Can Anyone Help With This???

[Bullet Caster]

A WWII friend of mine gave me this silver bullet before he passed away; it's a .45 Long Colt. He told me that these were given away by the REA Rail Ways and were very rare. Does anyone have one of these or any information on it? Thanking you in advance for any and all replies. BChttp://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_211414f09d6a8d2143.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3343)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_211414f09d7d64cc1c.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3344)It says on the bottom:
Hi-Yo REA Awaaay!

[Mk42gunner]

Sounds to me like something from the 1940's or 50's, trying to cash in on the popularity of the Lone Ranger.

Hav you tried googling it?

Robert

[Bullet Caster]

Thanks for the reply. Haven't thought of googling it. Good suggestion. I'll try that.

I can remember Clayton Powell playing "The Lone Ranger" and his horse named Silver. Guess REA was tryin' to cash in on that old series I enjoyed as a kid. Thanks. BC

[Bullet Caster]

Ooops, I mean Clayton Moore. Musta had a brain f**t. BC

[Kraschenbirn]

"REA" was not a railroad (or railway) per se. "REA" stood for 'Railway Express Agency" who were, essentially, freight forwarding agents handling small shipments for individuals...kind of a forerunner to UPS without the "to your door" delivery. I remember when I was discharged from the Army in 1969, we shipped our household goods from Ft. Bragg, NC to Illinois via REA. That "Hi-Yo REA Away" is an advertising take-off from the old Lone Ranger sign-off at the end of each show..."High-Ho, Silver, Away" as he rode off into the sunset. (Silver was the Lone Ranger's horse).

Bill

[Bullet Caster]

I think that during the series run on TV the Lone Ranger would leave a silver bullet with those that he'd helped. So the REA agents would dress in cowboy fashion and leave a silver bullet behind as a slogan they could help with all shipping aspects. BC