History Detectives: St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Shotgun

Wyatt Burp · Oct 18, 2020

In this older episode of this really good show a shotgun is discussed that might have been the one used at the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. I like this girl who seems to get the jobs where guns are involved and she even gets to shoot a Thompson used in the massacre. And the shotgun, too.

S8 E7: Season 8, Episode 7 | History Detectives | Programs | PBS SoCal

jimmyj · Oct 18, 2020

Appears to be a Stevens Model 520 made for Western Field.
Is Western Field too new for the 1929 murders?

ContinentalOp · Oct 18, 2020

Loved that show! Used to watch it whenever it came on TV. Then I stopped watching TV.

Thanks for the link. I went and bookmarked the show's homepage so I can watch the episodes.

Justin T · Oct 18, 2020

The Westernfield stevens 520 is of the right time period-the Monkey Wards store-brand contract ran over a long time frame. but most of the “evidence” they provide isn’t really evidence-just some interesting coincidences.

I believe there are other Stevens 520’s claimed to have been that same gun. Here’s mine!

usmc2427765 · Oct 18, 2020

I remember reading that "Doc" Holiday purchased a number of used revolvers after the " OK Corral" fiasco and sold them to people swearing up and down that this was the revolver he carried at the epic gunfight. As I recall, he did fairly well and sales were brisk. Buyer beware!!!!

Justin T · Oct 19, 2020

usmc2427765 said:
I remember reading that "Doc" Holiday purchased a number of used revolvers after the " OK Corral" fiasco and sold them to people swearing up and down that this was the revolver he carried at the epic gunfight. As I recall, he did fairly well and sales were brisk. Buyer beware!!!!

Wyatt Earp and the James family did the same thing.

oldbrownhat · Oct 19, 2020

usmc2427765 said:
...As I recall, he did fairly well and sales were brisk. Buyer beware!!!!

Perhaps seller, too, as he died of TB at 36

Alpo · Oct 19, 2020

I never heard of Doc Holiday doing that, but Masterson did it after he went back to New York to be a sports writer on a newspaper. He would go to the pawn shop and buy a gun and sell it to some sucker as, "the gun I carried when I was a marshal out west".

cowboy4evr · Oct 19, 2020

Bat Masterson did the same thing . He would go around to pawn shops, buying colt revolvers that looked similar to the one he carried . Tell folks this is the colt that I carried and then sell it for a handsome price . Regards Paul

UncleEd · Oct 19, 2020

Alpo said:
I never heard of Doc Holiday doing that, but Masterson did it after he went back to New York to be a sports writer on a newspaper. He would go to the pawn shop and buy a gun and sell it to some sucker as, "the gun I carried when I was a marshal out west".

This is the story I've always read about.

As to the "massacre" shotgun, I doubt it.

First, Fire Commissioner Quinn would be a
dubious source for verification as I recall
his reputation.

Second, no one was ever sure just who
was behind the massacre but some suggest
it was the Detroit Purple Gang because
Bugs Moran had cheated them on booze
shipments.

Or it could have been Capone but no one
is sure. Even at the time doubt was cast
Capone was behind the killings.

Probably just another old shotgun taken
by the Chicago PD at some unknown time
which then landed in private hands.

DeathGrip · Oct 19, 2020

Another thanks for the link.

I wouldn't pay extra for that shotgun with out solid proof.

Then again, I probably wouldn't be interested in having it if it was authenticated but I can see the collectability to some. Just not me.

Jack Flash · Oct 19, 2020

Seems like a lot of conclusions reached on that show are based largely on conjecture and surmise.

Catwrangler · Oct 19, 2020

All classic cases of buy the gun......Not the story.

Catwrangler · Oct 19, 2020

All classic cases of buy the gun......Not the story.

Nevada Ed · Oct 19, 2020

Before I bought it , I would need a DNA test to make sure it had the correct blood types on it.......................

Right ?

rockquarry · Oct 19, 2020

I'm not familiar with this TV show, but that appears to be a butchered shotgun with absolutely no evidence as to its alleged past. Certainly its worth would be well under one hundred dollars.

Rudi · Oct 19, 2020

Is that a Browning patent gun?

robvious · Oct 19, 2020

Rudi said:
Is that a Browning patent gun?

yes..early Browning design..
very solid take down model..
later version became a WWII trench gun
it was in use into Vietnam..

Justin T · Oct 19, 2020

robvious said:
yes..early Browning design..
very solid take down model..
later version became a WWII trench gun
it was in use into Vietnam..

Yes. The design is seriously under-appreciated, and the takedown system is leagues better than his work on the winchester 97. They are wonderful shotguns that are built like tanks.

Lots of design touches in this gun that are seen in his other guns. The locking block and breech bolt are just like those found in Auto 5’s, the “double hump” thing is seen on the BAR, and other stuff.

History Detectives: St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Shotgun

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads