The Game of Scarlet Ranger is a rare board game from the 1940’s by Whitman Publishing. It is actually 3 board games in one box: The Scarlet Ranger, The Lone Rider, and Stage Coach. Even though all 3 are simple race style games, it offers a fascinating look into the lure and popularity of the Wild West at that time.

I’m sure we have all heard of The Lone Ranger, but The Scarlet Ranger is almost unknown, except for in this game. I assume from the image on the box cover, the origin of his name comes from his ‘scarlet attire’. And from the age of the game, he could be just a spinoff of the Lone Ranger. ( I’m not sure. If anyone has more info on a ‘Scarlet Ranger’, please let me know! )

The Lone Ranger first made his appearance on a radio show in 1933.  This series became a wild hit. Books, comic books, television shows, movies, and even the Lone Ranger board game (1938) were produced and published for his demand. All featured the masked character who fought outlaws in the Wild West. The mystery of who he was, along with his trusty companion, Tonto, led to his appeal.

The Scarlet Ranger wears not a mask, but from the objectives seen in the game, he was in pursuit of bringing the Outlaws of the Wild West to justice, just like The Lone Ranger!

The game boards are the boxes themselves.  Many games of the past have the bottom of the box displaying the board. However, what is not often found, is the top of the box also displaying a board! This makes this game particularly unique for it uses both the top and bottom of the box to display games.

The game of Scarlet Ranger is for 4 players: One player is The Scarlet Ranger, one player is an Indian Guide, and the other two players are the Posse.  The objective is to reach the space ‘Outlaws Caught’ first.  This is achieved by spinning the spinner, moving accordingly, and reaching the space by an exact count.

The next game in the instruction booklet is Lone Rider. This game is in the box top and for 4 players as well.  One player is the Lone Rider, all others Indians. The Lone Rider moves one space at a time along the Trail, in any direction, keeping within two spaces of the Trail.  He begins on the red space of Independence.  The Indians begin on the Indian image and moves one space at a time towards the Trail. If the Lone Rider reaches Santa Fe without being caught, or captures all the Indians, he wins. An Indian player wins by capturing the Lone Rider.

The captures are determined by moving onto a space next to the player wanting to be captured. The spinner determines the outcome. If the Lone Rider is trying to capture an Indian, he must spin a 6. If captured, the Indian is removed from the board. If a 5 is spun, the Indian is merely wounded and must go back 3 spaces. 

If an Indian is trying to capture the Lone Rider, he must spin an 1. If captured, the Indian wins the game.

Simple, yet fun.

The final game is Stage Coach. It too is in the box top, but for 2 to 4 players. Each player is a stagecoach driver. They begin on the red space at Independence and spin the spinner to move accordingly.  The first player to reach Santa Fe wins the game.

It is the colorful graphics and objectives to the games, showing a glance into the past, that make this a great game to add to any collection.  I was happy to share it here today.

Enjoy playing a game today! 

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