The Evolution of the Featherwinged Salmon Flies - The Rangers continued

The Black Ranger, to the extent of my research so far, can be said to be the oldest of the Ranger patterns. Opinions are much less divided as to who it was that invented it, or when it was invented then they are with the Durham Ranger. Francis Francis does not mention it, neither does the normally vocal Kelson, and equally silent is Hardy, who never credits the inventor anyway.  Pryce-Tannatt says nothing, neither does Hale who doesn’t even list it.

On the other hand, Maxwell, while not listing an actual pattern for the Black Ranger states in his remarks the following informative paragraph:  “The ‘Ranger’ wing is a recognized peculiarity of a class of flies known as the Rangers.  The bodies are varied: in the Black Ranger, it is all black wool; in the Silver Ranger it is of silver tinsel, and so on.  The Ranger originated with Mr. Forrest of Kelso.”  Since we are pretty sure that the Black Ranger is the oldest, then it seems that Maxwell is saying that it was Mr. Forrest who was the inventor. 

The Black Ranger appears also in William Henderson’s “My Life as and Angler” published in 1879 by W. Satchell, Peyton & Co. London. On page 219 we see an entry dated Nov. 10, 1860, for a Ranger (black body) that brought in two salmon, of 18 and 23lbs respectively.  Whether or not this was a black fur body or black silk body is not described.  James Wright is mentioned many times in this book, often in conjunction with fly tying, him being a master fly tier after-all.  I can not seem to find any specific mention of his having invented the Black Ranger pattern however. 

Mikael Frodin, while listing/showing Kelson’s pattern, asserts that it is James Wright who invented the pattern in 1840.  I find this interesting because, regardless of who actually invented the pattern, as far as I have been able to ascertain, Francis Francis’s is the earliest written pattern, not Kelson’s.  Kelson's Black Ranger is not even the most popular, Pryce-Tannatt's is, judging by the number of Black Rangers tied with jungle cock as cheeks.  So with having said this, I present the Black Ranger as per Francis Francis
 Black Ranger as per Francis Francis 1867

Tip: silver twist
Tag: golden silk
Tail: topping plus Indian crow
Butt: black herl
Body: 2 or 3 turns golden floss, ditto bright fiery red pigs wool,
          remainder black pigs wool
Ribbing: silver tinsel and twist
Hackle: very dark blue from the red
Throat: black
Wing: double tippets over 2 long jungle cock, topping over
Cheeks: kingfisher
Horns: blue macaw

While the above pattern is, to my knowledge the oldest written pattern, it is not the oldest mention as I have shown so far.  Henderson mentions the black bodied Ranger as early as 1860, and somebody must know where the citation is for any earlier information.  I believe that Kelson’s Black Ranger is probably as close to Henderson’s as it is possible to get given how different Francis Francis’s pattern is.  That being said though, Hardy’s pattern might as well be the same.  In fact, Leonard’s pattern also could be the original.  It would be interesting to know where these patterns all came from. There is even a lovely illustration of a Black Ranger in William E. Hodgeson's,  “Salmon Fishing” 1920, that appears to correspond to the pattern by Hardy.  I could not find it there-in described in writing however. 
 Black Ranger as per George Mortimer Kelson 1897

Tip: silver twist
Tag: yellow floss
Tail: topping plus Indian crow
Butt: black herl
Body: black silk
Ribbing: oval silver
Hackle: natural black from second turn,
Throat: light blue throat
Wing: double tippets over 2 long jungle cock, topping over
Cheeks: chatterer
Horns: blue macaw
Head: black wool

The Black Ranger as per Hardy is virtually identical to the one given by Kelson.  It differs only in having a flat silver rib, and a bare black head.  With this in mind, I did not feel it necessary to tie one for this article.  I present the pattern however, directly from Hardy, for the reader to compare for themselves. 
Black Ranger as per John James Hardy
Tip: silver thread
Tag: yellow floss
Tail: topping plus Indian crow
Butt: black herl
Body: black floss
Ribbing: flat silver
Hackle: black
Throat: light blue
Wing: double tippets over 2 long jungle cock, topping over
Horns: blue and yellow macaw

Dr. T. E. Pryce-Tannatts lovely version is presented here.  It is, in my opinion the most dressy version of this pattern and the most popular.
 Black Ranger as per Dr. T. E. Pryce-Tannatt 1914

Tip: silver thread
Tag: yellow floss
Tail: topping plus Indian crow
Butt: black herl
Body: black floss
Ribbing: flat silver and twist
Hackle: black
Throat: deep blue
Wing: double tippets over 2 long jungle cock, topping over
Shoulder: jungle cock
Cheeks:  chatterer
Horns: blue and yellow macaw

J. Edson Leonard's version is the most recent I have found described, and yet for all intents and purposes could very well be the original pattern.  Since I have not found the original pattern described, just dates for approximately when it came into being, the actual look of the original is any ones guess.  This version certainly bears a lot of the hallmarks of an older pattern though.  The tail of topping and Indian crow, black seal body, black full body hackle and basic, unadorned Ranger wing come as close as any of the above, and in my opinion, as most of the oldest patterns I have seen had fur bodies, I think it comes closest to being the original. 
Black Ranger as per J. Edson Leonard 1950

Tip: silver twist
Tag: yellow floss
Tail: topping plus Indian crow
Butt: black herl
Body: black seal
Ribbing: silver
Hackle: black palmer
Wing: double tippets over 2 long jungle cock, topping over
Cheeks: chatterer
Horns: blue macaw
Head: black herl