This is an excellent example of an original, fully automatic early production Colt M1921 Thompson Submachine gun. This particular gun was manufactured very early on in the original Colt production with a four digit serial number noted to fall within a small serial numbered group of weapons sold to the Beach-Mosely Hardware Co. of Columbus, Georgia, (Jan 1923) for transfer to the Columbus Georgia Police Dept. This weapon stayed with the Columbus Police Dept. until the 1960s/70s when it was sold to a noted collector in Atlanta. This data is shown on page 231 of the book the "Colt Thompson Submachine Gun Serial Numbers" by Herigstad. It remained there until approximately 1983, when it was sold to the next owner, as explained in the accompanying letter written by Law Enforcement Ordnance Co. founder and firearms author Roger Cox. Cox's letter also indicates that this specific weapon is prominently shown in "The Thompson Submachine Gun" by Cox on the first and last pages. Approximately 15,000 sets of 1921 parts were initially produced with almost all of them being later used in the more successful M1928A1 configuration. The receiver is marked "MODEL OF 1921/10852", along with the standard five-line factory markings: "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." followed by the standard five-line patent dates. Directly behind the ejection port is the circled "JHB" inspectors mark of Major John Barret. The left side, of the "matching" trigger housing is marked: "AUTOMATIC" and SEMI-AUTOMATIC" along with "FIRE and SAFE", serial numbered "1852" on the underside. This model would be considered an "A" model which identifies it as a standard grade without the patented "CUTTS" compensator on the end of the barrel, which is correct for these early models. These early Thompsons have the distinctive finned barrel, the fully adjustable Lyman tangent rear sight with sight protectors, the walnut vertical fore grip, and the detachable walnut buttstock with the butt trap which holds an original Thompson oiler. The gun is complete with a blued 50-round drum magazine, three blued 20-round stick magazines (2 Auto-Ordnance marked and 1 marked "SW-Co."), one early brass cleaning rod, and a reproduction FBI-style carrying case that houses the SMG and various accessories. Also included is an original mid to late 1940s picture of the Columbus Police Dept. showing the entire squad with Harley and Indian motorcycles and police cars.

Excellent with 97% plus of its original blue finish overall with edge and high spot wear, and also on top of the receiver from the cocking handle. The wood components are also in excellent condition with a nice dark matching colored walnut showing scattered minor handling dings on the wood. Mechanically excellent. The accessories are all in excellent condition. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is 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.