Bonnie Parkers pistol is up for sale

[Red James Cash]

Bonnie Parkers pistol is up for sale

The pistol retrieved from inside the skirt of Bonnie Parker of the infamous gangster duo, Bonnie and Clyde, is up for sale. The historic piece of evidence will be auctioned on January 25th. Law enforcement officers found the pistol as Bonnie was prepped for burial in 1934. Auction officials say the semi-automatic .38 caliber Colt, complete with the clip and six bullets, has a pre-auction estimate of between $125,000 and $175,000. The winning bidder will also get historic photos and documentation of the duo's last stand, including a photo of the bullet-riddled Ford 4-Door Sedan. Bonnie and her partner Clyde, whose last name is Barrow, were ambushed by law enforcement officers in Louisiana.


Bonnie's pistol up for sale | Video | Reuters.com

 

[katdancing]

Awesome post.

 

[Citiboy289]

I am really just starting to wonder about these gangster era Bonnie and Clyde weapons Seems to me like getting to be like Jessie James treasures If I am not mistaken just a few months ago there was another major auction house offering documented Bonnie Parker pistols I will need to find the link but its around here somewhere FOUND IT RR AUCTIONS IN NH in July of 2012

 

[Red James Cash]

Got to remember Citiboy,prohibition era gangsters-bank robbers,didnt only carry one gun,they usually had car trunk fulls.Dillinger use to break into national guard armories and take cases of BARS,Thompsons,not to mention cases of ammo.Along with anything else that caught his eye.Theyre a far cry from the punks today that call themselves gangsters.They lived by the gun,they knew how to use them very well.

 

[Citiboy289]

I just think there are several reports that after the ambush , the majority of the weapons found were given as gifts to the persons in the ambush party this was very documented in the RR Auction, including paperwork , Now makes me wonder how many more will turn up

 

[Red James Cash]

I just think there are several reports that after the ambush , the majority of the weapons found were given as gifts to the persons in the ambush party this was very documented in the RR Auction, including paperwork , Now makes me wonder how many more will turn up

That right there is a possibility.Can only imagine how many guns they had in the car.If you ever come across a BAR with a cut down stock and a shortened barrel,for cheap.Grab it if possible,thats how Dillinger modified his BARS.

 

[Bitpusher]

Bonnie's pistol isn't legal to own - Ms Parker obliterated the weapon's serial number, rendering it contraband. The ATF apparently issued it a new one, but that doesn't satisfy the law.

Of course, when you can afford $175k for a pocket pistol, the laws don't apply in the same ways they apply to you and I.

 

[Red James Cash]

Of course, when you can afford $175k for a pocket pistol, the laws don't apply in the same ways they apply to you and I.

Must be nice though huh?

 

[roaddust66]

Spring 1934 , Route 66 , Sayre Oklahoma , Puny Fuller's Phillip's 66 Service Station. My Dad was a Senior in high School . A Saturday afternoon. They rolled in. Got gas. My Dad said everybody knew who they were. After they left my dad and other kids told the Police Chief. The Chief called Amarillo Texas by telephone. Two weeks later Bonnie and Clyde were dead. Oklahoma 1934

 

[Follows Camp Craig]

Little John's Auction Service - Antique Firearms Auctioneer

The web site appears a little cheesy, the glossy auction version is ohh so fine.

Museum quality merchandise, waaay out of my price range.
Guns, Civil war, Artillery, American History, Native America.

 

[Citiboy289]

During the last few days I have consulted with the COLT Board , which also had a link concerning the auction and the weapons history These seem to be the questions asked regarding its being real:

Original reports indicated that all the weapons that were in the car and on the persons were accounted for with many pages of documents , Interesting that the 38 colt that was taped to Bonnies upper leg was located at the ambush site and recovered

It would be difficult to believe that a 1902 colt 38 sportsman , which has a weight of just under 3 lbs could be sewn into a skirt since it with it weight the skirt would pull down and be highly noticeable.

It would be difficult to believe that after all the photos that were taken at the ambush and the locating of the colt 38 that this piece would be overlooked, until it got to the undertaker.

