A Blast from the Past

In a surprising discovery, staff members at a Chicago distillery, historically linked to mobster Al Capone, have unearthed a well-preserved handgun hidden behind a wall. Reports indicate that the firearm, a Colt pistol from 1908, was discovered in a concealed duct within the brewery’s catacombs.

Andrew Howell, the founder of Dead Drops Spirit Restaurant, mentioned that the weapon, which was chrome-plated and fully loaded, is believed to have been used by Capone and his associates. “We’re trying to learn more about it. We know it’s a Capone-era pistol, and it’s related to some of the people at the time,” Howell told a local news station.

Ari Crafter, the head distiller at the brewery, noted that local folklore has long included tales about the distillery’s connections to Capone during the 1920s. “It was taken over by Capone and the Chicago syndicate, and this firearm appears to be from that era,” Crafter shared.

Howell reflected on the legends surrounding the catacombs, which he described as the place where “Capone took people.” He added, “We always took that with a little bit of a grain of salt because there’s only so much history you can look up from that area. But actually seeing this in this day and age breathes new life into some of the stories we’ve heard for years.”

The Thornton Distillery is notable for being the oldest remaining former brewery in Illinois. Today, the catacombs function as the distillery’s artisan well, drawing in customers who enjoy snapping photos at the site.

Upon notifying the police about the find, Howell was informed that the weapon didn’t match any records in their system. The firearm was later removed from the premises and returned to the distillery.

Currently, efforts are being made to restore the gun to its original state so it can be showcased alongside other historical items at Thornton Distillery.