The St. Valentine Massacre guns today

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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.

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.

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.

(Courtesy of Mr. Chuck Schauer)

Close up of the front

(Courtesy of Mr. Chuck Schauer)

Thompson massacre gun serial number 7580

(Courtesy of Mr. Chuck Schauer)

Massacre gun serial number 2347.These two weapons made a surprise visit to a Thompson association show in which this thompson was fired by a few lucky shooters.

(Courtesy of Mr. Chuck Schauer)

Spent shells recently fired from Massacre Thompson 2347.

(Special thanks to Mr. Chuck Schauer for these)

Two of the drums pick up from Fred "Killer" Burkes home by police.These guns were proven by ballistics to have been used in the massacre of Feb.14,1929.

(Photo courtesy of Mr. Randall Ellsworth)

Massacre gun from February 14,1929.The discolouration is from acid used to raise the serial numbers which were ground off by the killers or a gunsmith. This Tommy gun is serial number 7580. It was sold to one James"Bozo" Shupe a criminal who was killed on Chicago's west side.Ballistics expert Calvin Goddard used acid to awe the Coroner's jury when in fact the serial number could have simply been found inside the gun or by contacting Colt arms to examine it.

(Photo courtesy of Mr. Randall Ellsworth)

Photo of one of the St. Valentine's day massacre guns at the Berrien County Sheriff's office.

No 2347 was purchased by Deputy Sheriff Les Farmer of Marion, Illinois on November 12,1924.Farmer had hooked up with the Egan's Rats gang before they had collapsed as a gang and the gun evetually ended up in Fred Burke's posession. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Randall Ellsworth).

To give you an idea of what went down that day back in February of 1929, here is a link to the massacre movie at youtube.

Although the firing time in that scene is greatly exaggerated, here is an honest version of how long it takes to empty a 50 round Thompson drum.

If you want to learn more about the Tommy gun, please visit these informative and interesting links below

For a more interesting look at Thompsons and thompson enthusiasts, a must stop place is Mike Hensley's

Thompson machine gun website at

Another informative and impressive Thompson machine gun is Jack's website at www.1927a1.com

First Posted October 2004


	My Al Capone Museum \| home MY AL CAPONE MUSEUM \| F.A.Q.'S \| Al Capone's Personal Telephone \| Al Capone's Personal Straw Boater \| Al Capone Framed Signature \| Al Capone's light fixtures \| Al Capone's Silver Tray \| SVD Massacre bullet fragments \| Interesting items retrieved from Al Capone's Lexington office suite and hallway \| Alton Hotel Relics \| 7244 Prairie Avenue \| 93 Palm Avenue \| 93 Palm Avenue Part 2 \| 93 Palm Avenue Part 3 \| 93 Palm Avenue Part 4 \| New 93 Palm Avenue home \| New Palm Avenue home Part 2 \| Artifacts from 93 Palm Avenue \| The Capone era Cicero, Illinois \| The Four Deuces (2222 South Wabash) \| Al Capone's Bathroom Tile From The Lexington Hotel \| Inside The Lexington Hotel \| Geraldo's Capone Vault Grand Opening \| Lexington's Destruction \| X Marks the Spot magazine \| Capone Magazines and Booklets \| Capone Videos \| Capone Books \| Knick Knacks \| Capone's Chicago \| Chicago photos \| Capone Documents \| Capone Photographs \| Capone Photographs 2 \| Capone Photographs 3 \| My History channel Shoot \| Gravesites \| Gravesites 2 \| Capone at the Ballpark \| Al Capone's Funeral \| The St. Valentine's Day Massacre \| The Massacre Pt.2 \| Massacre Victim's Stats. \| Massacre News blurbs \| Some Theories on the Valentine Massacre \| Discounted Valentine Massacre theories \| Valentine Killers? \| The St. Valentine's Day Massacre Wall bricks \| The St. Valentine Massacre guns today \| The Infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre forensic evidence \| The Adonis Social Club Incident \| When, Where and How did they die? \| Mugshots \| Gangster facts and side stories \| The Obituaries \| Gangster talk \| Gangster Molls \| William Hale Thompson \| Gangland Armourers \| The Chicago Typewriter \| Gangster Hitspots \| Mae Capone \| Louise Rolfe \| Alberto Anselmi and Giovanni Scalise \| Frank Parker \| William Niemoth \| Jack Guzik \| Samuel "Golf bag"Hunt \| Jake Lingle \| Frankie Yale \| Samoots Ammatuna \| Jack Zuta \| Leo Vincent Brothers \| Edward David Vogel \| Johnny Torrio \| Joe E. 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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. (Courtesy of Mr. Chuck Schauer) Close up back view. (Courtesy of Mr. Chuck Schauer) Close up of the front (Courtesy of Mr. Chuck Schauer) Thompson massacre gun serial number 7580 (Courtesy of Mr. Chuck Schauer) Massacre gun serial number 2347.These two weapons made a surprise visit to a Thompson association show in which this thompson was fired by a few lucky shooters. (Courtesy of Mr. Chuck Schauer) Spent shells recently fired from Massacre Thompson 2347. (Special thanks to Mr. Chuck Schauer for these) Two of the drums pick up from Fred "Killer" Burkes home by police.These guns were proven by ballistics to have been used in the massacre of Feb.14,1929. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Randall Ellsworth) Massacre gun from February 14,1929.The discolouration is from acid used to raise the serial numbers which were ground off by the killers or a gunsmith. This Tommy gun is serial number 7580. It was sold to one James"Bozo" Shupe a criminal who was killed on Chicago's west side.Ballistics expert Calvin Goddard used acid to awe the Coroner's jury when in fact the serial number could have simply been found inside the gun or by contacting Colt arms to examine it. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Randall Ellsworth) Photo of one of the St. Valentine's day massacre guns at the Berrien County Sheriff's office. No 2347 was purchased by Deputy Sheriff Les Farmer of Marion, Illinois on November 12,1924.Farmer had hooked up with the Egan's Rats gang before they had collapsed as a gang and the gun evetually ended up in Fred Burke's posession. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Randall Ellsworth). To give you an idea of what went down that day back in February of 1929, here is a link to the massacre movie at youtube. MASSACRE SCENE Although the firing time in that scene is greatly exaggerated, here is an honest version of how long it takes to empty a 50 round Thompson drum. 50 ROUND THOMPSON DUMP Not enough? If you want to learn more about the Tommy gun, please visit these informative and interesting links below For a more interesting look at Thompsons and thompson enthusiasts, a must stop place is Mike Hensley's Thompson machine gun website at http://mikesmachineguns.homestead.com/MikesMachineGuns.html Totally awesome! Another informative and impressive Thompson machine gun is Jack's website at www.1927a1.com First Posted October 2004