Highly Desirable Documented Colt Mk. IV Series 80 Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol Inscribed to Captain Jay Banks of the Texas Rangers

A historically significant Colt Government Model with direct Texas Rangers provenance, this 1985-manufactured pistol is inscribed to Captain E.J. “Jay” Banks, one of the most recognizable Texas Rangers of the 20th century and the model for the famous “One Riot, One Ranger” statue.

• Manufactured in 1985 by Colt as a Government Model pistol
• Subsequently non-factory inscribed on the right side of the slide:
  • “CAPT. JAY BANKS”
  • “TEXAS RANGERS”
• Associated with Texas Rangers Captain E.J. “Jay” Banks (1912–1987), a notable lawman with a long and highly collectible Texas history connection
• Includes an accompanying note from Joe W. Watson documenting provenance:
  • Watson states that Banks purchased the pistol from him
  • The pistol was then inscribed and sold back to Watson
  • Watson later sold it to Jerry C. Landrum in 1988
• Grips carry additional Texas Rangers provenance:
  • Watson notes the grips were made by a retired Texas Ranger
  • The grips were presented to each Ranger at the reunion in Fort Fisher in May 1986
• Jay Banks’ career adds strong historical and collector appeal:
  • Served in the Coast Guard during World War II
  • Served as a Texas Highway Patrolman for nine years
  • Served as a Texas Ranger from 1947 to 1960
  • After retirement, served as police chief of Big Spring, Texas
  • Also served as police chief of Palestine, Texas
  • Also served as police chief of Gladewater, Texas
• Banks is famously known as the subject of the “One Riot, One Ranger” statue:
  • The statue stood at Dallas Love Field beginning in 1961
  • It was modeled after Jay Banks
  • The statue was removed in 2020 due to Banks’ involvement in disputes over the integration of Texas schools in the mid-1950s
  • As of March 2026, the statue has been installed in the left field concourse at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball team
• Standard Colt markings remain present:
  • Left side of the slide has the standard series marking followed by the Rampant Colt emblem
  • Right side of the slide has the model marking
  • Right side of the frame has the one-line address and serial number
  • Chamber hood of the bright barrel is marked “-COLT 45 AUTO-”
• Equipped with classic blade and notch sights
• Fitted with a distinctive pair of chrome-plated grips featuring:
  • Skeletonized Texas Rangers badges at the center
  • Rosettes around the grip screws
• Includes a generic hard case

With its Colt manufacture, documented ownership chain, Texas Rangers presentation-style grips, and direct connection to Captain Jay Banks and the “One Riot, One Ranger” legacy, this Government Model stands out as a highly desirable historical and law-enforcement collectible.