Manufactured by Auto-Ordnance on contract from the United States Government, the Thompson 1928A1 is one of the signature American weapons of World War II, being deployed in every theater of the war, both in American hands and among numerous Allied units via equipment sharing and Lend-Lease supplies. The 1928A1 is still very close in overall fit and features to the original Roaring 20's/Great Depression "Chicago Typewriter" of gang warfare fame, retaining a number of options that would be eliminated from later production to lower cost and speed production. A blade front sight is installed on the Cutts compensator, with a Lyman folding ladder rear sight on the receiver. The barrel retains the cooling fins, with a straight military style handgrip. Commercial standard markings are present on the top and sides of the receiver, with the left side bearing "W.B" and "flaming bomb" inspection marks, adding "U.S." to the model nomenclature, and a "crossed cannon" cartouche and "AO-45" between the model and caliber markings. The receiver and trigger guard are slotted to accept drum magazines, and the bolt is furnished with a sliding brass "blish lock", actuating firing pin, and oiler mechanism. A struck-out serial number is present on the stock rail on the trigger assembly, with the traditional dual selector and safety levers, marked "FIRE" and "SAFE" for the former and "FULL/AUTO" and "SINGLE" for the latter, and a ribbed rear pistol grip. The stock is the quick detach model, with a blued steel buttplate and a trapdoor cleaning compartment. One magazine is included, full blue with 1920/1921 patent dates on the front.

Fair overall. Much of the surface has turned a mixed gray patina, with some mild spotting and scattered handling marks. A number of tool marks are present on the compensator. A chip has been pinned back into place on the front left side of the forearm, with a long crack in the lower right hand side. Some dents and scuffs are present on the rear pistol grip, which is undersized and roughly fitting for the mount, and the buttstock is in very good condition. Mechanically very good. While the history and service life of this Thompson has gone unrecorded, these early WWII U.S. Thompsons likely would have seen rough, active service, as their popularity with the troops all but guaranteed that they would be kept in the field as long as physically possible, even when replacements like the M3 "Grease Gun" became available; the wear and tear on this example would be consistent with a hard life at war, and its continued function a testament to the rugged design. 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.