Lot 558A
AL CAPONE`S .38 CALIBER REVOLVER
(1899 - 1947) American gangster and Chicago mob giant, he orchestrated the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, wiping-out Bugs Moran's gang and ruled over the nation's largest criminal enterprise. Capone was eventually nabbed on tax evasion charges and passed a comfortable eight years in prison. We offer what is arguably one of the best crime-related items ever offered, Al Capone's personal Colt Police Positive .38 Special revolver. The silver chromed revolver, serial no. 384221, bears a four inch barrel, Colt logo stamped on the left side, with factory-original wood grips with Colt logos in relief. Colt records indicate that this pistol was manufactured in 1939, the year Capone was released from federal prison. This historic weapon originates from the estate of Ralph "Bottles" Capone (1893-1974). While closely linked to the activities of his younger brother, Al, Ralph never became a top Chicago mobster or racketeer, such as Sam "Momo" Giancana, Paul Ricca & Tony Accardo. As was his brother, Ralph was also imprisoned for income tax evasion, and was said to have been involved in the national syndicate's gambling and vice rackets, but such charges were never proven. He was given the nickname "Bottles" because he operated a legitimate business distributing bottled water in Chicago. Ralph's relationship with brother Al was a close one, and the two spent a great deal of time in Mercer, Wisconsin for rest and relaxation, with Ralph settling in the resort town permanently. At some point in time, likely within a few years of his release from prison, Ralph was entrusted with the care of some of Al's possessions, including among other things his rosary, baptismal medal, and this pistol. Upon Ralph's death, the relics were passed on to his widow, Madeleine Capone, and per the terms of Ralph's will, the gun was given to longtime friend Edmund Koeski in 1976. The pistol, in apparent working order, was sold to our consignor at the Butterfield's Arms and Armor sale of July, 2000. The lot is sold with a copy of the Butterfield catalog listing, a letter from Ralph's wife Madeleine sending the relics to her agent, a copy of Mrs. Capone's notarized statement concerning Al's ownership of the pistol and fully identifying it including its serial number, and a press release from Butterfields. By way of comparison, in December, 1991 Jack Ruby's Colt Cobra .38 Special, the gun used to kill Lee Harvey Oswald, was sold at auction for in excess of $200,000, and Buffalo Bill's pistol sold in 1998 for in excess of $120,000. And last year John Dillinger's derringer fetched $96,000 at auction. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one of the most historic firearms in American history. All federal firearms laws will apply to the sale and shipment of this item. Bidders are urged to check their local laws or call us for further details. This item may be viewed only in our Stamford, Connecticut offices, by appointment.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $99 | $10 |
| $100 | $499 | $20 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 + | $1,000 |