Delaware attic held secret to historic museum burglary spree — and a million-dollar gun
- Thread starter chuck1956
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Quite a story. Wonderful.
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Thanks! Am forwarding this to various guys who will be interested!
Delaware? Joe Biden's home?
Seriously, how is it that 16 museums had such poor security.
Seriously, how is it that 16 museums had such poor security.
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He has them all stored with hunters laptop, classified documents, and his brain in the garage.
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Back in the 60's & 70's, when the baby-boom generation was coming up and getting interested in history and collecting, there were a small number of people who realized that tiny museums and historical societies existed in a seemingly more innocent time, and were ill- prepared or funded to procure modern burglary systems. Famously, a small WW1 museum packed with now-valuable relics near Valley Forge, Pa., was broken into and a rare Mauser bolt action anti-tank gun was stolen. (Wonder if it will ever surface? It's under the NFA Act.) Small historical societies were approached by individuals who offered to, say, pay for a new roof in exchange for a (rare) uniform or some such. Many cannons were taken from cemeteries under less than advantageous terms. Well, Joe doesn't have to worry about his 'Vette being stolen, unless he drives it into Philly!
BillKilgore
50 cal.
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I would have loved to photograph those old weapons.
Amazing recovery! Quite the read!
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Corbett should have been sentenced to the remainder of his life at the Pietta factory correcting defects.....Seriously i am shocked under this day and age that anyone would have even cared this much.
An unusual case in some ways, but also typical in other ways. The "Happy Time" for burglars has passed thanks to technology and widespread use of CCTV and silent alarm systems. During the era of the thefts, professional burglars were highly-respected by career criminals both inside and outside prison walls. Unless Corbett had a secret life, I seriously doubt he was the actual thief in at least some of the thefts. More likely he had "Middlemen" who knew he would pay for specific hot items.
In "crime history", we're talking about pros, not crack heads. Guys that used burning bars to rob safes. Men who planned "jobs" of specific targets, not flash mobs storming jewelry stores with hammers. No cellphones, internet, even beepers. Communication between agencies was sketchy, national crime reporting just beginning. One thing's certain - some one had to spot the items before the thefts and know how to move them without getting caught.
Regardless of the valuable article, there will always be Corbetts - willing to acquire stolen things without a second thought. Be careful what you post online.
In "crime history", we're talking about pros, not crack heads. Guys that used burning bars to rob safes. Men who planned "jobs" of specific targets, not flash mobs storming jewelry stores with hammers. No cellphones, internet, even beepers. Communication between agencies was sketchy, national crime reporting just beginning. One thing's certain - some one had to spot the items before the thefts and know how to move them without getting caught.
Regardless of the valuable article, there will always be Corbetts - willing to acquire stolen things without a second thought. Be careful what you post online.
And now the politics
I just finished reading the story and of course very happy to hear about the repatriation of these historical firearms. I can recall going to museums in the 1970's on school field trips and family vacations and marveling at all of the weapons that were on display. I can also remember though that it seemed like anybody could just walk up to and touch many of these items, and thinking something is going to get stolen! Guess I was right but as others have already commented, technology will likely keep it from happening again - hopefully!
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The first time I visited the Museum of the Confederacy in the early 1970's, it was still in the Presidential Mansion in downtown Richmond, VA. I was shocked how many original colors, guns, uniforms, etc. were not even behind glass; but actually were on open racks or shelves. Visitors were asked not to handle them and most didn't, but even then I could not believe thieves would not rob the place blind.
Now when they moved the Museum to a brand new building next door, the original items were all under glass, etc. and modern security measures.
Gus
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The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia has many firearms on display. Some of the recovered bits of history may end up there if they cannot be returned to the places where they were taken.
The really sad part is this museum is in Philadelphia. I have been there once, several years ago. But I hate cities. That keeps me from returning to the museum again.
The really sad part is this museum is in Philadelphia. I have been there once, several years ago. But I hate cities. That keeps me from returning to the museum again.
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If you don't like cities, you'll REALLY not like Philly! Outrageous literal assassinations, one guy shot 70 times on his porch recently. A 15 year old chased down the street and shot 10 times dead. All in the news.
I drove up from near Baltimore to see the Museum of the American Revolution in January of last year, specifically to see the Don Troiani painting exhibit, which by the way, was well worth the trip. That said, it was on a Sunday and nothing bad happened to me nor did I witness any crime while I was in the city, which I think as evidenced by what gets reported in the news was very lucky for me. It's sad that today we need to gauge whether or not we travel to see a museum or any other attraction really, on whether or not we will be placing ourselves in danger.
