This is an attractive and excellent example of a Colt Auto Ordnance Thompson Model 1921/1928 "U.S. Navy over stamp" submachine gun. Originally manufactured by Colt as a Model 1921 Thompson SMG, one of a number stuck in inventory due to sluggish sales and later stamped with "U.S. NAVY" above the "MODEL OF 1928" nomenclature. 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. 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 are one of the finest machined and hand fitted submachine guns ever produced. According to Herigstad's "Colt Thompson Submachine Gun Serial Numbers and Histories" (page 939), this particular Thompson was shipped to the West Point Manufacturing Company of Langdale, Alabama (mentioned as renamed to West Point Pepperell Textile Corp. after 1934) at an unrecorded date, and the book further states, "A payroll guard carried this Thompson for twenty years. Donated later to West Point, Georgia Police Department." and also lists it as being offered for sale four separate times from Law Enforcement Ordnance Co. between 1974-1975. Blade front sight on the Cutts-marked compensator and a folding adjustable Lyman rear sight graduated to 600 yards, showing the signature cooling fins on the barrel, dual pistol grips and quick-detachable butt stock correctly with a small "anchor" on the front and holding a nickel finished oiler in the butt trap. 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. The internals are of the 1928 pattern, with the reduced spring and spring guide and correspondingly heavier bolt assembly. The gun is accompanied with one 20-round Seymour Products Co. stick magazine. Provenance: West Point Manufacturing Company; Georgia Police Department

Excellent, retains 97% original blue finish showing some minor wear on some of the edges and high spots overall, with some minor scratches and storage related handling marks. Most of the internal parts have a coat of old semi-dried preservative grease. The wood is very fine with a nice matching medium brown appearance, some minor scratches, a few minor handling marks and pressure dents, and distinct edges overall. 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 478.