Caponeophile

Too bad Sandy Jones is no longer around God rest his soul. I'm sure he is somewhere smiling at these items! Same auction company that brought you the huge Capone auction. Now they are into Dillinger items. The Sheriff's car i cool along with the bullet proof vest. The escape gun meh! https://witherells.com/auction/an-unreserved-auction-of-the-infamous-john-dillinger-escape-car-22?fbclid=IwAR3FYpDGeAy3ZAtKI4uKqAdb-bV-LCZQ7uLrSuuk1n5FBkR_H5gxrZrz1lw and https://annexauctions.com/auction/memorabilia-from-the-dillinger-years-40?fbclid=IwAR0vTjg4iaDJsXSrx3Il9fb1Afa04u31dH1Du0Gx-Vg8n4434HqHb_Rzfl8 Happy safe 4th to all from Canada Mario Gomes

MICHAEL KLINE OBITUARY Michael Westbrook "Foot" Kline, 64, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. Foot was born on June 11, 1958, in St. Joseph, to Macille and Robert Kline. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Immediately following the service a continuation of his celebration of life will take place at the FOP Lodge 96. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 2-4 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to FOP Lodge 96-St. Joseph, 2665 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Foot was a lifelong resident of St. Joseph. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1977, where he lettered in three sports and continued his education by attending and graduating from Western Michigan University. His love of athletics was something that he passed on to his only daughter, Morgan "Duppa." Following college, Foot began working for Berrien County Sheriff's Department, and would eventually rise to the rank of lieutenant. He would retire after 27 years. Through his association with Berrien County Sheriff's Department, Foot evolved into the preservation expert of Thompson machine guns, used in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. He toured the country with them, and was also featured on the History Channel, National Geographic and other media outlets. For the past 24 years, you could also find Foot fishing at Point O' Rocks in Siesta Key, Fla., which was his family's home away from home. He loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing, and camping – another trait he passed along to his daughter, Duppa. One of his deepest passions was serving at the FOP Lodge 96-St. Joseph, where he spent 20 years alternating between the position of president and vice president. Footie is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Pamela Dorgelo; daughter, Morgan Kline; sisters, Cindy Lyon and Nancy Pollyea; nieces, Chriss Lyon and Callie Kervel; nephews, Aaron (Darlene), Josh (Chelsea) and Seth Polleya. He was preceded in death by his parents. Published by The Herald-Palladium on Oct. 26, 2022.

This sad news from his niece Chriss Lyons. Lieutenant Mike Kline of the Berrien County Sheriff department has passed away this morning. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him will be saddened by the news. A great guy who took the time to make Thompson enthusiasts happy for many years by displaying these historic guns. Rest in peace! Mario Gomes www.myalcaponemuseum.com

https://www.rrauction.com/auctions/lot-detail/345914906383039-saint-valentine-s-day-massacre-frank-gusenberg-s-colt-detective-special-revolver/?cat=316

According to some stories from various researchers, the police department snatched some of these guns for their own lacking arsenals back then. By the time of his arrest, Fred Burke was one mean drunk and totally paranoid. When arrested, he had thought it was Capone men coming to do him in. This guy may have been suffering from PTSD after serving in WW1.

Al's Colt finished at over a million! https://witherells.com/lot/al-capone-s-favorite-45-auto-4093374

Thank-you Hans for your time and expertise! You are certainly more an expert than I will ever be at this topic!

Hello Hans, The is some skepticism about that semi auto. Would you know what year that one would be? On the site it states "Partial serial number C 837. Cal .45 refinished at the time of engraving." One of my friends said this "As for Al's favorite .45 in the auction, that's a Commemoration gun, certainly not from Thirties, probably not till Sixties or so, especially with the fancy target sights." Now I know Sonny Capone was an accomplished target shooter and even did the gunsmithing himself. That would explain those sights. He used test new ammo for the Florida police dept. He was in many competitions that made the newspapers. What I wonder is maybe Al gave him this gun? That would be only with your expertise on the date? If not then it's most likely Sonny's and not Al's? Thank-you for any light you can shed on this?

Yes sir! you are 100% correct! It's Alphonse Capone with his brother John (Erminio) in Brooklyn.

