Lot 3430

Browning Auto-5 Shotgun for Chicago Mayor "Big Bill" Thompson

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Browning Auto-5 Shotgun for Chicago Mayor "Big Bill" Thompson

Estimate: $8,500 - $13,000

Starting Bid: $7,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Historic Factory Panel Game Scene Engraved Belgian Browning Auto-5 Semi-Automatic Shotgun Presented to Chicago Mayor "Big Bill" Thompson Manufactured c. 1928 and beautifully factory embellished for presentation to Chicago Mayor William Hale "Big Bill" Thompson" by one of his close friends, Illinois Boxing Commissioner Al J. Mann. "Big Bill" Thompson served as Chicago's most recent Republican mayor, serving three terms, the first two from 1915-1923 and the final term from 1927-1931, the time at which this gun was presented to him. Thompson is now regarded as one of the most corrupt mayors the city has ever had and was closely, and openly, tied with Al Capone, who raised over $200,000 for Thompson's campaign and helped get him and other candidates elected in what is known as the "Pineapple Primary" due to the amount of bombings carried out at polling places to sway the election in Thompson's favor. The gun has a blued Special Steel barrel featuring a single bead on the matted solid rib, Ogden, Utah, markings, Liege proof marks, choke marked full, and chamber marked 2 3/4 inches. The barrel is fitted to the blued action which has been handsomely adorned with game scenes depicting a pair of setter flushing pheasant on the lower left and four pheasant cocks in flight above as well as two setters and mallards on the lower right beneath four flying mallards on the right. The underside has scrollwork with a pheasant on the trigger guard and a pair of pigeons on the tang. The gun is fitted with an attractively figured and multi-point checkered forend and round pistol grip stock with "TO MY BEST FRIEND/WILLIAM HALE THOMPSON/KNOCK EM DEAD/FROM/AL J. MANN/5-16-28" and factory buttplate. Stock measurements: 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2 1/4 inch drop at heel; 14 1/2 inch length of pull; weight 8 lbs. 2 oz.

Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale

Model: Auto 5

BBL: 29 1/2 inch solid rib

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 12

Finish: blue

Serial Number89060

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

  • Condition: Very fine overall, retaining 95% original blue finish, with distinct engraving, some light wear, minor spotting, a few dings and dents in the wood, a horizontal hairline crack at the left rear of the forend, and crisp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000