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*RARE DOCUMENTED JOHN DILLINGER COLT NEW SERVICE TARGET DA REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
*RARE DOCUMENTED JOHN DILLINGER COLT NEW SERVICE TARGET DA REVOLVER.
SN 59485. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 7-1/2" bbl, adjustable target front sight with Sheard style blade, 2-line address with model & caliber marking on left side. Frame is flat top style with adjustable target rear sight. Sideplate is marked with the rampant Colt and has the early hook style cyl latch. Trigger, front & back straps are checkered and it is mounted with deep, rampant Colt medallion, fleur-de-lis carved & checkered, 2-pc walnut grips. Accompanied by a typewritten 2-page letter over the signature of Thomas E. Connelly, wherein he states that he was a captain in the Chicago Police Dept. and "was assigned to a special squad of police under the leadership of Captain John P. Stege; that the function of our special squad was to concentrate on the apprehension of John Dillinger and his gang ---". He further states that "In the performance of this duty, our squad seized a cache of guns from one of the hide-outs of the John Dillinger gang located in Bensenville, Illinois; that this hideout was abandoned by John Dillinger shortly before he was killed on July 22, 1934 after leaving the Biograph Theater in the city of Chicago." He then identifies this revolver, by SN, as one of the items from the cache of guns seized from the aforesaid hide-out. He additionally states "that we learned from other members of the gang, who were later apprehended that the above described weapon was the gun which John Dillinger always kept under his pillow and referred to as 'his friend'." He finally states that this revolver is in the condition in which it was taken from the hide-out. Signed "Thomas E. Connelly" and "John F. Cusack, Notary Public" and dated 10 October 1972. There is no notary seal or date of expiration of his commission affixed to the page According to a brief internet search Capt. Connelly was apparently dismissed from the Chicago Police Dept. in 1947 along with another member of the department after having been caught providing false evidence in a murder investigation and for coercing two Chicago mobsters into providing false information about the murder. CONDITION: Very good. Overall retains most of its refinished nickel with a few nicks & scratches and one small spot of flaking at the muzzle. Grips show moderate wear and retain a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-47186 JR186