Originally manufactured by Colt as a Model 1921 Thompson SMG, one of a number stuck in inventory due to sluggish sales; while today the Thompson is recognized as an American classic and one of the all-time finest "heavy metal" SMGs, at the time it was a novel, untested and expensive weapon, and few were willing to roll the dice. The U.S. Marine Corps was an early adopter, and the firm attempted to capitalize on the connection by adding "U.S. NAVY" markings to their 1921s, updating the features based on USMC feedback, and overstamping the "1921" to "1928" to match their newer model. According to Herigstad's "Colt Thompson Submachine Gun Serial Numbers and Histories" (page 582), this particular Thompson was part of a 5-piece order placed by the Post Quartermaster of the USMC Supply Depot at Philadelphia for forward shipment to the USMC Quartermaster in Corinto, Nicaragua, on June 14 1928. First deployed to Nicaragua in 1912, the presence of the Marines in Nicaragua shrunk and swelled for two decades until a final pullout was made in 1933. The Corps' duties in country were to protect American civilians and assets (Corinto was a major railroad terminus and a major Pacific Ocean commercial port, for instance), while also being used as part of a political plot to influence Central American economies and political connections to Europe as an extension of the Monroe Doctrine. The Thompson remained in-country after the Marines left, likely given to the host government, and was later one of 24 re-imported to the U.S. by Interarmco on September 3, 1957. From there, it was sold to Val Forgett's Service Armament Company, and later released as a "DEWAT" to Guns Incorporated of New York; it has since been re-activated. Blade front sight on the Cutts compensator and a folding Lyman rear sight, showing the signature cooling fins on the barrel, dual hardwood pistol grips, and a quick-detachable hardwood buttstock. The left side of the receiver has the aforementioned "U.S. NAVY" model markings ahead of the 5-line address and caliber markings, with the Thompson "bullet" logo on top and the Auto-Ordnance address and 6-line patent markings on the right. The trigger group is numbered "7943", with separate selector ("FULL/AUTO" and "SINGLE") and safety ("FIRE" and "SAFE") levers. The internals are the 1928 pattern, with a bright bolt, blued cocking knob, thin spring and spring guide, and the brass Blish lock. Included with the lot is a black leatherette "FBI"-style case with a spare buttstock (no mounting iron or buttplate), three extra stick magazines, an Auto-Ordnance "L" type 50-round drum and a brass cleaning rod.

Very good as reactivated from a DEWAT (see above), with 95% of the refinished dark blue finish, showing some areas of covered pitting, slight fading of the markings, and scattered spotting and handling marks. The wood is good, with mild dents and scuffs. One of the feet is detached from the case, and the interior shows mild scuffing and detachment of the liner. The spare buttstock shows heavy wear; otherwise, the accessories are in good order. 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.