6 Gangsters Who Earned Their Names

A thug, is a thug, is a thug. But would a thug by any other moniker still be as dangerous? We're guessing "yes."

1. Frank "the Dasher" Abbandando (1910"“1942)

Abbandando was one killer who was fast on his feet. A hit man for the New York mob's Murder, Inc., an organization of contract killers, Abbandando may have killed as many as 50 people. In one case, he walked up to a guy and pulled the trigger only to have the gun misfire. With his armed victim in pursuit, Frank "the Dasher" ran so fast around the block that he came up behind his quarry and coolly shot him in the back. Hence his nickname. But even Abbandando couldn't outrun a stool pigeon inside Murder, Inc. Convicted of a single murder, the speedy criminal was awarded a speedy trial, followed by a speedy execution via electric chair.

2. Albert "Lord High Executioner" Anastasia (1903"“1957)

Brutal dogs, ants and one serious weasel all after the jump...

3. Lester "Baby Face Nelson" Gillis (1908"“1934)

4. Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll (1908"“1932)

5. Tony "the Ant" Spilotro (1938"“1986)

6. Aladena "Jimmy the Weasel" Fratianno (1914"“1993)

For more lists like these, be sure to pick up a copy of Forbidden Knowledge.