The St. Valentine Massacre guns today

My Al Capone Museum | home

I want to express my deep felt thanks to a few individuals who help my goal of actually seeing and holding the murder weapons used in the world reknown unsolved crime called the St.valentine's day massacre.

I have been following this crime since 1987 at the same time as the subject of Al Capone.

First off my deep appreciation for Mr. Randall Ellsworth who helped me get the private viewing. Thank-you Randall you're a great human being.

I want to thank the Sheriff of Berrien county Sheriff Paul Bailey who gave the okay.

Bill Marks for being kind in contacting me and giving directions.

Lt. Michael W. Kline who treated us as Rick Mattix stated "Like Royalty"

I really never met such a nice gentleman as Lt. Kline who took the time to explain the history of the guns and patiently let us take all the photos we wanted.Thank-you!

And of course Rick Mattix and Linda Mattix for driving me there my deepest thank-you!

Now on to the photos.

Arriving in St.Joseph from Chicago Sept.13,2004

Taking a breather Linda and Rick Mattix, author and friend.

Entrance to Berrien County Sheriff's dept.

The armoury where the Massacre guns are kept.

The two thompsons used in the massacre in great condition.

One thompson still has acid marks from Calvin Goddard's resurfacing of the serial numbers in 1929.The other gun was re-blued when a water leak in the armoury caused it to rust.

Closer view of acid marks for raising serial numbers very visible today.

Gun serial number 2347

Fred "Killer" Burke's bullet proof vest found with the massacre guns hidden in his Stevensville home.Note the vest is deteriorated and the steel plates are coming undone.

Tag on bullet proof vest made in Chicago.

Author Rick Mattix getting ready to mow somebody down with Colt 21 AC.

Note the hundred round "C" drum and cutts compensator.

Click on above photo to take you to author/historian Rick Mattix's valentine massacre webpage.

Rick holding the other thompson 21 A with a 50 round L drum

(without a cutts compensator).

The very kind Lt. Michael Kline watches on as I give my best tommy toting pose.Heavy gun with the 100 round drum.

50 round chopper

Group shot. Lt. Kline,me and Rick Mattix

Lt. Kline patiently and ethusiastically explains about the bullet proof vest he is about to unveil from the box.

Hundred round "C" drum

Used in the massacre were only one 50 rd drum and one 20 rd stick magazine.The hundred round drum along with many other clips were found in Burke's posession besides the massacre guns.

50 rd Drum serial No: 3026

The "C" drum's serial numbers are ground off.

Fred "Killer" Burke's tools of the trade.

Another view in the case.Actual retrieval from Burke's home did not include this case.The cases found at Burke's home were more similar to suitcase luggage.

.45 caliber bullet from Fred Burke's arms cache.

(Special thanks to Mr. Bill Helmer)

U.S. Cartridge co. 17

Well preserved by the Berrien county gunsmith.These guns were fired in a recent documentary.

Newspaper clippings tell the story of Burke's arrest after shooting an innocent policeman.This was probably done on purpose by Burke to avoid prosecution in Chicago for the seven massacre deaths.

A jovial Burke happy to be arrested.He first thought the arresting police where hitmen sent to shut him up.

Click on the photo for more info on Fred"Killer' Burke and his capture.

Additional Photos

The following photos are supplied by the kind permission of Mr. Chuck Schauer.

Mr. Schauer is an avid Massacre sleuth and Thompson machine gun expert.

Thompson drum once in ballistics expert Calvin Goddard possession. Ironically enough the serial number of this drum is 2122.Same as the address where Moran's men were killed.