KCTV 5Guns believed to be used by infamous criminals up for auction

Guns believed to be used by infamous criminals up for auction

They were two of the most notorious killers and bank robbers in U.S. history and some of their collectible memorabilia has become legendary but, on Saturday, the public will have a chance to own some of the Bonnie and Clyde collection.

During the 1930s, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker terrorized banks and small towns all over the Midwest, including Kansas City. The two once even had a hideout in St. Joseph and were involved in a shootout with officers in Platte City.

Police finally caught up with the couple, killing them in May of 1934 in Louisiana - Clyde was 25 and Bonnie was just 23.

"To have a female criminal of that notoriety, she had tattoos, and when you think about the 30s, that's pretty progressive," said Robert Mayo with Mayo Auction and Realty.

Even today, the young couples' collectible items are more valuable than ever. The car from the Hollywood movie is expected to draw big money at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ this weekend.

But there's another auction that's getting national attention.

"This is by far the two coolest things I've ever had a chance to sell," Mayo said.

Few items are more sought after than the couple's guns and on Saturday, two of them will be up for auction in Kansas City. The weapons up for auction are the actual guns used by the couple during their crime spree.

"A Thompson submachine gun, it's a fully automatic. It is in pretty good condition considering the age. The other is an 1897 Winchester shotgun," Mayo said.

How much money the guns will fetch will be determined on Saturday but, so far, one of the guns currently has a bid of $33,000. Mayo said collectors from as far away as Australia have been calling and are expected to be at the auction house to bid on the guns.

The auction will be conducted starting at 10 a.m. in Mayo Auction & Realty's gallery facility, located at 8253 Wornall Rd. in Kansas City. Many antique weapons and other pieces of militaria will cross the block, representing several conflicts. But Bonnie and Clyde promise to be the headliners.

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