Colt Chopper Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) About 6 months ago I had the opportunity to purchase a Colt 1921AC that had the serial numbers ground off. Mid last week on our way to the TCA shoot, we had a chance to pull the barrel at a friends house, thanks much to SIG for providing his knowledge, tools and expertise. And to Dave Albert for video taping the discovery. After carefully removing the barrel, the hidden number revealed was 5487. Gordon's latest book provided some interesting information. Originally sold May 1929 to Momsen-Dunnegan-Ryan Co. East Overland St. at Ochoa El Paso Texas. We then cross referenced Momsen-Dunnegan-Ryan Co. and some very interesting information was found. According to Gordon's book, and if I interpreted it right, it was 1 of 14 shipped to them and sold to Hyman Saul Lebman !!!! Of these 14, #6315 was recovered after the shoot out at Little Bohemia ! I shared this find with OCM. Sandy and his cohorts wasted no time in finding some additional information, that I hope they will chime in and share. It's things like this that keep it interesting and keeps "The Hunt" going. Thanks again to everyone that has helped thus far, and for keeping the history alive Hopefully more to follow on this Colt in the future ! Edited September 23, 2016 by dalbert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCM Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 A remarkable find. we knew of the Little Bohemia Thompsons as Colt Chopper points out, when we were chasing all the Dillinger guns 3 years ago, but this one is also directly listed in the FBI Dillinger files. I won't go into all the rather complex details, but it has connections with a shipment thru Mexico, then into El Paso.It appears to have traveled thru two sources, then sold directly to HS Lebman in San Antonio, with some others, and is listed in the FBI files.It drifts off a bit here as it hit the underworld, but looks like it was possibly/probably sold to Baby Face Nelson. There is also a chance it was kept by two other Dillinger gang members and disappeared, but I'm guessing Nelson by the information we have. These guns don't pop up unless recovered, this one escaped being caught. If Lebman had it, which he did , it has some extremely interesting history.Good chance Colt Chopper just took possession of a Baby Face Nelson Thompson.Next is to find it's history after Lebman sold it. I'm guessing it went to the Dillinger/ Nelson group is St Paul.What luck to bother taking off the barrel to get the hidden #. The serial numbers being ground off lit the fuse I guess you'd say.Thanks to my " partners In crime" for jumping on this so fast with me.We'll keep the search going. OCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jl7422 Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 Congratulations and well done! What a find. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 I took video of the whole barrel removal process, hidden serial number discovery, and the subsequent lookup of the serial number in Gordon's book. I need to check with one participant before I may make it available online. David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCM Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Just having a Lebman related Thompson in your possession, is a big deal- Leading to a potential BIG deal. To be honest, there is a lot( few) of paths this gun could of taken, The next phase of research is critical. Historically it points to Nelson.Looking forward to the video.Again, hat's off to you guys for looking up the secret #- Wonder how many are out there with historical connections, few I'm sure. OCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt Chopper Posted September 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt Chopper Posted September 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 This is an absolutely spectacular discovery! I am still thrilled to have witnessed it. Texas! David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantpanda4 Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 Awesome. Just super awesome! Can't wait if a FOIA will shed any light on when it hit the registry. Or previous owner will set out and have any info for you. Enjoy the thrill of the chase!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCM Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 (edited) As you pointed out, your gun has the same type of serial number removable as the Nelson Thompsons pictured here , captured after the Little Bo battle. Further adds to the possibility of the Nelson-Lebman connection. Toss a little logic in here, Lebman probably removed the serial numbers in his San Antonio shop, as not to be traced back to him.Playing the Devil's Advocate tho, would not Lebman of known about the secret # --- Maybe not. However, I see the numbers have been removed on both the receiver and lower on your Thompson. We need to find out if the two captured Nelson Thompsons had the same as they are listed by the FBI as two El Paso traced guns, # 6315 & 6141.This to me would indicate the numbers were visible on the Thompsons captured-Conclusion: the one pictured here at the garage after the little Bo battle could possible be yours. Let's find out.... OCM Edit : Indicate the numbers were visible..... after the numbers were acid raised. Type faster then I can think. Edited September 29, 2016 by OCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gijive Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 Sandy, The Thompson in question has an IRS number stamped beneath the area where the serial number was ground off, this indicates it was registered by someone many years ago. I am guessing a police agency took possession of it somewhere along the line and used it for their own use for years before selling it to a dealer. An FOIA would at least give the details of the timeline. If it had remained in the hands of gangsters, of course it wouldn't have been legally registered. Hopefully, Colt Chopper can get the name of the agency it came from and trace it back to how it was confiscated. Very interesting gun, I am looking forward to "the rest of the story". