LONDON (Reuters) – A revolver belonging to notorious American gangster Al Capone fetched 67,250 pounds ($110,000) at a London auction at Christie's on Wednesday. It had been expected to sell for 50-70,000 pounds.
The Colt .38 revolver was sold by a private collector, who provided an original personal letter from Madeleine Capone Morichetti, the widow of Al's brother Ralph Capone, confirming that the gun "previously belonged to and was only used by Al Capone while he was alive."
Colt records indicate that the pistol was made in May, 1929, just a few months after the famous Valentine's Day massacre in Chicago when seven people were killed in a prohibition-era clash between gangs including Capone's.
The successful buyer, who remained anonymous, was an online bidder.