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LOT 3367
Documented Law Enforcement
Shipped Colt Model 1921/1928 U.S. Navy
Overstamp Thompson Submachine Gun, Class
III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun, with
Many Accessories - Serial no. 12144, 45 ACP cal., 10 1/2
inch fluted 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. Navy 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 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 988), this particular Thompson was shipped to the Police Department
of Rock Hill, South Carolina, on an unknown date. Later it would be recorded in the
inventory of Crossroads Gun Shop, Terry Williams, Robert Heins, and Brian Madden.
Blade front sight on the unmarked Cutts-style compensator and a folding Lyman rear
sight, showing the signature cooling fins on the barrel, 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 on the right.
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