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCM Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 I was telling Colt Chopper, much the same- As with the Tucson guns that stayed with the Tucson PD. It could of stayed local at a PD or Sheriff's office. Or ? Yes, still after it. There's a story to be told on this prize. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCM Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 (edited) Better shot of the Little Bo guns- Clearly the numbers have been removed on the Thompson on the right, just like Colt Chopper's .A comparison of the marks might be critical here, side by side. A small tail, loop something like that. This means for sure the FBI would of had to acid lift the numbers or pull the barrel. OR left as is and became the possession of a local Sheriff's Department till IRS registered as Chuck says.Moving a hair closer. Got a feeler out to glean the massive FBI files from our pal Hans. Edited September 24, 2016 by OCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merry Ploughboy Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 This is the gun that Midwest Tactical (i.e., Frank G.) had, and was sold pre-auction, right? In any case, a great find. Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt Chopper Posted September 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 (edited) Merry Ploughboy, you are correct. Edited September 24, 2016 by Colt Chopper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorcar Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 That is major league cool stuff. Imagine that, when we think everything has already been discovered about such items, a new piece of history reveals itself. A time capsule opened, neat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Mills Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 Wow, an ultra cool thing. Those who dig deep and remove barrels uncover amazing history! Thanks so much for sharing; it must've been quite a thrill to witness. Road Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCM Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 Another view of the Little Bo Thompsons, showing both Thompsons with their numbers removed, same as Colt Chopper's.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full auto 45 Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 (edited) I was playing around today and looking at the photos Colt Chopper put out and compared the was the grind was shaped on both. From what I can tell, it is shaped the same. I would just about put money that the gun that is the same one, the one closest to the 1907 Winchester. Edited September 24, 2016 by full auto 45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 I was playing around today and looking at the photos Colt Chopper put out and compared the was the grind was shaped on both. From what I can tell, it is shaped the same. I would just about put money that the gun that is the same one, the one closest to the 1907 Winchester. Mike, That's what I was thinking. The grind marks could almost be looked at like a fingerprint. I would be interested in gijive's opinion on this. Colt Chopper, Could you take photos of it at the same angles in the Little Bohemia photos? David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostsoldier Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 This whole episode is historic as hell....I'm glad to be able to share in it's revelation here. Awesome stuff. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCM Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 Yes, a lot to do here first. I've found some errors in Gordon's book , which happens in ongoing research. This may or may not come into play here .Need way more evidence here from the FBI files or whomever was in charge of the weaponry. As/B4 ( a known Dillinger sign off) OCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrgh1934 Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 Gordon would have loved this.Im sure he is smiling.RIP my friend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM76 Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 What a great find and and its not so much the money value , but the History of this find related to Baby Face Nelson , congratulation ..Tino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCM Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 Maybe a little breakthrough here: Joe Pinkston's well documented book, one of the VERY best on the subject, states that when the volley was over and daylight came , the Feds moved in and recovered six (6) machine guns, 12 shotguns, 5 bullet proof vests and three women . Nothing about any pistols, but we know there were many. Joe's book was published back in 63 I think, and he did a huge research on Dillinger, owned the famous Dillinger Museum in Nashville, IN. He was considered by many ( including me ) the world's top authority on Dillinger- We know Dillinger took # 7387 with him, the Crown Point Thompson ( Porter County Sheriff ) . There were 7 members of the Dillinger gang there, 10 with the molls. Almost positive now the weapons pictured are just the ones they found in the 3-4 cars the gang parked in the garage. We know that. This means there are 4 other Thompsons, from the Little Bohemia battle, unaccounted for....................at least not pictured here. I'm guessing these were just set up pictures for the press, lot of people showed up for this new Dillinger circus. Press ate up the FBI . So, are we now looking at Colt Chopper's Thompson # 5487. Chances are coming up better & better every day. I'm concerned the FBI files don't exist- In the huge FBI Dillinger files, Part 20 is missing, this would be the Little Bohemia era. I know Hans had been looking for it in the past. Little Bo was a bad FBI experience, couple innocent people were shot by them ! Maybe Part 20 is gone forever ? OCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now