The famous John's Restaurant of Dashiell Hammett / Sam Spade fame once had a reportedly "original" falcon on display. SFPD had a unit to specifically guard the bird during a special public display and it was kept overnight at the Northern District Police Station in the evidence safe (there is a funny story about that night, but I can't share it until all the cops involved have retired :rolleyes ). That falcon was later put on premanent display at the restaurant but was eventually stolen. That investigation is still open.
The owner commissioned a local artist to sculpt a replacement based on screen caps and publicity photos. I was able to obtain one from him, here it is:
I believe the owner of the restaurant will sell copies of this version if contacted. Mine is inscribed # xxx of xxx so it appears they did a run of these. I'm really happy with mine, and the finish is very nice. No holes or flaws, crisp detailing on the feet and a really smooth finish (paint, I presume).
A fellow RPF'r was doing a Sam Spade project and asked if I could do some research. I met alot of Dashiell Hammett / Sam Spade junkies along the way and it was an interesting investigation. The line between Hammett's life and haunts and those of his character Sam Spade was very, very thin. I researched where Hammett really lived, hung out and where Spade lived and worked and hung out ... some locations overlapped. They even give walking tours of some of those locations.
I had the badge shown created based on badge designs for special officers and private investigators used in the Sam Spade era. In the photo I used the badge to cover the inscription on the front of the plynth.
The owner commissioned a local artist to sculpt a replacement based on screen caps and publicity photos. I was able to obtain one from him, here it is:

I believe the owner of the restaurant will sell copies of this version if contacted. Mine is inscribed # xxx of xxx so it appears they did a run of these. I'm really happy with mine, and the finish is very nice. No holes or flaws, crisp detailing on the feet and a really smooth finish (paint, I presume).
A fellow RPF'r was doing a Sam Spade project and asked if I could do some research. I met alot of Dashiell Hammett / Sam Spade junkies along the way and it was an interesting investigation. The line between Hammett's life and haunts and those of his character Sam Spade was very, very thin. I researched where Hammett really lived, hung out and where Spade lived and worked and hung out ... some locations overlapped. They even give walking tours of some of those locations.
I had the badge shown created based on badge designs for special officers and private investigators used in the Sam Spade era. In the photo I used the badge to cover the inscription on the front of the plynth.
Last edited: