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1927
In 1927 the NSW Government imposed severe penalties for carrying concealed firearms and handguns. -
Consequences of this
The upsurge in organised crime was caused by the prohibition of sale of cocaine by chemists, the prohibition of street prostitution, the introduction of six o'clock closing for public bars. -
Razors Became the wepon
After handguns were criminalized in New South Wales, razors became the weapon of choice amongst Sydney gangsters. Shortly after the Pistol Licensing Act 1927 was passed, a visiting sailor used a cutthroat razor to defend himself from attackers. As a result, razors became a default weapon due to its ease of purchase from barbers shops for a few pence, its ease of concealment, and its use as an instrument of intimidation and threatening. -
Kate Leigh
Kate Leigh saw this as an opportunity to make money of the streets. She make a fortune of cocaine and a little of prostitution. During her heyday, Kate Leigh owned and operated more than thirty different sly grog hotels at different locations in inner Sydney that generated thousands of pounds in profit annually. -
Tilly Devine
Devine became infamous in Sydney, initially as a prostitute, then later as a brothel madam and organised crime entrepreneur. The Law prohibited men from running brothels; it did nothing to stop women with criminal gangs' support and bribes to the police from running criminal enterprises. Historian Larry Writer has noted that the Devines ran diversified operations. Tilly Devine died of cancer at age of 70 -
Big Wars
1929
17 July 1929 Frank Green and Sid McDonald ambushed in Woolloomooloo by a group of Kate Leigh’s men led by Gregory Gaffney. Devines and McDonald, along with a wounded Green, retreated to the Devine’s Maroubra home waiting for next attack which occured at midnight. Gaffney shot dead while Tomlinson and Dalton survive. 1929
Battle on Kellett Street occured while Kate was in gaol. Tilly on offensive and attacked Kate’s sly-grog shops in a pitched battle.