraved to Commemorate the Retirement of Texas Ranger Captain Manuel T. Gonzaullas, aka “El Solo Lobo,” with Soft Case
According to the included factory letter, this pistol was shipped on September 28, 1950, to the Southwest Sporting Goods Company of Tulsa, Oklahoma, as part of a 5-piece order in 38 Super with blue finish, “Not Listed” grips, and 4 1/4 inch barrel. In addition to the standard markings, the left side of the slide is engraved “Texas Rangers/1920-1951” at the front, “El Solo Lobo” above the caliber and model markings, and a rendering of Texas behind the serrations, and the right side features a Texas Rangers star behind the serrations, “PRESENTED/UPON RETIREMENT” between the serrations and ejector port, “Captain/Manuel T. Gonzaullas” backed by a crucifix, and the metal-backed smooth grips inscribed “M/T/G” on the left and with a Rampant Colt-style horse in a desert scene on the right.
Additionally, the trigger guard has been “bobbed,” leaving the face of the trigger guard open and exposed. An included letter from Robert D. Moser, author of the book “Texas Iron: Guns of the Texas Rangers” notes that while there is no specific record of this pistol as the personal property of Captain Gonzaullas, famed Texas Ranger nicknamed “El Solo Lobo” (literally “The Lone Wolf”) for his ability to solve cases and handle situations on his own, the decoration and “bobbed” trigger guard are in line with his known opinions and preferences, the service dates line up with his record, and that the Captain was a very active collector of weapons, with “580 guns and other weapons” in his inventory; it’s certainly plausible that he received this pistol from an admirer upon his retirement. Included with the pistol is a padded leather case with extensive Texas Ranger-themed tooling, copies of Texas Iron, and the biography “Captain M.T. Gonzaullas: Lone Wolf” by Malsch.
