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 1075), this particular Thompson was shipped to the San Benito County Sheriff's Office in Hollister, California, at an unlisted date. The exact usage the Sheriff put this Thompson to is unknown. 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 to match the receiver on the underside, with separate selector ("FULL/AUTO" and "SINGLE") and safety ("FIRE" and "SAFE") levers. A purple velvet lined black leatherette American Trunk & Case "FBI" case is included, which holds the SMG, a brass cleaning rod, four blued "stick" magazines, an Auto-Ordnance "L" type 50-round drum, and a San Benito County Sheriff's Department patch.