Rampant Lion Collections - Heart of the Lion

Descended from the Andalusian "black cattle," the Texas Longhorn, cousin of Spanish fighting bulls, is known for his vitality, endurance, and toughness, as well as his gigantic set of horns. His ability to rapidly adapt to the stark conditions of the vast plains of Texas and the Midwest led to his supplanting the buffalo as the dominant hoofed animal of the plains. Texans called the longhorn "wilder than deer and 50 times more dangerous to footmen than the fiercest buffalo." The early settlers of the American West depended on the single-shot long rifle as the firearm of choice. It wasn't until 1831 when Samuel Colt patented a .34 caliber revolver capable of firing several rounds before reloading that the settlers became increasingly dominant over the Indians and buffalo. In 1873, the most famous pistol of all, the legendary "Peacemaker" .45 Colt single action revolver, was developed. And the "Peacemaker" is still in production today. The United States Marshal's Service, established in 1879, is the oldest law enforcement agency in the country. For more than 100 years, marshals and deputy marshals were the only Federal officials with power of arrest. They were responsible almost exclusively for the maintenance of law and order on the American frontier. Famous marshals include "Wild Bill" Hickok, Wyatt Earp, and Bat Masterson.

Our Ring That Tamed the West is appointed with the essential elements of frontier life: A U.S. Marshal's badge, a Colt .45 pistol, Texas Longhorns, and sheaves of grain.