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Colt M-1908, “Gangsta” Gun
PC18-2056 (Not for Sale)
This Colt Model 1908 remains in factory new condition with the original box, papers, cleaning brush, and second magazine. It also has a second set of grips made of Pearl. A very rare and desirable collectable firearm, but wait, it has a story too.
This Colt was shipped from the Colt factory, October 23, 1929, two months after the stock market crashed and the great depression began. It was ordered from Colt by H.E. Bartlet and shipped to P. Von Frantzius of Chicago Illinois.
Peter Von Frantzius was a notorious figure in Chicago. As the son of a wealthy man in the north side of Chicago he started selling firearms from his parents’ home. Success led him to open a shop in the North side. One of his advertised services was to remove serial numbers from firearms to prevent tracing them, his fee was $2.00. His notoriety comes from his customers. He became the “Armorer of Gangland”. He was the supplier to the North Side Gang of Chicago’s underworld during prohibition. The North Siders were enemies of Capones boys.
The Thompson Submachine guns used at the St. Valentines Day Massacre were traced back to Von Frantzius. The Thompsons were priced at $200, not a bad deal considering a Model transferable 1921 Thompson will sell for around $50,000 today.
H.E. Bartlett ordered a pistol from Colt and had it delivered to Von Frantzius. I can’t find information on Bartlett, so a lot of questions remain open. Was he an innocent citizen or a hidden gangster? How did this Colt survive in New condition with its connection to the Chicago Gangland wars? They all have a story and provide a window to history.