CLYDE'S GIFT TO BONNIE Harrington and Richardson Top-break pocket pistol 5 round .32 caliber with a nickel finish Manufactured in Worcester, Mass. patent date Oct. 4th 1887

photo courtesy of FranCisco Vargas


photo courtesy of FranCisco Vargas


The Hideout cannot say whether or not this is Clyde's gift to Bonnie, but this item of interest had been brought to my attention recently.

This vintage Top-break pistol was the property of FranCisco Vargas, who had obtained it several years ago from a collector. It is inscribed... "To Bonnie, I owe you one, Clyde 2-28-32".

The significance of the date inscribed can be linked to a series of events leading up to it. In March of 1930, Clyde Barrow found himself in Waco lockup on a burglary charge, where he made good his escape with a pistol smuggled to him by his galpal Bonnie Parker. His short flight to freedom. In January 1932 while at Eastham and in an act of desperation, he has two toes amputated and winds up in the Huntsville prison infirmary.
In early February of 1932, he obtained an early pardon and returned home on crutches. The date on FranCisco's pistol reflects the next several weeks following his return to freedom and his being re-united with Bonnie. Is it possible that Clyde had remembered Bonnie's dedication and gun smuggling act which had helped him gain his freedom while in Waco, and thus presented her with this little "token of appreciation"?


HIDEOUT UPDATE This gun has just been sold and is now in the hands of it's new owner!

The new owner of "Clyde's Gift to Bonnie" is Jim Ratliff. After Mr. Ratliff took possession of the pistol, he removed the grips which appeared to have remained intact for a long period of time. To his amazement, he found that on the inside of the grip there bore the initials "CB". This is yet another interesting marking that adds to the mystery surrounding this old pistol.


photo courtesy of Jim Ratliff


photo courtesy of Jim Ratliff


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