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THBHistoric Colt Model 1878 DA Revolver Presented to Sheriff of S.F.
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
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About Auction
LiveApr 29, 2015 - Apr 30, 2015
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (734)
- Lot Description
.45 caliber, 5.5” barrel, S/N 12246. Nickel finish, checkered black hard rubber grips. Lanyard ring present. With period inscription on backstrap “Presented to Peter Hopkins, Sheriff of City & County S.F., 1885;” with documents binder.
Accompanying this Colt is a copy of a photo of Sheriff Hopkins and copies of period newspaper articles covering some of his actions while Sheriff including his officiating at two Court-ordered hangings and his thwarting of the attempts of a mob, in 1886, to lynch an alleged murderer of a popular young girl while he was being held in Hopkins’ custody during trial.
Peter Hopkins was born in St. Louis, Missouri. After fighting in the Mexican War of 1846, he came to California and moved to San Francisco. He served as that City & County’s Sheriff during the years of 1885 and 1886. During that time, he was also the City’s Fire Commissioner. Interestingly, one of the copies of newspaper articles contained in the documents binder (San Francisco Bulletin; February 6, 1885) announces a gathering of individuals at the Sheriff’s house where he was presented
“a very valuable and handsome gold badge ...surmounted by an American eagle bearing the arms of San Francisco county ...the center of the badge is enameled with the stars and stripes in red, white and blue ...the words ‘Sheriff. San Francisco’ appear on the badge with the monogram ‘P.H.’ beautifully worked in diamonds in the center ...the inscription on the reverse reads ‘Presented to Peter Hopkins by his friends. 1885.’”
Is it possible the Colt was presented at the same time and not reported to the press?
This gun was previously in the famous Charles du Pont collection until the year after his death (2009). It has since been in the collection of our consignor.
A great piece of early California and San Francisco law enforcement history worthy of display in any public museum or serious private collection.This Colt is in overall very good + condition showing considerable original finish with losses primarily on part of the cylinder and on the right rear side of the frame. The back of the hammer displays considerable original niter blue finish as do a couple of the revolver’s screw heads. The action and bore are very good, the markings sharp and the grips are very good to near fine.Condition
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