Although he only probably held the weapon once in his lifetime, the taller young boy's legacy would be forever tied to the Thompson submachine gun. http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/2d9d9afd0.jpg

Here we go again! Initially called the new Capone movie now called " " is due out in May. Those wanting to enjoy a movie for boredom's sake then this should be fine. But for those looking for a history lesson then this movie is a huge dud! Check out the gold plated Thompson!!!! A picture is worth a thousand words Mario Gomes .http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/2ba515fd0.jpg

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/sandy-jones-obituary?pid=188271898 Part of what I call the three amigos, (Mattix, Helmer and Jones). The Elite Afficionados on John Dillinger and other bandit / gangster era research.Their offbeat humor and banter during some email exchanges were out of this world and just plain hilarious! I was lucky enough to be included in some of them and will cherish that until I die.Sandy was the ultimo walking John Dillinger encyclopedia and collector. (Bonnie and Clyde too). He knew most of their families intimately. His collection was supreme. It was later sold and is now in a museum. Master brewer, antique car fanatic, BBQ enthusiast, and all around good guy. Was very knowledgeable on gangster era weapons and their every minute detail.The greatest honor I ever had was his brutally honest opinions on collecting and the compliments he threw my way whenever I uncovered something new for my collection. He will be sorely missed, but not forgotten! We will all meet again one day and shoot the shit as we all did so well on earth! Mario Gomes - www.myalcaponemuseum.com

After researching it for a number of years I can find no concrete proof. Seems to be the invention of a Secret Service Agent who was writing a book in the 40's and 50's and needed some embellishing to sell it. See my webpage on it http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/id196.htm Pay particular attention to the photo and date of the Presidential motorcade leaving the White House for Congress to give Roosevelt's famous speech. Doesn't look like the Capone 1928 Caddy as mentioned in the story. Capone never owned a convertible armored vehicle. Wouldn't make sense as far as protection. A rival could machine gun the top like swiss cheese and worse if it were open could pop a shot off from a rooftop or throw a grenade in it. If the Government was really hard up at the time I would think they would just use an armored vehicle from the army and not put the President in a known convicted criminal's car. Mario Gomes www.myalcaponemuseum.com

Not the case since the S batch that was used in the St. Valentine Massacre was produced between July 1927 to July 1928 at the Winchester plant in New Haven, Connecticut.

I'm now satisfied with what I have come up with. Much speculation has been made over the years about the what the "S" signifies. Many claim it meant smokeless or staynless. Neither one makes any sense because smokeless was invented at the turn of the century. There was no need to make a special stamp on live rounds when smokeless rounds were by now the norm and was printed on the ammo boxes. Another claim such as Staynless was a particular branding by Winchester for Winchester ammo and was not associated with U.S. Cartridge Co. ammo, even though the company that owned Winchester by this time owned U.S. Cartridge Co. Staynless is also not feasible because the were many other different rounds made by U.S. Cartridge Co. that had the S stamp and were made of copper and other metals. http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/1x1.gifAn S die could have just been chosen at random to do the year long control sample run or it could have meant just that, Sample? How about S for Sporting ammo? (Non military). All good theories, but from all the evidence I have looked at and from Goddard's own mouth is the simple answer that the S stamped on these bullets were merely a manufacturer's mark representing the U.S. Cartridge Co. http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/1x1.gifBy the end of 1926, much of the U.S. Cartridge Co's ammo manufacturing machinery left Lowell Massachusetts and was moved to New Haven, Connecticut at the Winchester plant.

Thank-you David and Ron,

Thank-you David, how about now? Do they work?

I've been searching and getting different answers. Anyone in the know care to take a stab at what this could mean. I was told smokeless but another ammo expert and even Bill Helmer told me that it wasn't for smokeless because smokeless was invented at the turn of the century and wouldn't need any special marking for them. Photos from the William Helmer collection. http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/223734400.jpg http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/223258c20.jpg http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/223a39a50.jpg

Congratulations Dan!! For me it's more like lucky Huckabee got to meet wood artist Mr. Dan Block and shoot his Thompson!!! It must have been just as cool for him!

Well here is their official announcement! Funny they should say first time public sees this stuff. It's only been on my website for the past 4 years. Ah well! Mario http://themobmuseum.org/events-posts/february-13-14-fourth-anniversary-reunites-tommy-guns-and-new-ballistic-evidence-with-st-valentines-day-massacre-wall/

That's right! We can afford it today!! Lol!

Thank-you Chuck! The honor is mine.

Thank-you Sandy!

I would have loved this Massacre evidence going to a Thompson collector museum rather than the Lost Vegas Knob Museum but hey that's life! That's the owner's choice. I was asked about the legal ramifications and if CPD could claim the stuff? I don't think CPD especially the City Of Chicago wants anything to do with this stuff in their city. They are so anti Capone or gangster era.

Sandy is THE BEST when it comes to Dilly and collecting! Lots of pointers from him or from following him re my collection on Capone,