A new exhibit at the Mob Museum showcases Al Capone’s favorite pistol and a rare home movie
Diane Capone Pette, Al Capone’s granddaughter, shared some cool stories about her grandpa. She remembers how his name carried weight, even on the playground. Kids would point and say, “That’s a Capone!”
Pette describes her granddad as a complex guy. Sure, he had a tough reputation, but at home, he was loving and loyal. The exhibit features not just the pistol but also a short home movie he filmed in 1929.
After Capone passed away in 1947, his belongings stayed in the family. Pette and her sisters auctioned some items to keep them safe from wildfires in California. The Colt 1911 .45-caliber pistol was one of their prized possessions.
Pette affectionately calls it “her” and says it was special to Capone, who believed it saved his life more than once. The Mob Museum’s historian, Geoff Shumacher, says these artifacts are unique and can’t be found anywhere else.
The home movie shows a day at Capone’s Miami mansion with friends, including fellow mobsters Lucky Luciano and Frank Costello. It’s a rare glimpse into his life outside the crime scene.
Pette has fond memories of her grandpa, especially their shared birthday celebrations. The last time she saw him, he was sick in bed, and she kissed him goodbye. His last words to her were, “I love you, baby girl.”
