Barrow Gang Artifact: 1911 Pistol Captured during the Dexter Amusement Park Shoot Out.

This pistol is a historical treasure with connections to two significant narratives in American history: the infamous Barrow Gang of Bonnie and Clyde fame, and a decorated career of Rear Admiral William Cecil Vose. Its rarity and provenance make it an exceptional collector's piece.

The weapon was seized in the Dexter, Iowa shootout on July 24, 1933. This marked a pivotal moment in the decline of the infamous Barrow Gang. After a string of robberies and murders, Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow, and their associates sought refuge at Dexfield Park, an abandoned amusement park near Dexter. The gang, weakened by a recent confrontation in Missouri, included Bonnie, Clyde, Marvin “Buck” Barrow, his wife Blanche, and W.D. Jones. Buck was gravely injured from a previous shootout, suffering a serious head wound. Their presence aroused suspicion among locals, who noticed unusual activity at the campsite and alerted authorities. A posse of law enforcement officers and armed citizens surrounded the area in the early morning hours.

A fierce gunfight ensued when the posse attempted to capture the gang. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Bonnie and Clyde managed to escape with W.D. Jones, though Bonnie sustained a burn from a car fire, and Clyde was grazed by a bullet. Marvin Buck Barrow was fatally wounded during the battle, and Blanche Barrow was captured.

Blanche's involvement in the Barrow Gang began in earnest in 1933 when Buck reunited with Clyde. Although she reportedly disliked the gang's lifestyle and feared the violence, Blanche traveled with the group during some of their most dangerous periods. She was present at several major incidents, including the shootout in Joplin, Missouri, in April 1933, where two law enforcement officers were killed. Blanche’s diary entries and recollections later provided vivid details about life on the run with the gang.

Her role in the gang was less active than Bonnie's; she was not involved in planning or carrying out crimes but was more of a witness and an unwilling accomplice. Blanche’s primary concern was her husband, Buck, who was severely injured in a shootout in Platte City, Missouri, in July 1933. Following the gang's retreat to Dexfield Park near Dexter, Iowa, Buck was further wounded, and Blanche herself sustained shrapnel injuries and was blinded in one eye during the Dexter shootout. While Bonnie, Clyde, and W.D. Jones escaped, Blanche and the mortally wounded Buck were captured by law enforcement. Buck died days later from his injuries.

Blanche was convicted of her involvement with the gang and sentenced to ten years in prison. She served six years before being paroled in 1939. After her release, she remarried and lived a quiet life, avoiding publicity about her past. In her later years, Blanche expressed remorse for her association with the Barrow Gang, maintaining that she had been dragged into their lifestyle by her love for Buck. She contributed to the public's fascination with the gang, serving as a consultant on the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, which portrayed her as a hysterical figure—a characterization she resented. Blanche died in 1988 at the age of 77.

The gang left behind a cache of weapons, ammunition, and stolen items. This shootout was a significant blow to the Barrow Gang, symbolizing the beginning of the end for their criminal reign, which ultimately concluded with Bonnie and Clyde’s deaths in a police ambush less than a year later.

Police stand over a mortally wounded Buck Barrow

The deaths of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow on May 23, 1934, marked the violent end of one of America’s most infamous criminal duos. After two years of robberies, murders, and narrow escapes, they were ambushed by law enforcement in a dramatic confrontation near Gibsland, Louisiana.

By 1934, Bonnie and Clyde had become notorious figures, constantly on the run from police across multiple states. Their string of crimes, including the killing of law enforcement officers, intensified the manhunt. Texas Ranger **Frank Hamer** was brought out of retirement to lead the pursuit. Over the course of three months, Hamer and his team tracked Bonnie and Clyde through tips and sightings, eventually predicting their movements.

The ambush was carefully planned. Hamer and his posse, including officers from Louisiana and Texas, set up along a rural road near Bienville Parish, where they knew Bonnie and Clyde would be traveling to visit a gang member's family. At dawn on May 23, the officers concealed themselves in the bushes along the road, armed with high-powered rifles and shotguns.

When Clyde's stolen Ford V8 approached, the officers opened fire without warning. Accounts suggest that Clyde was killed instantly by a shot to the head, while Bonnie screamed before being struck by a hail of bullets. The entire ambush lasted less than two minutes, with more than 130 rounds fired at the car. Both bodies were riddled with bullets, and their lifeless forms remained slumped in the vehicle as stunned onlookers began to gather.

The scene quickly turned chaotic as locals descended on the site, attempting to grab souvenirs, including pieces of the car and locks of Bonnie’s hair. The bullet-riddled Ford V8, with Bonnie and Clyde still inside, was eventually towed into Arcadia, Louisiana, where their bodies were removed and prepared for burial.

Bonnie and Clyde were buried separately in Texas. Bonnie's family refused her wish to be laid to rest beside Clyde, whom they blamed for leading her into a life of crime. Their deaths ended the Barrow Gang’s reign and solidified their legacy as symbols of rebellion and infamy during the Great Depression. Despite their violent deeds, Bonnie and Clyde became romanticized figures in popular culture, with their story immortalized in books, songs, and films.

The Pistol

Key Highlights:

1. Barrow Gang Connection:

   - This Colt 1911 pistol, serial number 8761, is documented in the Springfield Research Service (SRS) as part of the arsenal recovered after the Dexter, Iowa shootout in July 1933.

   - This incident was pivotal in the decline of Bonnie and Clyde, resulting in the capture of Marvin Barrow and his wife, Maud.

   - The pistol was reportedly stolen from a National Guard armory in Enid, Oklahoma, weeks before its recovery, adding further intrigue to its backstory.

2. Naval Service and Admiral Vose Connection:

   - Originally issued to the U.S. Navy in 1912 and delivered to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, this pistol eventually became the property of William Cecil Vose, who later became a Rear Admiral.

   - Vose’s storied career included serving in WWI, addressing torpedo deficiencies in WWII, and commanding the USS Vicksburg during critical Pacific operations like Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

3. Historical and Physical Rarity:

   - Manufactured during the first year of Colt 1911 production, it bears the desirable "Model of 1911 US NAVY" marking and retains original features like the early rounded sight and correct production parts.

   - While refinished after WWII service, it retains its original slide and frame, with only light pitting expected from use in maritime environments.

4. Provenance Documentation:

   - The pistol is accompanied by extensive research, including:

     - A signed evaluation by 1911 expert Scott Gahimer.

     - The Colt archive letter confirming its Navy shipment.

     - Documentation connecting it to both the Barrow Gang recovery and Rear Admiral Vose's family.

Historical and Collector Value:

- With documented links to both a notorious criminal episode and a decorated naval officer, this pistol combines cultural and military history.

- The unique "US NAVY" marking and early serial number further enhance its desirability.

This firearm represents a rare convergence of crime, military, and personal legacy, making it an extraordinary piece for collectors and historians alike.