Even though this is not a Smith & Wesson, I'm going to slip it in here anyways. Some of you have probably seen this; I've posted it in an older NYPD thread before.
This Colt Police Positive was the property of Officer William L. Kavanagh of the New York City Police Department. I know this because he not only had his shield number stamped on the butt, as required, but also his name engraved on the side plate.
The gun shipped to the Audley company (of holster fame) in 1915, at which time its place of business was 8 Centre Market Place, a side street running along the back side of the old NY police headquarters at 240 Centre Street. A lot of police supply and gun stores resided there at one time, including Jovino and Herold.
Assuming Officer Kavanagh likely took possession of the gun sometime in early 1916, it is reasonable to assume that it patrolled some part of New York City all through Prohibition and the Roaring 20's. Now that's the kind of historical baggage I like on my collectibles.
The last reference I found to Kavanagh was as a detective in 1936.
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