This is an M1A2 Thompson/Auto Ordnance designed Submachine Gun as manufactured by the Chasan Corp in St Petersburg, Florida. The original M1A1 was introduced in April 1942 and was a simplified version of the 1928 Thompson Submachine Gun, that basically eliminated the barrel cooling fins, cutt's compensator, adjustable rear sight and removable butt stock. The M1A1 had a fixed rear sight, horizontal walnut forearm, fixed butt stock and side-mounted cocking handle. Some internal part modifications made the weapon cheaper and easier to manufacture. This rare example is listed as a "M1A2" and to differentiate it from the regular M1A1 SMGs, this example has a "stainless steel" receiver with unique markings. The original M1A1 had a wartime GI parkerized finish while this example is totally left "in the white". The left side of the receiver is marked: "PRESENTED TO:" which is left blank, followed by "THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN/CALIBER 45 M1A2/NO. 002", followed by "U.S. NAVY". The right rear side of the receiver is marked in two lines: "AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION/BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A.". The front underside of the receiver on the flat behind the forend it is marked: "CHASAN CORP./S.P.B. FLA.". The left side of the trigger housing is correctly marked: "FULL/AUTO and SINGLE" with the upper edge marked "FIRE/SAFE". The underside of the trigger housing (not the top of the receiver) is marked with the "Thompson" Bullet logo with "TRADE MARK" above the logo and "REG.U.S.PAT OFF" below the logo. It is fitted with a set of dark brown walnut pistol grip, buttstock and horizontal handguard. It has an all blued barrel, internal parts and rear sight with the receiver and lower trigger housing all still in the white. Although it is marked U.S. Navy, there are no US property acceptance or proof markings anywhere on the guns.

Excellent with 99% of the current combination of polished stainless steel with the balance of the gun in blue. The wood components are all in excellent condition showing no handling marks anywhere. Certainly an interesting and or unusual/rare SMG that is worth doing more research on. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), Class 3, Fully Automatic Weapon, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATF) under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478. ADDITIONAL STATEMENT BY RIAC: This lot should have been described as a custom gun built by the Chasen Corporation. We now believe the words “Rare” and “with US Navy Markings” should not be included in the headline description. The Chasen Corporation was a manufacturer of class III weapons and this gun was not made for the US Navy to our knowledge. Additionally utilizing the registered trademark of Thompson and additionally marking the gun Auto Ordnance Corporation, A.O.C. as well as U.S. Navy we believe were all done in the spirit of making a copy of the original M1A1. The Chasen Corporation called it a M1A2 and we don’t believe there ever was a M1A2 model ever manufactured by Thompson/Auto Ordnance. This was a name given by the Chasen Corporation.