This shotgun was manufactured in 1883 and features shortened 20 1/8 Damascus barrels, a bead sight on the concave solid rib which is marked "PARKER BROS MAKERS. MERIDEN CONN. TWIST", light engraving at the breech of the barrels and on the lock plates and furniture, "PARKER BROS" marked locks, patent markings, matching serial numbers, and pistol grip stock with a blank escutcheon on the wrist and a smooth steel buttplate. The shotgun is accompanied by a "J.D. ESTEP/SAN SABA, TEX." marked brown leather scabbard, a "V.P. SANDERS/SHERIFF/BANDERA COUNTY/TEX." badge, and a "TOM YORK/SHERIFF/BANDERA COUNTY/TEXAS" marked badge. Both badges feature a spread wing eagle at the top and a five-pointed star at the center. The set is accompanied by information about Valerius P. Sanders and Tom York, including provenance documentation. In a March 7, 2001, letter from Jim Youlgaris, he indicates he came into possession of the Sanders badge and documentation and came into possession of the shotgun and scabbard later which states "was made obviously for Valerius Sanders..." and noted claims "Sanders was the only one armed Texas Ranger in the 19th century..." From his wording elsewhere in the letter, it would appear he got the items from the family in Texas and later sold them to Tom Power. A newspaper clipping states: "He served [i]n the Confederate army, and lost an arm in the service. After the Civil War he joined the Texas Rangers, and rendered good service on the frontier. Later he came to Bandera and held various positions here, as sheriff, county treasurer, and post master. He passed away at Uvalde, Texas, December 31, 1908, at the age of seventy-five years." The included Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum letter indicates that they could not find information on Valerius P. Sanders in their records after the Civil War, but additional included documents indicate he had served prior to the Civil War as a private in the 2nd Company of Texas Rangers from November 10, 1858, to May 10, 1859, under John S. Ford. Major Valerius P. Sander's grave indicates he was born in 1833 and died in 1908 and was a major in the 15th Texas Cavalry during the Civil War. The Texas State Historical Association's biography of Sanders written by David Park provides additional information. Sanders was born in Tennessee and enlisted in Company A of the 15th Texas Cavalry on January 1, 1862, at San Antonio, Texas, and was promoted to captain on March 10, 1862, when they mustered in. "At the unit's first engagement on July 8, 1862, near Batesville, Arkansas, Sanders was singled out for 'signal coolness and bravery' by the Fifteenth's commanding officer Col. George H. Sweet." The unit was dismounted on July 24, 1862, and served as infantry for the remainder of the war. Sanders was promoted to major on October 21, 1862. He was captured at Arkansas Post on January 10, 1863, and became sick with pneumonia while captive. He was sent to City Point, Virginia, on April 29, 1863, to be exchanged, and he became a field officer of the combined 6th, 10th, and 15th regiments and fought at Chickamauga where Sanders was seriously wounded in his right arm leading to amputation. He retired from service on September 6, 1864. He moved to Bandera, Texas, and served as the postmaster from 1893 to 1897 and later as the county treasurer. In a list of Bandera County sheriffs covering 1856 to 1904, Sanders is listed as the sheriff in 1888-1892. He was followed by L.W. Stevens who served until 1900 and then Thomas Marion York who served as sheriff until 1904. Provenance: The Jim Youlgaris Collection; The Tom Power Collection; The Tony Croce Collection; The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection

Very good with faded original finish mixed with smooth dark brown and gray patina, minor oxidation, and general mild overall wear. The refinished wood is also good with some faint cracks coming off of the rear of the left lock, traces of checkering on the wrist, and minor wear. Mechanically fine. The badges are very good with minor wear mostly from age. The scabbard is also very good with some mild wear.