American organized crime boss (1899–1947), who, through his charisma, political savvy, and sheer ruthless ambition, emerged as the most powerful and influential criminal figure of the Prohibition Era. A Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Semi-auto pistol owned by Al Capone. #148999, cal. .25 ACP, 2 1/8″ barrel. The pistol retains about 70% factory blue with fine condition checkered black hard rubber factory grips. The mechanics are fine, all factory lettering is clear, and a proper two-tone magazine is included.
Included is a copy of a notarized letter dated September 11, 2000, from the owner to Greg Martin of Butterfield’s Auction House. He states that he will be 78 years old shortly, and that when he was about ten years old he lived in Chicago and that his father, Luigi Mascarello, was a bootlegger who worked for Al Capone. He further states that Al Capone would stop at his house to eat his mother’s Italian cooking and that Al Capone gave this pistol to his folks for protection. He says that his father died when his car ran into a freight train while he was being pursued by the police.
This transfers as a modern firearm.
Provenance: Al Capone
Luigi Mascarello
Philip Mascarello
Butterfield’s Auction House
