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LOT 1378
Excellent Law Enforcement Shipped Colt Model 1921/1928 U.S. Navy Overstamp Thompson Submachine Gun with Case, Accessories, and a Peters-Thompson Auto-Shot Magazine, Class III/NFA C&R Registered Fully Transferable Machine Gun - Serial no. 13931, 45 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. 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 1061), this particular Thompson was one of three shipped to the police department of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, at an unrecorded date. Blade front sight on the Cutts-marked compensator and a folding Lyman rear sight, showing the signature cooling fins on the barrel, dual hardwood pistol grips, and a quick-detachable hardwood buttstock with a small “anchor” stamp near the iron. 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. The trigger group is numbered to match the receiver on the underside, with separate selector (“FULL/AUTO” and “SINGLE”) and safety (“FIRE” and “SAFE”) levers. Internals are proper 1928 configuration, with brass Blish lock and felt padded oiler. A black leatherette FBI transport case with key is included, which holds the SMG, a brass cleaning rod, four blued “stick” magazines, an Auto-Ordnance “L” type 50-round drum, and a rare and complete period Thompson spare parts kit consisting of a tin containing an extractor, firing pin, firing pin spring, sear spring, sear lever spring, trigger spring, hammer pin, pull through cleaning brush and cleaning rod brush. Also included with the lot is a scarce 18-round magazine intended for use with the Peters-Thompson 45 Auto Shot ammunition, which could be used to transform the Thompson from a pistol caliber machine gun to a small bore straight pull less-lethal repeating shotgun for riot response, prisoner control, and similar operations. CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% of the original blue finish, showing wear along the high edges and mild cycling/handling marks. The wood is also in excellent condition, with some minor dings and scratches. The case shows mild wear and dents. The magazines are all in fine order, with the Peters-Thompson magazine showing some light scratches. 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
AS DESCRIBED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE BOOK COLT THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN SERIAL NUMBERS & HISTORIES BY HERIGSTAD
27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C.
Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478. Estimate: 65,000 - 95,000
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