One of the most famous submachine guns in the world, the Thompson SMG rates as one of the truly signature American weapons. While advancements in manufacturing techniques and materials would allow later designs to match or exceed the Thompson's performance, none of them have managed to do the job with the same level of style and craftsmanship. The Thompson, a product of old-school hand craftsmanship, is virtually synonymous with the Roaring 20s and the Great Depression, being found on both sides of the law during the "gangland" era of American history, and also serving on all Allied fronts of World War II, where it stood tall among its more cost-effective stamped steel substitutes. Per the records in Herigstad's "Colt Thompson Submachine Gun" (page 770), this Thompson was originally shipped as a single item on August 28, 1928, to Sheriff T.H. Thimming of the Perry County Sheriff's Office in Pinckneyville, Illinois. Located in southern Illinois, Perry County was away from the main action in Chicago but still had its share of trouble; jailbreaks, arsons, the litany of petty and gross crimes that came with the manufacture, transport and consumption of alcohol; crooks disguising themselves as enforcers of the Volstead Act to raid people's houses and rob them, and an incident in 1921 where the entire police department of Du Quoin was arrested, booked, bonded and returned to duty for beating a district attorney and robbing a freight car. Blade front and folding Lyman rear sights, with the signature finned barrel. The receiver is marked with the model and five-line Colt address on the left side, and the Auto-Ordnance patents, address, and "JHB" on the right, and the trigger group is numbered to match beneath the stock, and fitted with a set of fully functional selector and safety switches. Internally, the components are 1921 pattern, with a bright bolt equipped with a mobile firing pin and a brass "Blish lock" device, blued knob, wide spring and spring guide and the felt-padded oiler. Fitted with a set of traditional pattern walnut furniture. With three extra stick magazines.

Exceptionally fine, with 90% plus of the original blue finish, showing some mild edge wear and handling marks overall. A small ding is present on the upper right edge of the receiver, and a small bright patch of pitting is present on the left side of the trigger housing, just below the "SINGLE" selector marking. The refinished wood is fine, with minor chipping around the stock iron and light dings and scratches overall. 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.