Once in the while an item, or two, of major interest finds its' way into a collectors hands. That's the case with the above gun and badge. This collector acquired these items a few months ago. They hang in my retirement "museum" with the countless "things " I have obtained over the last few (40) years.
The gun is a reminder of my days as a young boy. I watched, on that new thing called television, my favorite cowboy shows. Of course my homework had to be done or I might get a whack from my Dad with his nightstick. The heroes back then were: Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and Hopalong Cassidy. They were always after some cattle rustler or a train robber. The good guys had white hats, and always won.
Most of these guys carried silver revolvers. The Lone Ranger even shot silver bullets. If I remember correctly, these "cowboys" shot about 30 rounds without reloading. I guess they were carrying the first "automatics."
The gun above is certainly not made of silver. It only holds six rounds, and they were not made of silver. The gun is just a .36 caliber relic from the real West. It is believed to have been used in the Arizona-New Mexico territories during the 1890's. On its own it is not a collectors treasure. But this gun also carries a name engraved on the back strap: "H. W. Loomis "Deputy U.S. Marshal." This may enhance the value of this old "Six Shooter."
The badge, pictured above, is really sterling silver, or at least it has the word "sterling" stamped on the back left side. On the back right side is what appears to be a hallmark: "A&G". In the lower rear panel there is a name: "H. W. Loomis." These matching engravings of the Loomis name make the gun and badge at least interesting.
Since obtaining these items I learned "Will Loomis" was in fact a U.S.Marshal. He served in New Mexico, for ten years, prior to Statehood. My favorite source of information, "The New York Times," reported (Oct.3, 1896) in an article titled "Noted Train Robber Killed," that the "High Five Gang" attempted to rob an Atlantic & Pacific Train, about 4 miles outside Albuquerque. New Mexico. They "hit" the train at a water station called Rio Puerto. "Will" Loomis just happened to be on that train. There was a gun battle and an outlaw, Cole Young, "bought the ranch" that day. According to the Times the outlaw was shot by Loomis using his revolver. Better sources say Loomis used a shotgun, hitting Young with two blasts to the chest area. Either way Mr. Young, a.k.a, Cole Estes died that day. He was buried in Albuquerque's Fairview Cemetery Oct 5, 1896.
If Loomis was working today he would be one of my heroes. He too had fondness of the government expense account. Loomis, I have learned, was the first U.S. Marshall to be allowed to submit his expenses without a receipt. It was argued that he would be ineffective as an "undercover officer" if he had to ask Saloon keepers for receipts. Of course in granting him this status, the "wise ones" in Washington D.C. decreed that he could not arrest anyone. Some thinking never seems to change.
Beyond the above reported facts this writer knows little about H.W.Loomis. There are a few career tidbits, but nothing regarding his personal life: Was he married? Did he have kids? When did he die? The questions go on, and on.
This collector believes Loomis owned this gun at one time essentially because of the engraving. Why put someone Else's name on a gun that was old even back in the 1890's. The badge, however, does not appear to be of the same time frame. It is newer. The theory is it was a "later life gift" that a now older Loomis, or family member, obtained to put on display with the above gun.
Any information on this gun, or badge, or H.W.Loomis, as they said in that old TV cowboy show, is: WANTED, DEAD OR ALIVE. (denb22@gmail.com)
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