HORACE W. LOOMIS
CHIEF DEPUTY, US MARSHAL
NEW MEXICO TERRITORY
1886 - 1896
This badge has been the Crown Jewel of my collection up until now. It was a fabulous find nearly a decade ago, when I found it in an antique store. I couldn't let it sit there, even though it wasn't from my primary focus - Newark, N.J. I am always looking for that City.
When I first purchased it, I reached out to a couple auction houses, and had all sorts of dollar value set on it - heck one even thought five figures was possible. We all know "Beauty" is in the hands of the beholder. So, I will not be asking five figures, but I would like $3999.00 or b/o to build my wife's retirement fund. Believe me, She is encouraging me to sell this piece of history.
Now, before you close the page, just take a moment, and look at what is being offered closely.
FIRST, the picture below. It is an up close "front view" of a beautiful six point star. It shows four panels that read: UNITED STATES, DEPUTY MARSHAL, NEW MEXICO, TERR.
At center is an early styled Seal with a red, white and blue stars and stripes surrounded by a small wreath. The picture reveals this badge to be in very very good condition.
SECOND are two pictures of the "rear view" of this silver star. This is where the "important information" is located.
Starting in the upper left, there is the word "Sterling." It is quite small, and is best seen in the zoomed in photo. To make sure you know it is silver, the word sterling is also spread out on the right side of the second panel. That makes two markings for silver.
On the Right side, of the top panel, are the letters "A & G" which is the makers mark or the Hallmark. On the left t side of the second panel are some engraved markings. To my eye this is a date: 1101 11, or 'NKG." It took me years to find, and try to identify it. I can't say for sure that it is a date, but that is my best guess.
Look at the bottom panel. Inside are the letters: "H W LOOMIS." This was his badge, as his name is inside it. There is no doubt as to who's badge this once was. From the appearance, this is not a "working or duty badge," but a Presentation Badge. It rests in a presentation box as shown above.
Look at the bottom panel. Inside are the letters: "H W LOOMIS." This was his badge, as his name is inside it. There is no doubt as to who's badge this once was. From the appearance, this is not a "working or duty badge," but a Presentation Badge. It rests in a presentation box as shown above
I do not know exactly when this badge was made, but because it is marked "TERR." I am assuming it was made before New Mexico became a State in 1912. I know from contact with the Dept. of Justice, that Horace "Will" Loomis left the Marshal's Service in 1896 as Chief Deputy.
Shortly before leaving the Marshal's Office, Loomis was riding as a passenger from Gallup, NM to Albuquerque, NM. When the train stopped at a Water Station there was some unusual noise outside the train cars. Loomis didn't know it at first, but the train was being robbed. He got off the train with his shotgun. He walked along the track until he saw an outlaw, later identified as Code(y) Young, a member of a well known gang called the High Fives.
This gang made a lot of successful bank and train robberies prior to Oct. 3 1893. That day was not a success story for the 19 year old robber. Young died in Rio Puerco N.M. as his outlaw buddies scattered. They were soon killed or captured, with the exception of George Musgrave who lived until 1947. His History is chronicled in the book: "Last of the Oldtime Outlaws" (Karen & John Tanner, University of Oklahoma Press.)"
While there is more to the story of Will Loomis, his badge is the only memorabilia that I possess. Now it is time to let it go.
So the asking price is $3999.00
Contact Dennis at: jerseychief@gmail.com
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