NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2003 Nov 09 @ 13:00UTC-5 : EST/CDT
<b>383. AL CAPONE'S .38 CALIBER PISTOL </b>AL CAPONE<b> </b>(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 the best crime-related item ever offered, Al Capone's personal Colt Police Positive .38 Special revolver. The silver chromed revolver, serial no. 1, bears a four inch barrel, Colt logo stamped on the left side, with factory-original wood grips with Colt logos in relief. Of particular interest is the fact that the barrel was at one time changed, perhaps to avoid tracing of bullet striations to Capone. 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. 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 when Al was convicted of tax evasion and imprisoned in 1931, 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 Madeleine sending the relics to her agent, a copy of Mrs. Capone's notarized statement concerning Al's ownership of the pistol, and a press release from Butterfield's. 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. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one of the most historic (and notorious) firearms in American history. Please note that in compliance with state and federal firearms regulations, this item will only be shipped from our Connecticut offices to the holder of a Federal Firearms License (which may be the buyer of the lot or his appointed representative) legally permitted to receive such a weapon. This item may be viewed only in our Greenwich, Connecticut offices, by appointment.<b>$20,000-30,000</b>
Auction Location:
United States
Please note that lots purchased are subject to sales taxes where applicable unless a resale number is filed with us prior to the auction.
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Shipment is made via United Parcel Service unless otherwise
instructed. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice.
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<p>1.) This Auction is conducted under the laws of the State of Connecticut.
<p>2.) This auction will be held in two parts. Part I (Lots 1-422) will begin at 1:00 PM Eastern Time on Sunday, November 9, 2003. Part II (Lots 500-1457) will begin at Noon Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 11, 2003. However, you may bid at any time prior to the sale dates.
<p>3.) There is a 17 1/2% Buyer's Premium charged on the final hammer price of each lot.
<p>4.) The Auctioneer reserves the right to reject any bid for any reason.
<p>5.) The Auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw any lot for any reason.
<p>6.) In the event of duplicate high bids, the earliest bid received will be the winner.
<p>7.) Some lots may carry a reserve beneath which the item will not be sold.
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<p>13.) Payment is expected immediately upon, (but not before) receipt of invoice. Payments may be made via mail, phone, fax, in person, or online at alexautographs.com (click on Make Payment link). We also accept PayPal payments, payable to sales@alexautographs.com All accounts are payable to Alexander Autographs, Inc. Payment must be made in U.S. funds. Wire transfer details are available upon request. Please note that lots purchased are subject to sales taxes where applicable unless a resale number is filed with us prior to the auction. Invoices not paid within thirty days of the date of invoice will incur a 1.5% per month late payment fee.
<p>14.) Shipment is made via United Parcel Service unless otherwise instructed. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice.
<p>15.) All material in this sale is guaranteed genuine (unless otherwise stated) to the original buyer. Any item sold which is determined to be not authentic by two independent authenticators acceptable to both parties to the sale may be returned by the original buyer at any time for an immediate refund of the purchase price (only).
<p>16.) Items may also be returned if the catalog description differs significantly from the item¹s actual condition; such returns must be made within three (3) days of purchaser's receipt of the lot(s). All returned lots must be in the same condition as shipped. All items are in very good condition unless stated otherwise. Items housed in frames have not been examined outside of the frame. Lots which bear defects or damage not visible because of framing will not be subject to return.
<p>17.) The placing of a bid shall constitute acceptance of the preceding terms and conditions of sale as well as well as the Bidding Procedure guidelines posted in this catalog. AUCTION RESULTS WILL BE AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 13, 2003.