Mobster Memories: Tales of the Tommy Gun, Colt 1911, & Other Mob Favorites

In this week’s No Lowballers podcast by GoWild presented by GunBroker.com, we’re talking about guns that have connections … to the mob and organized crime. If you love the mobster scene and the classic mob movies, find out which of these guns you can take home to own yourself from GunBroker.com! What are some of the best mob movies of all time? 

We kick things off talking about the Thompson Submachine Gun a.k.a. The Tommy Gun. Is the Tommy Gun the quintessential gangster gun?? Did you know the background of this story starts near Louisville? Kentucky certainly has several more ties to the mob era–find out what other connections those are! Host Logan from High Caliber History recounts the exciting story of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, an event that made the Tommy Gun famous. Also be sure to check out The Mob Museum in Las Vegas to learn more about this and other historic events that shaped American history. Why did the military have no interest in this firearm when they first considered it?

Next, we’re talking about some of the handguns that have been associated with mobsters but also have had their place in the military, like the Colt 1911. Logan mentions a recognizable name in the firearm industry who has a highly unusual, ultra-modified 1911. Allen talks about why mobsters were able to out-gun police and law enforcement. We also take a hands-on look at the Smith & Wesson Military & Police .38 Special, a revolver that eventually went on to become the Smith & Wesson Model 10. We also peeked at a Colt 1903 Hammerless .32ACP. These calibers seem small by our standards today, but in their prime they brought plenty of knockdown power. Brad makes a great point about why both mobsters and military soldiers enjoyed these pocket pistols. 

We also talked about the game-changing National Firearms Act of 1934 and how that shaped firearm purchases for the future. This is when the federal government started to place restrictions, and more came with the Gun Control Act of 1968 and then the Hughes Amendment in 1986.

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The No Lowballers podcast is a brand new joint venture between GoWild and GunBroker.com to explore the history and heritage of firearms. We hope to expose you to the vintage guns of the golden age along with newer, modern guns, specialty items, and a few other odd balls along the way. Jump in and come along for the ride! 

The show launches every Thursday morning. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

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