This is an example of an early production Model 1921 Thompson submachine gun as produced by the Colt Firearms Company circa 1921/22. This specific submachine gun remains in it's early original 1921 configuration. The Thompson SMG is probably one of the most famous and easily recognized SMGs ever produced and made infamous during the Prohibition and gangland warfare era by both U.S. law enforcement agencies, the Mafia and again by the USMC in 1928 during their time in Nicaragua. These 1921 models had mediocre sales for the first few years with most being later upgraded to the 1928 configuration, however this example remains in it's original 1921 configuration. This specific weapon still has the early distinctive Thompson features such as; the original short 10 1/2 inch barrel with cooling fins, unmarked "Cutts" type compensator, vertical front pistol grip, detachable buttstock and the fully adjustable Thompson ladder rear sight that is graduated from 100-600 yards, and the original early style, large headed, recoil spring guide. The left side of the receiver is now marked "MODEL OF 1921/NO 5526" with the original factory markings block towards the rear of the receiver 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 is marked with the original Auto-Ordnance "Bullet" logo with the early markings of "AUT-ORD-CO." inside the bullet logo. The lower receiver/trigger housing group is numbered "3780" and the left side of the pistol grip and buttstock are both marked "PC-50", with no other visible Police markings. This SMG includes one original Thompson/Auto-Ordnance marked 50 round drum magazine with an original Thompson oiler. These were one of the best if not the best made SMG ever and if ever have a chance to disassemble one of these weapons you will be amazed at how well they were manufactured, the parts just slide together like glass.

Very fine overall with 75% of the original blue finish remaining, thinning overall with minor blue loss on the sides and rear of the receiver. The markings are clear and sharp and it hand cycles perfectly. The buttstock,pistol grip and fore grip are all in near excellent condition with a nice matching medium brown color on all three pieces, showing only very minor handling marks overall, mostly on the sides and underside of the buttstock. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), Fully Automatic Weapon that is currently registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATF&E) that has been 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. Before bidding on this item, it is the sole responsibility and obligation of the bidder/Class 3 FFL holder to understand and comply with all the State and Federal transfer laws and restrictions that apply in their current place of residence.