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LOT 395
Excellent Colt Model 1921 Thompson Submachine Gun, Class III/
NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun - Serial no. 1286, 45 ACP
cal., 10 1/2 inch fluted bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Among the first
practical pistol-caliber automatic weapons, the Thompson Submachine
Gun is a significant part of the story of arms development as well as a
signature American weapon. Providing a virtually unprecedented amount
of compact firepower, the Thompson faltered a bit coming out of the
gate as a commercial product; billed as the ultimate “anti-bandit” weapon
for bankers, guards, ranchers and others with valuable property, the
unproven design and $200 bill (over $3000 inflation adjusted to modern
prices) made buyers leery. The successful use of the weapon by the USMC
in Nicaragua and elsewhere sparked new interest, leading to a career of
both fame and infamy on both sides of the “Public Enemy” era of American
crime, as well as a role of distinction as America’s premier submachine gun
for World War II and beyond. Per the records in Herigstad’s “Colt Thompson
Submachine Gun” (page 184), this Thompson was part of a 125 piece order
by W.S. Brown Incorporated of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, delivered on
July 25, 1922. W.S. Brown was a dealer in a variety of products, including
Colt handguns. The records next list the item in the inventory of the Law
Enforcement Ordnance Company of Athens, Georgia, in 1973, noting an
advertisement listing it “as new in grease, unfired”, with further listings in
the inventory of Miller’s Guns in 1980, the Henry McKennley collection in
1980, and the inventory of Mike Free in 2000. The records further note the
item as appearing in the January 2002 edition of Small Arms Review (page
89) and the book American Thunder II (page 57/61) by Frank Iannamico.
Blade front sight, flip-up Lyman rear sight graduated to 600 yards, proper
witness marks on the finned barrel and receiver, and the circled “JHB”
inspectors mark of Major John Barret directly behind the ejection port. The
trigger housing is numbered to match the receiver, with knurled controls,
and the internals are proper 1921 pattern with the large spring and spring
guide, articulated firing pin, brass Blish lock, and felt pad oiler. Fitted with
a pair of pistol grips and a quick-detach buttstock, the latter correctly
stamped with an “anchor” and holding a nickel finished oiler in the butt
trap. Two magazines are included, one Auto-Ordnance stick magazine and
an Auto-Ordnance 50-round Type “L” drum.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% plus original high polish blue finish, with
some light handling marks, scratches and an extremely small amount of
pitting concentrated on the forward receiver and trigger housing. The
wood is also excellent, with a few light dings and chips. Mechanically
excellent. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully
transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a “Curios or
Relic” as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the
provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 479.
Provenance: The Joe Miller Collection (Miller’s Guns);
The Henry McKennley Collection; The Mike Free Collection.
Estimate: 30,000 - 45,000
SERIAL NUMBER LISTED IN
THE BOOK COLT THOMPSON
SUBMACHINE GUN SERIAL
NUMBERS & HISTORIES,
VOL. I BY HERIGSTAD