Lot 1417: Auto Ordnance Corp - Thompson 1928 A1

This is a scarce example of an originally unfinished WWII 1928A1 Thompson submachine gun initially manufactured by the Savage Arms Company under license from the Auto-Ordnance Company and then completed by the Numrich Arms Company. In the early 1970s, George Numrich acquired a huge amount of WWII spare parts and partially completed Thompson submachine receivers and barreled receiver from both the Auto-Ordnance and Savage companies and at the same time imported a large numbers of Thompsons from overseas. Using that stock pile of parts, he completed/assembled all the remaining stock of receivers and barreled receivers from the two companies into complete 1928 Thompson SMGs and then reworked those that were imported while at the same time manufacturing new semi-automatic 1927 rifles. He was required to remark the receivers he completed with his "NAC" serial numbering, hence the current serial number "S-527235 NAC", and sold them as commercial weapons. The receiver is marked with "MODEL OF 1928 A1/NO. S-527235 NAC" and farther back "THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN/CALIBRE .45 AUTOMATIC CARTRIDGE". It still retains its original late production short pattern 10 1/2 inch barrel without any cooling fins, a late commercial model Thompson/Auto-Ordnance "CUTTS" marked compensator, horizontal forend, fully adjustable Lyman rear sight, and a detachable buttstock. The obverse is marked in two-lines "AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION, BRIDGEPORT CONNECTICUT USA". The top of the receiver is stamped with the "Auto-Ordnance/Thompson Bullet" logo. The underside of the lower trigger housing is correctly numbered and matching serial number (S-527235 NAC) to the receiver. It has a dark gray parkerized receiver and a matte blued trigger housing and barrel assembly. It is fitted with the correct walnut forend, pistol grip and buttstock. This Thompson SMG is complete with three 20 round stick magazines and one drum magazine.

Excellent with 95% plus of the parkerized/blued finish with minor light edge and high spot wear overall and signs of light firing. The wood components are all in very fine plus condition with a medium brown color overall and only light handling marks on the sides. Mechanically excellent. 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.