A remarkable inside an Illinois distillery has stunned local historians and law enforcement after a fully loaded firearm from the Prohibition era was . The weapon, linked to the time when organized crime dominated the region, remained concealed for more than a century.
The gun, a Colt 1908 manufactured in 1921, was discovered at the Thornton Distilling Company, located in the oldest standing brewery in Illinois. The building, established in 1857, was historically tied to the Capone and Torrio families and the Chicago Outfit during Prohibition. The firearm was found sealed inside an underground limestone well on the property.
Andrew Howell, founder of the distillery, told Fox News Digital he discovered the pistol while inspecting a pathway to run a conduit. “Upon pulling back two large pieces, I found the gun,” Howell said. “It seems it was sealed in there long before the mortar began to deteriorate.”
The gun was holstered and fully loaded with a full magazine. Officers from the Thornton Police Department examined the weapon and confirmed it “is free of any criminal associations,” according to Howell. Police also noted the ammunition appears to date back to the 1920s.
Howell said his reaction was mixed. “I’m relieved we found it before any guests did, as we host tour groups down there often,” he said. “The vent is quite offputting, so we feel fortunate that a guest didn’t reach in there and explore.”
The distillery has uncovered other historic artifacts over the years, including beer order postcards and pre-Prohibition signage. Howell said the pistol will be added to the display. “We plan to showcase the pistol alongside these artifacts,” he said. “We look forward to learning more about its history.”
