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LOT 1389
Exceptional Documented Law Enforcement Shipped
Colt Model 1921/1928 U.S. Navy Overstamp Thompson Submachine Gun with Case and Accessories, Class III/ NFA C&R Registered Fully Transferable Machine Gun - Serial no. 12058, 45 cal., 10 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Originally manufactured by Colt as a Model 1921 Thompson SMG, one of a number stuck in inventory due to sluggish sales; while today the Thompson is recognized
as an American classic and one of the all-time finest “heavy metal” SMGs, at the time it was a novel, untested and expensive weapon, and few were willing to roll the dice.
The U.S. Marine Corps was an early adopter, and the firm attempted to capitalize on the connection by adding “U.S. NAVY” markings to their 1921s, updating the features based on USMC feedback, and overstamping the “1921” to
“1928” to match their newer model. According to
Herigstad’s “Colt Thompson Submachine Gun Serial
Numbers and Histories” (page 984), this particular
Thompson was shipped to the Police Department of
Mexico, Missouri on an unspecified date. Originally
named New Mexico, Mexico was founded in 1836,
serving settlers migrating to the then-Republic of Texas,
and has been known as “The Fire Brick Capital of the
World” and “The Saddle Horse Capital of the World” for
two of their major products, refractory bricks (including
ones used in the construction of Cape Canaveral) and American Saddlebred horses. Blade front sight on the Cutts-marked compensator and a folding Lyman rear
sight, showing the signature cooling fins on the barrel, beautiful walnut dual pistol grips and quick-detachable buttstock with a small “anchor” on the front. The left
side of the receiver has the aforementioned “U.S. NAVY” model markings ahead of the 5-line address and caliber markings, with the Thompson “bullet” logo on top and
the Auto-Ordnance address and 6-line patent markings
the receiver on the underside, with separate selector (“FULL/ AUTO” and “SINGLE”) and safety (“FIRE” and “SAFE”) levers. The internals are of the 1928 pattern, with the reduced spring and spring guide and correspondingly heavier bolt assembly, with brass Blish Lock and felt padded oiler. Included with the Thompson is a 50-round “L” drum magazine, four 20-round stick magazines, brass cleaning rod, and a Books Trunk Company leatherette transport case.
306 on the right. The trigger group is numbered to match
SERIAL NUMBER LISTED IN THE BOOK COLT THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN SERIAL NUMBERS & HISTORIES, VOL. I BY HERIGSTAD