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AUCTION ITEM
Premiere Firearms Auction (December 4, 5 & 6 2009)
Lot #: 3652
Estimated Price: $30,000 - $50,000
Exceptional Original Colt, Model 1921/1928 U.S. Navy Over Stamp Thompson Submachine Gun
LOT SOLD
Serial #: 10775 Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1928 thompson Type: Carbine
Gauge: 45 ACP Catalog Page: 283
Barrel Length: 10-1/2 inch round Finish: blue
Grip: walnut Stock: detachable walnut
Sell Date: Sunday, December 06, 2009
Condition Rating:  
Description: This is just a beautiful example of an exceptional original Colt Auto Ordnance Thompson 1921/1928 US Navy over stamp submachine gun. This specific submachine gun was original produced in the 1921 configuration, and later, over stamped with "U.S. NAVY MODEL OF 1928". This model came into being because of the lagging sales for the 1921 series of SMG, and the fact that the USMC successfully used many of these New SMGs in Nicaragua, the Auto Ordnance company began to remark their inventory with the intent of peaking sales interest to various police and Government agencies. The basic difference between the original 1921 and 1928 configurations is that the latter has a slightly reduced cyclic rate of fire. These Thompson SMGs were probably one of the best machined and hand fitted submachines ever produced. They all have a distinctive deep rich blue metal finish with the bolt remaining in the white with excellent deep dark brown walnut, foregrip, pistol grip and buttstock. If you ever have a chance to disassemble one of these weapons you will be amazed at how well they were made, the parts just slide together like glass. This specific weapon still has all the traditional and distinctive Thompson features that are so easily recognizable in the Gangster movies ,WWII, and even up to Vietnam, such as; the Auto Ordnance ported compensator on the end of the barrel, the short 10 1/2 inch barrel with cooling fins, the vertical pistol grip, the detachable buttstock, and the fully adjustable Thompson ladder rear sight that is graduated from 100-600 yards. The left side of the receiver is marked "U.S. Navy/MODEL OF 1921" with the '8' dated over stamped on '1' in 1921, with the serial number 10775 below the marking block. The left rear portion of the receiver is marked: "THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN/CALIBER .45 AUTOMATIC COLT CARTRIDGE/MANUFACTURED BY/ COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A." the right side is marked with the five lines of patent dates along with the two line 'AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION, NEW YORK U.S.A". The top of the receiver and is marked with the "Bullet" logo with 'THOMSPON' inside. There are no other accessories with specific lot.
Condition: Excellent with approximately 97% original blue finish showing just some minor wear on the edges and high spots overall, such as the front edges of the compensator, with actual wear on the right side of the receiver, along the lower edge where it meets the lower trigger group, with some minor scratches and handling marks on the left side. Probably just from sitting in a storage container or display case. All three wood components have a nice medium brown, matching color with just some minor scratches on the right side of the pistol grip, with a few more minor handling marks and light pressure dents on the buttstock. The receiver and frame (lower trigger group assembly) have matching numbers. Currently most of the internal parts and components all have a coat of old semi-dried preservative grease. Just a exceptional example of a very early '1928 Navy' over stamp Thompson submachine gun. This weapon is a fully transferable class III weapon that has the appropriate ATF/Federal Tax stamp.
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