London, Jan 3 (ANI): 'Deadly' firearms used by notorious criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow will be up for auction this month and are expected to fetch a whopping amount.
Parker and Barrow were gangsters who travelled the central United States during the Great Depression of 1931 to 1935. Although they were known for their chilling bank robberies, but often Barrow would insist on simply raiding small shops for their takings.
The firearms including 12-gauge Winchester shotgun and .45 calibre Thompson sub-machine gun (also known as a Tommy gun) were seized by the police after a daring raid on the duo that went wrong and two officers were killed in a hail of bullets.
An unnamed officer gave the weapons to a police colleague, and since then they have remained with the family.
But now, decades after the Great Depression, the law enforcement officer's great-grandson Mark Lairmore is selling the lot in a bid to share their unique history with the world, the Daily Mail reported.
Lairmore decided to sell the guns after his father, who passed them down to him, died.
"They have been in the Springfield Police Museum since 1973," Lairmore said.
"They were the major draw of the museum and I don't think they were all that anxious to give them up. But my father and grandfather have passed away, so the sentimental reasons to hold onto them are no longer there."
"I feel it's time for someone with an appreciation of antique guns and the history behind them owns them and cares for them."
Robert Mayo, who will auction the weapons at Mayo Auction and Realty, in Kansas City on January 21, said that the guns are highly collectible and would draw attention in any sale by their own history and merit.
"The Winchester model 1897 is a converted rifle, and the Thompson sub-machine gun is only legal to own by special permit," Mayo said.
"We are expecting specialist collectors and anyone interested in the mesmerising tale of Bonnie and Clyde from around the world to be interested in getting their hands on them," he added. (ANI)
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