Manufactured in 1880-1884. This near full coverage New York engraved example was presented to former Governor of Louisiana William Pitt Kellogg (1830-1918) after his was elected to the United States House of Representatives in the election of 1882 by his friend A.J. Dumont. Kellogg’s political career is notable as he was one of the most successful and important “carpetbaggers,” Northern politicians who established political careers in the South, during the Reconstruction era (1865-1877). Few of his fellow Republicans maintained power in the South as long as Kellogg. The Reconstruction era was a pivotal and turbulent moment in American history as it marked the abolishment of slavery and the reintegration of Southern states following the Civil War. Many historians have argued that you cannot understand today’s America without understanding Reconstruction. At the age of 18 William Kellogg moved from his native Vermont to the State of Illinois where he studied law, eventually opening a law office in Canton, Illinois. He joined the Republican Party and met Abraham Lincoln, who shorty after becoming President of the United States in 1861, appointed Kellogg as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Nebraska Territory. Kellogg left his position with the Court at the outbreak of the Civil War to become a colonel in the 7th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry and commanded the regiment until ill health required him to resign in 1862 but not before playing a pivotal role in a small battle in Sikeston, Missouri, where his men encountered Confederate forces preparing for the Battle of Island Number Ten. After resigning from the army, Kellogg returned to Nebraska to resume his position as Chief Justice. At the end of the Civil War and just days before his assassination, President Lincoln appointed Kellogg as the federal collector of customs of the port of New Orleans. This was to be the beginning of his long and historic political career in the State of Louisiana as well as his friendship with A. J. Dumont. As a child, Dumont’s father emigrated to Mexico, taking his son with him. Some years after, Dumont senior, committed suicide in Mexico. A. J. joined the Army, supported Maximilian and rose to the rank of lieutenant. Upon the downfall of the emperor returned to New Orleans, where he entered upon a political career, first as sergeant of police, then captain of the Algiers district, and later as recorder, then as State senator, inspector of customs, examiner in the appraiser's department; then as deputy collector, and afterward naval officer. He was the chairman of the Republican State Central Committee and represented the party at two national Republican conventions. In addition, he owned one of the first all Negro Baseball Teams in the 1880’s. He completed suicide in 1885 at the age of 41, a fate that had also befallen his father at a young age. Much more research should be done on Dumont, as he was obviously a fascinating character. Kellogg served in the United States Senate from 1868 to 1872, served as the Governor of Louisiana from 1873 to 1877 and then again served as a U.S. Senator from Louisiana from 1877 to 1883. During the election of 1882, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served one term from 1883 to 1885 as he was defeated for reelection in 1884 by Democrat Edward James Gay. As stated, this revolver was presented to Kellogg for his successful House bid in 1882. He is one of only a few incumbent Senators to be elected to the House of Representatives. After his defeat in the election of 1884 Kellogg remained in Washington, D.C. where he died in 1918. Kellogg is perhaps best remembered for the gubernatorial race of 1872 that threw the Louisiana state government into disarray as both gubernatorial candidates, Democrat John McEnery and Republican Kellogg, declared victory. The election of 1872 is a prime example of Reconstruction political tensions turning violent. The State Returning Board, which validated all election returns, refused to call Kellogg the winner and instead declared McEnery, governor. In response, an opposing election board was established to declare Kellogg the winner. The two governments operated separately until the dispute reached a climax on September 14, 1874, with the Battle of Liberty Place, or Battle of Canal Street, an attempted insurrection by McEnery supporters against the Reconstruction era Louisiana state government. The McEnery faction occupied the State House for three days, ending when President Grant threatened to send federal troops to restore order. Other violent events linked to the election dispute included the Colfax massacre, considered the worst instance of racial violence during Reconstruction that left between 62 and 153 black militia men killed by a mob of ex-Confederate soldiers and Ku Klux Klan members. The Kellogg’s presentation inscription on this revolver is featured on both of the pearl grip panels. The right panel reads, “A.J. DUMONT/to his friend/GOV. WM. P. KELLOGG.” The left panel references Kellogg’s victorious 1882 election bid for the U.S. House of Representatives. The inscription reads, “Souvenir/Political Campaign/1882.”

Exceptionally fine, retaining 90% plus original nickel plating. 85% original gold plating remains on the hammer, cylinder and trigger guard. The engraving is crisp. This presentation New York engraved S&W .38 Double Action Revolver is a historically significant piece of Reconstruction Era history that transcends collecting genres.