The rounds that were found in the weapon are not fitting the time period and appear to be reloads , which seems odd for someone who made their living with a weapon.

Now the letter's in question: The colt letter only verifies the serial number and the location the shipment and number of pieces that were in the shipment was sent to. It does not verify any connection to Bonnie.

The Colt letter indicates that the weapon that was shipped out with a BLUED FINISH , it is now Nickel plated , Which brings to question the statement that the weapon " appears never " to have been taken apart. since the process would require it to be totally taken apart

Now the last and most perplexing question..... The weapon was given away in 1934 Yet no one wrote any documentation until 1972, The movie Bonnie & Clyde was made in 1967 , would make one wonder that with all the attention at that time or prior to the movie any documentation was created.

The persons on the board seems to feel it is a vintage 1902 as supported by colt but has no connection to the persons or actual ambush.

As I posted before RR AUCTIONS in NH in 09/12 held a huge auction of GANGSTER WEAPONS that included many from the ambush that carried much stronger documentation from those at the ambush

The general feeling is that the weapon is vintage but does not have any connection to the persons or the ambush itself

The value of the weapon in its present condition is estimated as $800.00 - $1,100.00

I have my own idea of the pieces history and how it came about , But that is only a feeling and not fact

http://www.npr.org/2012/09/26/161696072/bonnie-and-clydes-guns-other-items-go-on-auction

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Cityboy289, first impressions are usually right!

 

[Uncle Jeff]

Got my opening bid placed at $165,000
Wish me luck.. all though I might go as high as $235,000 .. but I am kinda sure will go for more. Grrrr

 

[Citiboy289]

An added fact that I researched last night --- The auction has 900 plus items , and 99 % are not fire arm related mostly silver table ware , paintings, and art deco items ( there are a few older shotguns ) but nothing that even comes close to commanding the opening bid of 63 K Just makes me wonder

 

[treasurehound]

This was in todays Knoxville TN paper. Great story on how her gun was found on after her body was taken to the morgue. Since it was found after the inventory of the car it was never included in the weapons recovered at the scene. The auction is going to be held in Knoxville on Jan 25 by Case Auction and is supposed to have several original photos of the crime scene as well. I may go over to see it and watch the frenzy.

 

[Red James Cash]

I want one of Baby face Nelsons .38 super M1911 fullautos .Pick one of them up for me would you treasurehound,you cant miss em.

 

[Citiboy289]

Attached is a link to the BLAZE story about the above --- In the text there is a comment from case auctions in an interview with a local paper ( see paragraph under photo of weapon ) where a Case official indicates that there are only 6 rounds and it is possible the 7 th round is still in the Chamber !!!!!!!!!! You have got to be kidding -------- This get more bazar each day Would You Purchase Iconic Outlaw?s Pistol Found in Embalming Room After Her Gruesome Death? | Video | TheBlaze.com

 

[Citiboy289]

Might as well kick this to the TOP 1/25, is just a few days away

 

[NHBandit]

Bonnie's pistol isn't legal to own - Ms Parker obliterated the weapon's serial number, rendering it contraband. The ATF apparently issued it a new one, but that doesn't satisfy the law.

Of course, when you can afford $175k for a pocket pistol, the laws don't apply in the same ways they apply to you and I.

Wrong answer... Quoted from federal firearms law... "The F.F.A. regulations did not require serial numbers on firearms (necessary to identify a particular gun as having been the subject of a transaction) until 1958, and then exempted .22-caliber rifles from the serial number requirement." There are LOTS of older guns on the market that never had a serial number and they are perfectly legal to buy & sell. Anything made (or modified I would think) prior to 1958 is grandfathered. That said I don't see much ironclad "proof" that this was Bonnie Parkers pistol. Certainly not worth taking a six figure chance.

 

[jeff of pa]

I agree it would not be up for pubic auction if it were illegal to own.
Of course certain places like New York, may feel different but
if you got the cash, I'm sure you can bid.

as for the $175k, that is just a hint from the auction house at what they are hoping
bidders will take to heart. sort of Metal Conditioning.
& of course a hint, they will laugh at a $50,000.00 bid