If you are currently not on branch master, that's super easy:

git branch -f master 1258f0d0aae

This does exactly what you want: It points master at the given commit, and does nothing else.

If you are currently on master, you need to get into detached head state first. I'd recommend the following two command sequence:

git checkout 1258f0d0aae    #detach from master
git branch -f master HEAD   #exactly as above

#optionally reattach to master
git checkout master

Be aware, though, that any explicit manipulation of where a branch points has the potential to leave behind commits that are no longer reachable by any branches, and thus become object to garbage collection. So, think before you type git branch -f!

This method is better than the git reset --hard approach, as it does not destroy anything in the index or working directory.

If you are currently not on branch master, that's super easy:

git branch -f master 1258f0d0aae

This does exactly what you want: It points master at the given commit, and does nothing else.

If you are currently on master, you need to get into detached head state first. I'd recommend the following two command sequence:

git checkout 1258f0d0aae    #detach from master
git branch -f master HEAD   #exactly as above

#optionally reattach to master
git checkout master

Be aware, though, that any explicit manipulation of where a branch points has the potential to leave behind commits that are no longer reachable by any branches, and thus become object to garbage collection. So, think before you type git branch -f!

This method is better than the git reset --hard approach, as it does not destroy anything in the index or working directory.