This is an exceptional example of an original "fully automatic" Colt Model 1921 Thompson Submachine gun. These early models have the finely blued and machined metal parts and components, the bright polished bolt, with an oil finish on the wood components. These early guns were the quintessential classic submachine gun that was used during the depression era "Gangland" warfare throughout the United States and eventually became of the mainstay weapon of early law enforcement and FBI agencies. Ultimately they were adopted by the Military and used throughout WWII, Korea and even into Vietnam in a later "M1A1" war expedient configuration. It is estimated that only approximately 15,000 sets of 1921 parts were produced with almost all of those parts being later used to produced the more successful later Model 1928A1 configuration, making these early 1921 SMGs a very scarce weapon. The left side of the receiver is marked "MODEL OF 1921" / the serial number "8244" and farther back on the receiver it has the correct 4-5 line markings of "THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN, / CALIBRE 45 AUTOMATIC COLT CARTRIDGE, / MANUFACTURED BY / COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO. / HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A." The right side is marked "AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION / NEW YORK U.S.A." with the five line patent dates farther forward, along with the circled "JHB" inspectors mark of Major John Barret's, directly behind the ejection port. The left side of the lower receiver assembly is correctly marked with "AUTOMATIC" and "SEMI-AUTOMATIC" along with "FIRE" and "SAFE" markings behind that. These early production SMGs are very distinctive in that they have the desirable early finned barrel to aid in cooling when firing in full-automatic, the fully adjustable Lyman tangent rear sight with sight protectors that is graduated from 100-600 yards, the walnut vertical foregrip, detachable walnut buttstock with the butt trap which holds an original nickel plated Thompson oiler. The example also has the correct early, one-piece heavier steel buffer with the pilot without the fibre disc. The gun is fully complete with a matte blued 50rd Drum magazine, a MILLS marked canvas carrying case, a wood display stand, a thirty page Semi-Automatic Carbine booklet by the Auto-Ordnance Corporation, a "drum stop" designed to prevent damage to the main springs in the 50 and 100 round drums with instructions, a brass cleaning rod and a modern made FBI style carrying case that houses the SMG and accessories. NOTE: This is a fully transferable NFA Class III Firearm currently on a Form 4. You are required to check your state and/or local laws as to whether or not you may own this. This weapon can be transferred to a Class III dealer at no charge. Buyer pays all other transfer fees and stamps.

Exceptional with 98% of the original blue finish remaining with only minor edge and high spot wear overall. The markings are all clear and sharp. The upper receiver and lower trigger group have matching numbers. The vertical foregrip, pistol grip and buttstock are all in excellent condition with no handling marks, dings or pressure dents anywhere. The drum magazine and canvas case are both in excellent condition, and the modern FBI case is near mint with the blue felt liner completely intact. An exceptional example of an early 1921 Thompson submachine gun.