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John A. Kopec was born on July 10, 1927, in Los Angeles, California, to
Albert and Stella Kopec, John graduated from Manual Arts High School
in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1945. Following high school, he served in the
Coast Guard Merchant Marines for four years, sailing on various ships.
In June 1950, John married the love of his life, Ruth V. Zimmermann, and
together they shared an extraordinary 74 years of marriage. They had a
son, Jerry and a daughter Lynette, along with three grandchildren and
nine great grandchildren. In 1951, they purchased their first home in La
Puente, Calif., and around the same time, they opened their first business,
Eastland Tropical Fish Hatchery in City of Industry, Calif. In the mid
1960’s they opened Hacienda Aquatics (tropical fish store), also in La
Puente. In the early 1970s, they sold the business so John could pursue
his true passion - the Colt Single Action Army revolver. John started a
Single Action hammer repair business, and began the huge undertaking
of collecting data, to write his first book A Study of the Colt Single
Action Revolver, first published in 1976. John was a passionate author
of several books, and a nationally recognized expert in the field of the
Colt Single Action Army revolvers. John had a deep love for learning
about the history of antique Colts, and authenticating them. John was
interested in about anything regarding the Wild West.
He also enjoyed tinkering with his Model A Ford. Years ago, he
enjoyed raising goats, and fish. John and Ruth cherished their travels,
particularly trips to antique shows, the desert, and to Hawaii. Known for
his honesty and great sense of humor, John was deeply respected in his
community.
John and Ruth moved to Whitmore, Calif. in 1982, and later moved
to Redding. John was an active member of the Redding Rambling A’s
Model A Club, and also the Shasta Arms Collectors. John was always
eager to share his knowledge and passions with others. A man of great
faith, he was also known as a devoted prayer warrior.
In April 2022, John was honored with a Special Recognition award from
the United States House of Representatives, presented by Congressman
Doug LaMalfa of California’s 1st District.
One of John’s favorite childhood memories was flying in the Goodyear
Blimp with his father, an aerial photographer in Los Angeles.
John passed just thirty days after his official retirement date, and in an ending fitting his lifelong love with Ruth, just
thirty-three hours after John passed, she followed him.
John Kopec will forever be the definitive voice on Colt Cavalry Single Actions. His passion, scholarship, research
and letters will continue to educate and inspire future generation of collectors, and for that, we all owe him a debt of
gratitude. When Mr. Kopec passed earlier this year, the world lost an amazing human being, and the gun business lost
an icon. As his website states “John was engaged in the authentication of the U.S. military Colt Single Action revolvers
for the general public from the mid 1970’s until March 2024. At that time, he semi-retired, and exclusively wrote
authentication letters for Rock Island Auction Company. His expertise is accepted authority within the Colt collecting
fraternity.” This is a favor we never asked of him – he volunteered. It was an act of selflessness borne out of a lifelong
passion. Thank you for everything, Mr. Kopec.
The Finest Known Documented 1880
Production Colt Cavalry Model Single
Action Revolver with John Kopec
Letter of Authentication