This is a very fine example of a late production Model 1928 Thompson submachine gun that was manufactured by the Savage Arms Company under license from Auto-Ordnance Company, during WWII. This exceptionally rare Thompson was actually manufactured under a U.S. Army contract and was then subsequently sent to Great Britain during WWII as it has both the "RLB/Ordnance Bomb" proof of Col. Ray Bowlin, U.S. Army Ordnance inspector (1940-1942) and the British "Broad Arrow" over "Crown/X9/E" inspectors stamp of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Enfield. This rare SMG was originally manufactured as a 1928 SMG, that was later marked with the "US" on the side of the receiver, and also upgraded to an "A1" model. It has the original 10 1/2 inch barrel, with the cooling fins with the early style "CUTTS" marked, Thompson/Auto-Ordnance patented compensator on the end of the barrel. The barrel has also been fitted with the later style horizontal forend with finger grooves on the side with the sling swivel underneath. The barrel is still blued and stamped with a "P" on top along with an "S" on the left rear side of the barrel correctly identifying this as a Savage manufactured barrel. The upper right left side of the receiver has the circled "GEG" proofmark, with the noted "RLB" inspector stamp below that; followed by "US (added) MODEL OF 1928 A1/NO. S-172784" followed by "NAC" which may indicate that it was reimported from overseas by the Numrich Arms Corp. at some point. Farther back it is stamped "THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN/CALIBER .45 AUTOMATIC CARTRIDGE". The right side is marked with the British acceptance/inspection proof directly in front of the ejection port with the middle area stamped in two-lines: "AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION, BRIDGEPORT CONNECTICUT USA", followed by the seven-line U.S. Patent numbers and dates. The top of the receiver is stamped with the late pattern "Thompson Bullet" logo, that reads: "TRADE MARK" above the logo with "THOMPSON" inside the logo and "REG U.S. PAT OFF" below the logo. Interestingly it is also stamped "TOMMY GUN" directly below the logo at the edge of the receiver. The rear of the receiver still retains the early fully adjustable Lyman marked tangent rear sight. The left side of the lower trigger housing is stamped with the standard "FULL AUTO/SINGLE" and "FIRE/SAFE" markings. The receiver and lower trigger housing still retain their original matching serial numbers: "S-172784". The right side of the upper edge of the trigger housing has been lightly marked (scratched) with "RHC 9/13/73". This desirable Thompson SMG is complete with one Auto-Ordnance, Type "L" 50 round drum magazine, a spare buttstock, green canvas sling, brass cleaning rod, reproduction Thompson Submachine Guns manual, all housed in a reproduction FBI carrying case. It has a blued barrel and compensator with a matte blued type receiver and trigger housing, with oil finish walnut wood components.

Very fine with 90% of the refurbished finish overall showing a nice bright blue on the barrel and compensator with the upper receiver and bolt assembly having been reparkerized at some time, which has now faded and oxidized on the top and sides of the receiver. The receiver also shows some spotting mixed with some very minor dark spots or etching of the metal on the sides of the receiver. The markings are clear and sharp and so are the proofs. The wood components on the SMG are all in very fine condition with a nice medium brown color overall showing minor handling marks on the sides of the buttstock. The spare buttstock shows more wear and handling marks on the sides. 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.