Manufactured on contract for the United States Government, the Thompson 1928A1 is one of the signature American weapons of World War II, being deployed in every theater of the war, both in American hands and among numerous Allied units via equipment sharing and Lend-Lease supplies. The 1928A1 is still very close in overall configuration to the original Roaring 20s/Great Depression "Chicago Typewriter" of gang warfare fame, retaining a number of options that would be eliminated from later production to lower cost and speed production. While in theory rendered obsolete by the streamlined M1 and M1A1 Thompsons and the overall Thompson successor the M3 "Grease Gun", in practice the 1928A1 was still a go-to CQB weapon for the Korean War, and also saw action in Vietnam. Notes provided by the consignor indicate that this 1928A1 was held in inventory at the Rock Island Arsenal until 1960, when it was released as surplus to the City Administrator of Lathrup Village, Michigan, to be issued to the local police force. Fitted with a blade front sight on the Thompson/Cutts marked compensator and a Lyman flip-up peep rear sight on the receiver, which is marked with the original manufacturer nomenclature, "flaming bomb" and "R.L.B" inspection marks, and "RIA" and "FK" refurbish markings. The trigger housing has a set of smooth safety and fire control switches. The furniture consists of a horizontal forearm, grooved pistol grip, and a quick detach buttstock. Internals are in 1928 configuration, with the brass Blish Lock and the felt padded oiler present. Included with the lot is a "U" marked Auto-Ordnance Type L 50-round drum magazine, one 20 round stick magazine, and three 30-round stick magazines.

Very fine as arsenal refurbished, with 95% of the parkerized finish, showing some white spots on the compensator, some covered pitting, and mild edge wear and handling marks overall. The wood is very good as sanded and reoiled, with mild scuffs and dents overall and a small pin-stabilized crack on the right side of the buttstock near the mounting iron. 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.