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Detonator used by the DeAutremonts

Hugh DeAutremont, American, 1904 - 1959

The DeAutremont brothers stole this DuPont Blasting Machine No. 3 from the Oregon City Construction Company and used it to perpetrate the holdup and attempted robbery of a mail train. Made of 5/8-inch thick wood joined with mortice and tenon and flathead screws, the device has a plunger, a leather strap handle, and two butterfly connections. The metal advertising plate on top of the device provides instructions for use.

Date

October 11, 1923

Type

Crime Evidence

Medium

wood; metal; leather; paper

Department

NPM

Institution

National Postal Museum

Object number

npm_1991.0025.1

Credit

Transfer from the United States Postal Inspection Service