| John Dillinger's Pistol | |
|---|---|
| |
|
Origin |
John Dillinger |
|
Type |
Wooden Pistol |
|
Effects |
Can generate a grievous splinter wound at the target |
|
Downsides |
Tendency to turn on the user after several uses |
|
Activation |
Shooting |
|
Collected by |
Warehouse 13 |
|
Section |
|
|
Aisle |
9406455-24916 |
|
Shelf |
3274908-4862-558 |
|
Date of Collection |
May 3, 1938 |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
John Herbert Dillinger (June 22, 1903 – July 22, 1934) was an American gangster during the Great Depression. He commanded the Dillinger Gang, which was accused of robbing twenty-four banks and four police stations from September 1933 to July 1934. The gang employed military-inspired tactics taught to them in prison by men such as Herman Lamm. Tactics included the use of roles during the robbery: Lookout, getaway driver, lobby man, and vault man. Gang members had modern weapons like the Thompson submachine gun and also had bulletproof vests. During this crime spree, the gang killed 10 and wounded 7. Dillinger was imprisoned several times and escaped twice.
Dillinger courted publicity. The media printed exaggerated accounts of his bravado and colorful personality, and described him as a Robin Hood-type figure. In response, J. Edgar Hoover, director of the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), used Dillinger as justification to evolve the BOI into the FBI, developing more sophisticated investigative techniques as weapons against organized crime.
On January 25, 1934, Dillinger and his gang were captured in Tucson, Arizona and extradited to Indiana. Local police boasted to area newspapers that the jail was escape-proof and had posted extra guards as a precaution. However, on Saturday, March 3, 1934, Dillinger was able to escape during morning exercises with fifteen other inmates. Dillinger produced a pistol, catching deputies and guards by surprise, and was able to leave the premises without firing a shot. FBI files indicate that Dillinger used a carved fake pistol with a razor and some shelving in his cell to strongarm an escape.
After evading police in four states for almost a year, Dillinger was wounded in a gunfight and went to his father's home to recover. He returned to Chicago in July 1934 and sought refuge in a brothel who later informed authorities of his whereabouts. On July 22, 1934, local and federal law-enforcement officers closed in on the Biograph Theater. Agents report he reached into his pocket but failed to extract his gun and fled into an alley. Dillinger was fatally shot in the short chase.
Effects[]
Will generate a “bullet” made from the wood stock of the carving itself. Creates a small but sharp splinter to size of a small bullet that can pierce through several feet of most soft matter. The pistol becomes uncooperative after multiple uses and can almost enact its own will upon the user. May not fire at all, shoot when not on target or even in severe cases point itself at the holder.