John Dillinger Wooden Escape Gun.
Exact Replica of John Dillinger’s Wooden Gun
Years ago, Joe Pinkston; the owner of “The John Dillinger Historical Wax museum” hired an expert in wood sculptures to examine and duplicate an exact replica of John Dillinger’s infamous wooden gun from the original.  The wood sculpture expert designed a few exact copies of the wooden gun and Mr. Pinkston was pleased with the result. Pinkston passed away on June 10, 1996.
Description:
Exact replica of Dillinger’s wooden gun.
The barrel hole size was measured in the original wooden gun and it was 3/8 in diameter and ¼  inch deep. He determined the total length of the gun was about six inches and the width is about an inch at the widest point at the handle. The wooden gun had two brad type nails inserted for gun sights and two slots cut on both sides with a razor carved V-slot to create the hammer of the gun. There is also a whole large enough to place Dillinger’s index finger through. You will not find a closer replica of John Dillinger’s wooden gun.
History:
Dillinger was incarcerated at Crown Point from January 30 to March 3, which gave him over a month to whittle the weapon. He escaped on March 3, 1934, after locking up 10 guards and a dozen trustees and then stole the Sheriff’s car.
It took an expert wood Sculpture about three days to complete this task, even though the circumstances were different because he did not have to create the weapon incognito. This proved without a doubt that it was possible and that Dillinger most likely carved the weapon in his cell.
This replica wooden gun is also on display at “The Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum” and “The Lake County Crown Point Jail.”