According to the included 2012 letter from the Auto-Ordnance Company (of Malibu, California), this 1921 Thompson submachine gun is noted in factory records as one of ten shipped to General Harry B. Smith, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, on July 29, 1922. Per the records in Herigstad's "Colt Thompson Submachine Gun" (page 213), this Thompson is listed as a "1921A" as first shipped to General H.B. Smith on 7/29/1922 part of a ten gun shipment, then shipped as a "1912AC" to Indiana State Prison at an unlisted date as part of an eleven gun shipment, then is later listed as in the possession of dealer Richard R. Wray in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1970, then dealer J. Curtis Earl in Phoenix, Arizona in 1971, then dealer Steven L. Wozny in Rainier, Oregon in 1998, then the Ron Kovar collection in Joliet, Illinois in 1998, then the Larry Augustus collection in Amherst, New Hampshire in 2005, and later sold in 2013. One of the most famous submachine guns in the world, the Thompson rates as one of the truly signature American weapons. While advancements in manufacturing techniques and materials would allow later designs to match or exceed the Thompson's performance, none of them have managed to do the job with the same level of style. The Thompson, a product of old-school hand craftsmanship, is virtually synonymous with the Roaring 20s and the Great Depression, being found on both sides of the law during the "gangland" era of American history, and also serving on all Allied fronts of World War II, where it stood tall among its more cost-effective stamped steel substitutes. It is estimated that approximately 15,000 sets of 1921 parts were produced with almost all of those parts being later used to produced the more successful later M1928A1 configuration, making these early 1921 SMGs a very scarce weapon. Blade front and folding adjustable peep rear sights, with an un-numbered Cutts compensator, as outfitted in the "AC" configuration, and cooling fins on the barrel, the model and address markings on the left side of the receiver and the Auto-Ordnance patents and address on the right next to a "JHB" inspection mark of Major John Barret directly behind the ejection port, the trigger housing is numbered to match the receiver, with a set of fully functional selector and safety switches. The bolt is still fitted with an early brass "Blish Lock" device, articulated firing pin, as well as a felt-padded spring steel bolt oiler and proper 1921 pattern large spring and spring guide. Fitted with a parkerized Bridgeport production 50-round "L" drum magazine, a pair of grooved pistol grips, and a detachable shoulder stock. Included with the gun is an extra Crosby Co. 20-round stick magazine, a tan canvas "U.S." drum magazine pouch, Auto-Ordnance Thompson catalog and some loose related papers. Provenance: Indiana National Guard; Indiana State Prison; Richard R. Wray; J. Curtis Earl; Steven L. Wozny; The Ron Kovar Collection; The Larry Augustus Collection; Property of a Gentleman