One of the most famous sub-machine 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 443), this Thompson was originally shipped to Berman's Sporting Goods of in Elkhart, Indiana, on June 10, 1929, later passing through the inventory of the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office and the Elkhart Police Department at unspecified dates. Indiana was a hotbed of temperance activity, passing their first statewide ban of alcohol as early as 1855 (declared unconstitutional in 1858, finally made to stick in 1918) and engaging in other anti-alcohol activity for many years prior to national prohibition, as well as harshly enforcing the laws underpinning the 18th Amendment, to the point of paying bounties to prosecutors for successful liquor-related convictions. Blade front and folding Lyman rear sights, with an unmarked Cutts-style compensator and 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 have been switched over to the 1928 standard, with narrower mainspring and spring guide, bright bolt, blued charging handle, brass "Blish lock" and the felt-padded oiler. Fitted with a set of traditional pattern walnut furniture. Includes a modern black leatherette FBI style case, seven extra stick magazines, three vintage "L" type 50-round drums, a modern "C" type 100-round drum with spare rotor, reproduction Thompson catalog and a 1921-pattern bolt assembly.

Excellent, with 90% of the original blue finish, showing the start of a brown patina on the barrel and compensator, mild edge wear and handling marks. The furniture is very fine, with a darker color to the front grip and mild scratches and dings. The accessories are in very fine 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.