Page 350 - 4095-BOOK2

LOT 1354
Scarce World War II Era U.S. Auto-
Ordnance/Savage Model 1928A1
Thompson Submachine Gun with Highly
Desirable “TOMMY GUN” Marking, Class
III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun -
Serial no. S-234572, 45 ACP cal., 10 1/2 inch fluted
bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Offered here is a scarce
example of a World War II era M1928A1 Thompson
submachine gun as manufactured by the Savage Arms
Company under license from the Auto-Ordnance Company
c. 1940-1942, with an “S-” prefix serial number, and the
highly desirable “TOMMY GUN” marking on top of the receiver. These M1928A1 Thompson
Submachine guns were made under contract for the U.S. Army and used alongside the M1 and
M1A1 Thompsons during World War II and continuing through the Korean War and Vietnam,
with many used overseas by the British allies under the lend lease act, and others finding their
way into the inventory of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. On December 1,
1939, Savage Arms received their initial contract from the U.S. government to manufacture
10,000 Thompson submachine guns, with the first guns coming off the production line in
April 1940, per page 1068 of “Colt Thompson Submachine Gun Serial Numbers & Histories
Volume 2” by Herigstad. Blade front sight on the Auto-Ordnance/Thompson marked Cutts
compensator, “P” and “S” marked barrel, the Lyman folding ladder rear sight seen on earlier
production guns, with the “US MODEL OF 1928A1”, “NAC” suffix, “RLB” (Col. Roy L. Bowlin, Army
Inspector for Rochester, NY Ordnance District) and “GEG” (George E. Goll, Inspector for Auto-
Ordnance) inspection marks on the left side of the receiver, Bridgeport address and eight-line
patent markings on the right. Internals are 1928 pattern, with “S” marked charging handle,
spring guide and bolt, and an unmarked Blish lock, and oiler, with an additional “GEG” stamp
on the interior and the bolt modified with an M1/M1A1 style safety notch. The trigger housing
is numbered to match the receiver, with smooth control switches. Fitted with grooved pistol
grips, a quick-detach buttstock, and a tan canvas Nobuckl sling; the front grip has a sling swivel
installed on the left side, and a set of drill holes from a now-absent sling swivel on the right.
Included with the lot are three Seymour Products Co. 30-round stick magazines and one “U”
marked Type “L” 50-round drum magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% plus blue original matte blue finish, showing minor scratches,
edge wear and spotting overall, 95% higher polished original blue on the replacement barrel,
and some storage marks. The stock and grips are very fine, with minor scuffs and dings.
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.
Estimate: 30,000 - 45,000
348