The Mob Museum unveils ‘The First Public Enemy’
The Mob Museum announced the unveiling of a new permanent exhibit, “The First Public Enemy,” which explores the life and criminal empire of Al Capone.
Now on display are one-of-a-kind artifacts each providing a glimpse into Capone’s personal and public life, including his Colt 1911 .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol — nicknamed “Sweetheart”
There is also and a rare home movie from 1929.
At the center of “The First Public Enemy” is Capone’s “Sweetheart” pistol, displayed publicly for the first time ever.
The firearm, authenticated by the Office of the Colt Historian as a Colt 1911 manufactured in 1912, described by the family to have been referred to as “Sweetheart” by Capone for being his favorite firearm and for saving his life on multiple occasions.
Originally left to Al Capone’s wife, Mae, it was next passed to their son, Albert “Sonny” Capone. Sonny, an avid marksman and competition shooter, and made modifications to the firearm.
After Sonny’s death in 2004, the pistol came into the possession of daughters Diane and Barbara.
Capone’s pistol was later sold at a 2021 auction, marking the first time the firearm left the Capone family.
Due to its rarity and significance, the pistol sold in the auction for $1 million and in 2024 had pre-auction bids reaching $825,000.
The pistol was made available to the Museum through the generosity of a private contributor.
Accompanying the pistol is a home movie filmed in the spring of 1929 at Capone’s Miami Beach mansion. Shot by Capone on 16mm film, the footage offers rare and candid scenes of Charles “Lucky” Luciano and Frank Costello—two of the most prominent American mob bosses of the era.
With Capone’s family keeping the original film reel under wraps for more than 90 years, the footage has been shown publicly just once during the Museum’s 11th anniversary.
It is believed to have been filmed entirely by Capone himself, according to his granddaughters.
Al Capone’s nefarious activities included bootlegging, gambling and a host of other illicit rackets, all of which were marked by profound violence, exemplified by the 1929 St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
Inside the new exhibit, positioned between the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre wall and ballistics evidence and the Tax Evaders display on Capone’s prosecution, visitors will learn about Capone’s 1930 designation as Public Enemy Number One.
“Al Capone’s story exemplifies the depths of corruption and extreme violence that defined organized crime during its heyday,” said Geoff Schumacher, VP of exhibits and programs at The Mob Museum.
“These artifacts serve as a tangible link to the man whose criminal empire thrived on bribery, intimidation, and ruthless ambition.
“The First Public Enemy” is now open daily and is included with Museum admission.
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