357magster
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Al Capone's S&W Revolver
- Thread starter 357magster
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If only it could talk! 
JohnK
US Veteran
How in the world, could the IRS figure out if this was Capone's gun ?
He didn't personally buy it.
At that time, gun records were mostly non-existent.
He didn't personally buy it.
At that time, gun records were mostly non-existent.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
That's what I was wondering, too. It would be interesting to get the serial and have Roy or Don check out its origin. But unless there are some verifiable provenance documents like an original bill of sale with Henderson's name and the serial with it, it seems hard to prove. And one would associate such careful documentation with a high end auction house, not "an illegal gambling den"
.CORRECTION: I take it all back. The gun is real. They did their homework, including Roy. Read the story here. And pay attention to the fact that the WSJ has since corrected the fact that the pictures show the wrong gun.
Reputation Under Fire, the IRS Pulls a Gun—Al Capone's - WSJ
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That's what I was wondering, too. It would be interesting to get the serial and have Roy or Don check out its origin. But unless there are some verifiable provenance documents like an original bill of sale with Henderson's name and the serial with it, it seems hard to prove. And one would associate such careful documentation with a high end auction house, not "an illegal gambling den"
CORRECTION: I take it all back. The gun is real. They did their homework, including Roy. Read the story here. And pay attention to the fact that the WSJ has since corrected the fact that the pictures show the wrong gun.
Reputation Under Fire, the IRS Pulls a Gun—Al Capone's - WSJ
Hmm, can't read because I'm not willing to subscribe. I hate when that happens! Would have liked to read the story.
Watchdog
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If only it could talk!
If it could talk, it wouldn't.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Hmm, can't read because I'm not willing to subscribe. I hate when that happens! Would have liked to read the story.
Yep, that's odd. Earlier this morning, the mobile version was fully open to read without signing in. Now I can't get back in either. Should have copied the article
.PS: Okay, this is weird, but try this: Google "Al Capone's gun". The WSJ article should come up first. I just did this on a hunch and clicking the link it opened the full article with no fuss after clicking away one subscribe prompt.
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Tired Gunsmith
Member
The original WSJ article on page one of the September 16, 2016 issue aroused my interest/ire.
I wrote the WSJ about it.
The 'author' sent me a copy of the letter from the S&W historian.
Of course the original article showed a top break. NOT an M&P.
On October 17, 201`6 again on page one the WSJ ran a new article explaining the original erroneous information.
Still wonder where the "Firearms Expert" of the treasury and the 'museum' got their so called facts too.
I wrote the WSJ about it.
The 'author' sent me a copy of the letter from the S&W historian.
Of course the original article showed a top break. NOT an M&P.
On October 17, 201`6 again on page one the WSJ ran a new article explaining the original erroneous information.
Still wonder where the "Firearms Expert" of the treasury and the 'museum' got their so called facts too.
Yep, that's odd. Earlier this morning, the mobile version was fully open to read without signing in. Now I can't get back in either. Should have copied the article
PS: Okay, this is weird, but try this: Google "Al Capone's gun". The WSJ article should come up first. I just did this on a hunch and clicking the link it opened the full article with no fuss after clicking away one subscribe prompt.
You're right, that work around worked. For the museum's take on the gun, you can read it here, which pretty much parrots what the WSJ said. Mob Museum - Capone's Gun
Jack Flash
Member
And he wouldn't be inclined to make sure their was a paper trail.
That links works as advertised. Interesting story.
ParadiseRoad
Member
ParadiseRoad
Member
ParadiseRoad
Member
...revolver used by IRS Agent to arrest Al Capone...
The Gun That Brought Down Al Capone Is Making Its Way to Las Vegas | Mental Floss
The Gun That Brought Down Al Capone Is Making Its Way to Las Vegas | Mental Floss
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ParadiseRoad
Member
Gun used by Capone investigator and found in N.J. headed to museum | NJ.com
...the photo link in the article won't open for me...here's the photo...
...the photo link in the article won't open for me...here's the photo...
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OP
357magster
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Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
...... Unfortunately, he chopped off part of the sign. (He shoots a gun better than he shoots photos!)
According to what's readable of the sign, "the serial numbers were drilled out".
I'd love to check behind the ejector star and on the back of the yoke to see whether those "hoodlums" really knew enough about S&W that they got ALL of them ...
I have the gun that would have shot Al Capone if he had been around me and tried any funny business. Any one interested in buying it?
I have Pancho Villa's actual revolver. In fact, I have 10 of them. All purchased from his widow.
Any offers?
That is a very nice looking Smith. I don't know whether or not it actually belonged to Al Capone, so I won't comment either way.
What I DO know, is I'd like to have it.
Any offers?
That is a very nice looking Smith. I don't know whether or not it actually belonged to Al Capone, so I won't comment either way.
What I DO know, is I'd like to have it.
DWalt
Member
I also put it in the category of a Pancho Villa gun, purchased directly from his widow. I just don't see anything I would accept as being ironclad evidence of its being one of Big Al's guns, at least not enough to shell out magnum bucks at auction.
"Billy Clayton, who operated an illegal gambling business in Mayfield, Kentucky."
Mayfield is in far Western Kentucky, not very far south of Paducah. Mayfield is also the location of Remington's rifle plant, located in an industrial park there. Or maybe it WAS there. I think I read something about Remington closing it.
"Billy Clayton, who operated an illegal gambling business in Mayfield, Kentucky."
Mayfield is in far Western Kentucky, not very far south of Paducah. Mayfield is also the location of Remington's rifle plant, located in an industrial park there. Or maybe it WAS there. I think I read something about Remington closing it.
