This is an example of an early production Thompson submachine gun produced by the Colt Firearms Company. These early 1921 SMG's set the standard for all future SMGs produced by all countries. The Thompson SMG is probably one of the most famous and easily recognized SMGs ever produced in the world. They were made famous during the 1920s and 1930s during the prohibition and gangland warfare era and again in 1928 by the USMC in Nicaragua and later during WWII and Korea. It has the very early, unaltered receiver markings, the high polish blue finish, early Cutts compensator with the square cuts across the top and extended cross pin that retains it on the barrel, the early style "AUTOMATIC and SEMI-AUTOMATIC" receiver markings, and the early, slightly wavy "AUTO-ORD-CO" bullet logo markings. Naturally, it retains the early style blued barrel with the cooling fins and vertical fore-grip. These SMGs used solid steel, fully machined parts that exhibit excellent fit and finish, which leads to a highly reliability firearm. The left side of the receiver is marked "MODEL OF 1921/NO 1697" with the 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 circled "JHB" inspector cartouche of Major John H. Barrett, Auto-Ordnance's in house Government inspector, and also five lines of patent dates with the two-line "AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION, NEW YORK U.S.A" markings. As noted, the top of the receiver has the early style markings. It retains the detachable buttstock and the fully adjustable Thompson ladder rear sight graduated from 100-600 yards, and the original early style, large headed recoil spring guide. The serial numbers on the receiver and lower receiver/trigger housing group have matching numbers (1697), and this early example does not carry any additional visible Police markings. Included with the lot is one 20 shot stick magazine and one 50 shot, Type L marked Thompson/Auto-Ordnance marked drum magazine and an oiler inside the buttstock.

Excellent with 90% plus of the original blue finish overall with only minor edge and high spot wear mixed with some blue thinning on the right side of the upper receiver. The bolt still retains most of the bright polished finish from the factory. The buttstock and two pistol grips are all in very fine condition showing only minor handling marks. The stick and drum magazine are also in excellent condition. This is just an exceptional, high condition early Thompson submachine gun. 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