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1921 New York City Mail Truck Robbery Gang


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Just picked this up on eBay for my Anderson/Chapman crime syndicate collection. These old original press photos are great and inexpensive additions to displays.

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Edited by Waffen Und Bier
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Gerald Chapman (Bryce?) was hanged in 1926 for the murder of New Britain CT Police Officer James Skelly. Heins (aka Dutch Anderson) was killed in a shootout with Muskegon MI Detective Charles Hammond in 1925. Their criminal exploits make for some interesting reading. Edited by Waffen Und Bier
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New Britain Police Officer James Skelly. Unfortunately, this is the only photo I've been able to locate (on the police department's memorial page).

skelly-1.jpg

Edited by Waffen Und Bier
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Original 1925 press photo of "experts" examining gun Chapman was accused of using.

 

Many thanks for this! These were indeed experts, J. Henry FitzGerald of Colt's, William Jones of the NYPD, and Roy Jones of S&W. The revolver looks like a .45 Hand Ejector/M1917 to me. It seems blued, yet I've read somewhere the revolver that nailed Chapman was supposed to be nickeled. Would someone know?

 

Cheers

 

HANS

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  • 2 weeks later...
Newspaper announces Anderson's death as well as Det. Charles Hammond's. Now I have a background for my display. Sorry for bad photo. I just picked up a 2nd Model Hand Ejector in .45 Colt (post war conversion) to finish out my collection. No pics yet.

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Interesting stuff.... Keep posting on your research if you would. ( collection photos Etc. )

 

Thanks,

 

OCM

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  • 3 months later...
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  • 11 months later...
Scored two more original 1925 press photos relating to Chapman's murder trial. Should be in my hands soon after Christmas. One is crowd trying to catch a glimpse of Chapman. The other is Chapman in cuffs. I'll post the captions later.

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  • 2 weeks later...

The 2.4 million dollar US Mail robbery committed by Chapman and Anderson resulted in the US Marines guarding the mails for a time. During the time that the Marines guarded the mail, not one successful robbery occurred. It is possible that the rules of engagement had something to do with it.

The Navy Secretary told his new detachment of 50-plus Marines and officers:"To the Men of the Mail Guard, you must when on guard duty, keep your weapons in hand and, if attacked, shoot and shoot to kill. If two Marines are covered by a robber, neither must put up his hands, but both must immediately go for their guns. One may die, but the other will get the robber, and the mail will get through. When our Corps goes in as guards over the mail, that mail must be delivered, or there must be a Marine dead at the post of duty. There can be no compromise."

 

From the FAQ section of the Marine Mail Guard training manual...

Q. Suppose he [the robber] is using a gun or making threats with a gun in trying to escape? A. Shoot him.

Q. Suppose the thief was apparently unarmed but was running away?
A. Call halt twice at the top of your voice, and if he does not halt, fire one warning shot; and if he does not obey this, shoot to hit him.

Q. Is it permissible to take off my pistol while on duty; for instance, when in a mail car riding between stations?
A. Never take off your pistol while on duty. Keep it loaded, locked, and cocked while on duty.

Q. Is there a general plan for meeting a robbery?
A. Yes; start shooting and meet developments as they arise thereafter.

Q. If I hear the command 'Hands Up,' am I justified in obeying this order?
A. No; fall to the ground and start shooting.

Q. Is it possible to make a successful mail robbery?
A. Only over a dead Marine.

https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/intense-rules-for-marine-guards?rebelltitem=4#rebelltitem4

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