Dillinger's Colt #8946 With AZ PD In 1961 Before FBI Remodeling

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

Tucson Arizona Police Sgt. Tom Keeley and secretary Linda Bradfield displaying Dillinger Colt TSMG #8946 in 1961 that Dillinger had stolen from Auburn PD in 1933. Colt #5878 that Dillinger stole from Peru, Indiana PD is also displayed Board member garandman posted pics of the condition of #8946 when he visited the Auburn, Indiana PD in August, 2014. The FBI returned #8946 to Auburn PD in 2010.

 

Board member azboater already posted the 1961 Tucson PD photo back in April.

Edited June 23, 2016 by Arthur Fliegenheimer

[jl7422]

Both of the '07 Winchesters pictured are conversions with metal hand guards designed to mount a Thompson verticle grip- one of which appears to be on the table. Much discussion of these on the gangster forum here.

 

I visited the Dillinger weapons display in Tucson 2 weeks ago. Well worth seeing.

[HANS]

Both of the '07 Winchesters pictured are conversions with metal hand guards designed to mount a Thompson verticle grip- one of which appears to be on the table. Much discussion of these on the gangster forum here.

 

I visited the Dillinger weapons display in Tucson 2 weeks ago. Well worth seeing.

 

Nice! Did you note the serial numbers of the Winchesters, by any chance?

 

Cheers

 

HANS

[michaelkih]

Thanks for the pictures!

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

Both of the '07 Winchesters pictured are conversions with metal hand guards designed to mount a Thompson verticle grip- one of which appears to be on the table. Much discussion of these on the gangster forum here.

 

I visited the Dillinger weapons display in Tucson 2 weeks ago. Well worth seeing.

 

 

Edited June 24, 2016 by Arthur Fliegenheimer

[jl7422]

Our buddy OCM has the serial numbers for both Winchesters. . . memorized I think. . .

[OCM]

The Winchester she is holding, is # 46051 which resides now in Tucson. The Winchester on the table has no numbers, they were scratched off by one of the outlaws and it resides somewhere in the Raiders of the Lost Ark warehouse, used to be on the FBI display with the other Dillinger weapons.

Thompsons are # 8946 stolen from the Auburn, Indiana PD, other is # 5878 Stolen from Peru, Indiana PD.

 

As the Dutchman related above, The Auburn gun has been returned from the FBI to the Auburn PD, torched and all. Prior to that it was at the Tucson PD, on display but it and the Lebman" no numbers" 07 Winchester were loaned to the FBI for display and they kept them. ( after 1961 of course)

Peru is after #5878 now, I guess. The other Lebman 07 Winchester, still at the Tucson PD, is waiting to see if the ghost of HS Lebman comes back to reclaim it. You never know.

The Tucson PD does have another Winchester on display, but not a Lebman convert, # 21218. I think us Gun Hunter group found it was stolen from possibly Peru with the Thompson and a couple BP vests. ( one vest on display at the AZ Historical Society in Tucson ). Of course Peru never claimed anything in 34 after the arrest.

Also the Tucson PD has # 7731 Thompson, which we think was supplied to the gang via HS Lebman, maybe coming from Wolf & Klar ( that's a maybe)

OCM

[jl7422]

Seeing the weapons in person, all were in better condition than the photos I have seen of them over the years.

 

The Winchesters both reflect the usual loss of bluing to the receivers that you encounter on many 07's--barrel bluing on both is very good. The Lebman conversion gun 46051 (my main reason for the trip) has significant handling marks to the stock - a department property stamp and sticker have been added over the years, and the paint is heavily flaked from the metal hand guard. The guard itself is a high quality casting with an excellent fit. Compensator has lost most of its blue.

 

Thompson #5878 is nice--about what you would expect from a weapon that has been displayed around by a PD for 80+ years. #7731 was really impressive--excellent finish. I'll bet it was mint when captured because it still shows very well.

 

If you get the chance - these are well worth seeing IMO.

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

@OCM

 

Agent Seeley Booth ("Bones") shares your appreciation for all things Dillinger.

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

Thompson #5878 is nice--about what you would expect from a weapon that has been displayed around by a PD for 80+ years. #7731 was really impressive--excellent finish. I'll bet it was mint when captured because it still shows very well.

 

#5878 may not be part of the Tucson PD museum much longer. Gordon Herigstad's periodical is shown in the news report as evidentiary of Peru PD claim.

 

Edited June 24, 2016 by Arthur Fliegenheimer

[OCM]

The little news story, shows the Tucson Winchester 07 # 21218 did not come from Peru, I've got the list from Auburn ( a Winchester 1910, not a 1907) . So maybe our pal HS Lebman supplied it with # 7731 Thompson.

My understanding they made two trips in and out of the Peru PD, to carry all the guns they stole. Two Winchester 30-30s were hauled off too.

 

Lot of stuff to pack in a 1933 Essex Terraplane 8 & three people.

 

Crazy times.

 

OCM

[full auto 45]

Oooh, ooooh, I have a 1910 #19256.

[OCM]

Mike-

You should drive it up North from you and present the Auburn PD with your 1910 #19256 Winchester, back to the rightful owner. The right thing to do or send it to me with the case of extremely common ammo for it. I'll spring for postage.

John would of wanted it that way- and Harry P.

[full auto 45]

OCM - Sounds like a good idea, but I stopped by Crown Hill the other day and John said I should keep it with all the boxes of original ammo I have. But, he did say I could sell a 351.