Capone Auction Proves Crime Pays

That old saying about how crime doesn't pay? Forget about it. If anything, the auction of notorious gangster Al Capone's personal belongings proves that not only does crime pay, but it pays extremely well.

An impressive array of Capone’s possessions, including what was billed as his favorite gun, sold for more than $3.1 million during “A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone,” October 8 at Witherell’s.

The gun of the man known as “Scarface” – a Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic .45 – sold for $860,000, or more than $700,000 above its pre-auction estimate. With buyer’s premium, the anonymous purchaser paid $1,040,600 for the gun, which is believed to be the most for a 20th century firearm at auction.

Billed as Al Capone's favorite .45, this Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol sold for $1,040,600 with buyer's premium. Image courtesy Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell’s Inc.

Capone, who ruled Chicago’s underworld with an iron fist from 1925 to 1931, is believed to be behind more than 200 deaths, including the murders of seven in one of the most infamous crimes in U.S. history, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1929.

“We expected that Al Capone’s personal gun would be the top-selling item because we immediately received multiple six-figure bids when we announced the auction back in August,” said Brian Witherell, cofounder of Witherell’s. “The final selling price, along with the record number of registered bidders, completely exceeded our expectations. It really speaks to the notoriety and allure of Al Capone who is more widely known today than he was 100 years ago.”

Brian Witherell, cofounder of Witherell’s in Sacramento, California. Image courtesy Witherell's

The 174-lot auction attracted 1,500 registered bidders. Capone died in 1947. His belongings stayed in the family, eventually ending up with his four grandchildren, the daughters of his only child, Albert Francis “Sonny” Capone.

In addition to the record-setting .45, other top lots included:

Capone’s Colt .38-caliber semi-automatic pistol sold for $242,000 against an estimate of $30,000-$60,000. Image courtesy Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell’s Inc.

Al Capone’s monogramed Patek Philippe pocket watch sold for $229,900 against an estimate of $25,000-$50,000. Image courtesy Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell's

Al Capone’s platinum and diamond monogramed pocketknife sold for $78,650 against an estimate of $2,500-$5,000. Image courtesy Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell’s Inc.

Al Capone’s diamond monogram pendant sold for $72,600 against as estimate of $2,500-$5,000. Image courtesy Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell’s Inc.

Al and Mae Capone’s marble Madonna bust sold for $69,300 against as estimate of $5,000-$10,000. Image courtesy Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell’s Inc.

Personal letter from Capone to his son, Sonny, written from Alcatraz sold for $56,700 against as estimate of $25,000-$50,000. Image courtesy Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell’s Inc.

Related Content: The Complicated Life of Al Capone

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Paul KennedyAuthor

Paul Kennedy is Editorial Director of the Collectibles Group at AIM Media. He enjoys Mid-century design, photography, vintage movie posters and people with a good story to share. Kennedy has more than twenty-five years of experience in the antiques and collectibles field, including book publishing. Reach him at PKennedy@aimmedia.com.