One of the most famous submachine guns in the world, the Thompson SMG rates as one of the truly signature American weapons. A number of Thompson variants managed to become signature weapons in American history; the 1921 and 1928 Models with Prohibition, the Great Depression, and the Gangland Era, and the 1928A1, M1 and M1A1 with the American effort in World War II. Some other Thompson variants made less of an impact, experimental and niche production items that never achieved the market penetration of their more famous cousins. This particular Model 1921 Thompson is documented in Herigstad's "Colt Thompson Submachine Gun" (page 317) as a "21 LB" (Long Barrel, versus the more common A and AC variants) shipped to the Hercules Powder Company of New Jersey in a three-piece order in June of 1923, chambered for the 45 Remington-Thompson cartridge. Herigstad calls this SMG out as a "developmental prototype" for the 1923 Thompson, as well as a test bed for the 45 Remington-Thompson, both rarities in the Thompson field. The 45 Remington-Thompson was a short-lived descendant of the 45 ACP cartridge intended for use with the Thompson SMG, designed in a similar manner to the 357 Magnum (a more powerful cartridge, with an elongated casing to prevent chambering in unsuitable weapons) intended to get the maximum output from the Thompson's longer barrel. The 1923 Thompsons were an attempt to make the base 1921 Model more appealing to military buyers, with features like conventional front handguards (revisited during World War Two), bayonet lugs, and in this case an elongated, heavy barrel with provision to mount a bipod at the muzzle (not included), turning the Thompson from a beefy SMG to a very lightweight squad automatic weapon. While intriguing, these novel variants did not pan out due to a near-global emphasis on full power rifle cartridges and long-range killing power in infantry rifles and machine guns. Herigstad's listing also notes this Thompson as having been featured on page 79 of the book "Thompson: The American Legend" by Tracie Hill (we do not have a copy at hand to verify this), and having passed through the inventory of Ohio Ordnance Incorporated and the collections of Charles Schaaf and David Lansky. Also supplied by the consignor was photocopied correspondence with Otto Witt, an author on the subject of cartridges, who was able to supply copies of references to the Remington-Thompson cartridges. The barrel on this 1921 is similar in broad profile to the traditional Thompson barrel, though notably longer and thicker in both the barrel and cooling ribs, with a traditional style pinned on front sight behind a half inch threaded muzzle. The rear sight and receiver are traditional for the 1921, with a Lyman folding peep rear sight, the model and five-line Colt address on the left side, the Auto-Ordnance patents, address, and "JHB" on the right, and the "bullet" logo on top. The trigger group is numbered to match beneath the stock, and fitted with a set of fully functional selector ("AUTOMATIC" and "SEMI-/AUTOMATIC" marked) and safety switches. The internals follow the 1921 pattern, with a broad spring and spring guide, bright bolt, blued cocking knob, brass "Blish lock" device, and the felt-padded oiler. Fitted with a set of traditional 1921/1928 pattern walnut furniture. Included with the Thompson are the publications "Thompson Submachine Gun Models, Second Edition" by Richardson (note: incomplete, pages after 28 absent), in which this Thompson is pictured on page 27, and "The Thompson Submachinegun(sic) Second Edition" by Bannan and Hill. A single magazine is included with the SMG, configured for the Peters 45 Auto-Shot Riot cartridge, a short-lived 45 ACP variant designed to turn the Thompson SMG into a straight pull repeating shotgun for less-lethal fire against prisoners, mobs and other groups; as the Auto-Shot magazine is slightly longer than the standard 45 ACP magazine, this may have been used for the elongated 45 Remington-Thompson, but this is not documented or guaranteed.

Excellent, with 98% plus original blue finish, showing some storage related scratches, and light cycling marks. A few small patches of pitting are present on the bolt. The furniture shows mild scuffs and dents. Mechanically excellent. NOTE: This weapon is 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.