Peter Von Frantzius

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Peter Von Frantzius

Gangland Armourer.

A few sporting good stores in the 20's supplied the gangs directly or indirectly with their weapons of choice to create mayhem in Chicago.There was Louis Scaramuzzo 851 South Halstead street,

Von Longerke and Antoine at 130 South Wabash (later 33 S.Wabash)

The most famous of one of all was Peter Von Frantzius.Peter came from a rich German family whose father made his fortunes in market speculation.

Von Frantzius started selling guns via mailorder from his parents home.He became quite successful and with the funds acquired set up his own shop at 608 Diversey Parkway.

Many guns found at and around murder scenes were traced to his shop.Notably the machinegun used at Frankie Yale's murder and the machineguns found in Fred "Killer" Burke's posession.These were positively linked to the St. Valentine's day massacre and linked to Von Frantzius.

Peter Von Frantzius (right) being questioned by Herman Bundesen at the St. Val Massacre inquest.

When investigators visited Von Frantzius' shop at 608 Diversey they found a tree trunk in the back of the shop used for target practice with thompsons.

Most thompsons were purchased by gangland through an agent.

Example of a popular machine gun dealer at the time was Frank V. Thompson.He would purchase dozens of Thompsons from Von Frantzius and in turn sell them to various gangsters at a higher mark up.

Front page of VonFrantzius 1927 catalog.

(Mario Gomes Collection)

Von Frantzius always made sure his customer came first.

(Mario Gomes Collection)

Catalog page showing theThompson for sale by Von Frantzius.One simple Thompson without the cutts compensator to prevent rise in firing the weapon cost $175

For $200 you could have the gun with the compensator and a 20 rd clip.

Also in the catalog you could seperately purchase 20 rd clip,50 and 100 rd drum and 100 rds of .45 ammo at $4.72

(Mario Gomes Collection)

Gangland rejoiced in the acquirability of the Thompson.

For $2.00 Von Frantzius would remove the serial number off any weapon sold.

This was done to avoid traceability to the crime.Von Frantzius employed an Austrian gunsmith by the name of Valentine Juch. Both he and Von Frantzius were very obliging at a price for certain illegal services such as selling weapons with filed off serial numbers and keeping the buyers name off the records in his shop.During the St .Val inquest Von Frantzius was asked point blank how he felt about the guns he sold ended up in the hands of gangsters.He simply replied that all he cared was to sell them and make his money.

Situated in the Northside, his shop equally served all the gangs of Chicago.The Northsiders bought many guns and were regular customers.Peter Von Frantzius was also an inventor with various patents to his name.


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A few sporting good stores in the 20's supplied the gangs directly or indirectly with their weapons of choice to create mayhem in Chicago.There was Louis Scaramuzzo 851 South Halstead street, Von Longerke and Antoine at 130 South Wabash (later 33 S.Wabash) The most famous of one of all was Peter Von Frantzius.Peter came from a rich German family whose father made his fortunes in market speculation. Von Frantzius started selling guns via mailorder from his parents home.He became quite successful and with the funds acquired set up his own shop at 608 Diversey Parkway. Many guns found at and around murder scenes were traced to his shop.Notably the machinegun used at Frankie Yale's murder and the machineguns found in Fred "Killer" Burke's posession.These were positively linked to the St. Valentine's day massacre and linked to Von Frantzius. Peter Von Frantzius (right) being questioned by Herman Bundesen at the St. Val Massacre inquest. When investigators visited Von Frantzius' shop at 608 Diversey they found a tree trunk in the back of the shop used for target practice with thompsons. Most thompsons were purchased by gangland through an agent. Example of a popular machine gun dealer at the time was Frank V. Thompson.He would purchase dozens of Thompsons from Von Frantzius and in turn sell them to various gangsters at a higher mark up. Front page of VonFrantzius 1927 catalog. (Mario Gomes Collection) Von Frantzius always made sure his customer came first. (Mario Gomes Collection) Catalog page showing theThompson for sale by Von Frantzius.One simple Thompson without the cutts compensator to prevent rise in firing the weapon cost $175 For $200 you could have the gun with the compensator and a 20 rd clip. Also in the catalog you could seperately purchase 20 rd clip,50 and 100 rd drum and 100 rds of .45 ammo at $4.72 (Mario Gomes Collection) Gangland rejoiced in the acquirability of the Thompson. For $2.00 Von Frantzius would remove the serial number off any weapon sold. This was done to avoid traceability to the crime.Von Frantzius employed an Austrian gunsmith by the name of Valentine Juch. Both he and Von Frantzius were very obliging at a price for certain illegal services such as selling weapons with filed off serial numbers and keeping the buyers name off the records in his shop.During the St .Val inquest Von Frantzius was asked point blank how he felt about the guns he sold ended up in the hands of gangsters.He simply replied that all he cared was to sell them and make his money. Situated in the Northside, his shop equally served all the gangs of Chicago.The Northsiders bought many guns and were regular customers.Peter Von Frantzius was also an inventor with various patents to his name.