In 1896 this gun belonged to US Marshal Horace W. Loomis. It has been in my collection for seven years or so.
According to the New York Times, Loomis using his revolver shot and killed the outlaw Code (y) Young during a failed train robbery in Rio Puerco, New Mexico in October of 1896.
The truth is the NY Times was wrong in their account of the killing of Mr. Young. Research reveals that Young was nailed by Loomis using a shotgun. I don't have that weapon, but it would have been nice to see it hanging on my wall too.
The Wells Fargo Company kept a chronological record of famous robberies. They described this as Robbery number 62. The incident has also been described in a book entitled: "The Last of the Old Time Outlaws." Its' focus was on the only surviving member of the gang - Will Musgrave. He lived until 1947.
Eleven years after the robbery incident (1907) William Pinkerton, in an address to the International Association of Chief's of Police in Jamestown Va. described this train robbery again, the fate of the five outlaws, and the hero - H W Loomis. Pinkerton concluded his remarks that history shows "Crime does not pay." This weapon is a nice reflection of the history to which Pinkerton was referring. It is nice to look at, and to occasionally hold. It is History.
For me it is time to let this old gun move on. If you have an interest send me a note at "jerseychief@gmail.com." I am also open to trade offers (want badges from Newark, NJ).
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