GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
EXTREMELY FINE COLT 1921 THOMPSON MACHINE GUN ISSUED TO DAYTON, OH POLICE DEPT IN 1927 (CURIO & RELIC).COLT1921 THOMPSON441845 ACPW/DRUM, STOCK, 4 MAGSMODERN; NFA; C&RCal. 45 ACP. 10-3/4" bbl. Terrific Colt Model 1921 Thompson with matching upper and lower assemblies and anchor proof mark buttstock. Includes orig "New York, N.Y." 1920 patent dated "L" drum numbered 3670 with matching numbers front and back. Stock exhibits what is either a capital "E" or perhaps a stylized front sight picture of unknown origin. Also included are four orig 1920's patent date magazines. 1921 internal parts within receiver. Includes 1 reproduction purple interior FBI case, complete w/key brass cleaning rod and cleaning kit metal box. Also 1 contemporarily manufactured 50-rd drum and 1 contemporary 100-rd drum, both in their orig packaging boxes. There are 3 30-rd magazines, also included. The inaugural version of the Colt Thompson was just as you see here, without Cutts compensator. Many shooting enthusiasts prefer this model as it is easier to clean a bbl without a compensator. Information courtesy of Gordon Herigstad's book Colt Thompson Submachine Gun: Serial Numbers & Histories, indicates this SN was issued to the Dayton, OH Police Dept as part of a five gun shipment on April 7, 1927. The Dayton PD historical archives suggest this 1921 was part of the arsenal aboard the famed Dayton PD "Bank Flyer" armored Cadillac Roadster. The car was an eight-cylinder Cadillac that had been "refitted" by a company in Cincinnati with special racks built inside the vehicle to hold "an assortment of machine guns, rifles, shotguns, tear gas bombs, hand grenades, gas masks and bullet-proof vests." The car had a heavy steel bumper making it "possible... to go through a brick wall". It had a special steel shield to protect the radiator. The tires and windows were bullet proof. The various financial institutions that gifted the 'Bank Flyer' had alarm buttons located at strategic places inside their businesses. In the event of an armed robbery a bank official could… by hand, foot, elbow or knee… activate the hold-up alarm to sound in the police garage and upstairs at police headquarters. The 3-man "Flying Squadron", with this heavily armed special-purpose vehicle, would hasten to the crime scene. This is a National Firearms Act item and requires BATF approval prior to transfer. This weapon is fully transferable on an ATF form 3 or form 4 as Curio & Relic eligible. PROVENANCE: Dayton History Books Online: The Story of the Dayton Police 'Bank Flyer' and its 'Flying Squadron'-- by retired Dayton Sgt. Steve Grismer. http://www.daytonhistorybooks.com/ CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish very fine to extremely fine. Orig lustrous blue finish starting to thin, particularity at the high edges which are turning to a gray patina with some noticeable loss of finish due to scratches to the metal forward of mag well on the left side. Also some thinning to a gray patina to the rear of the pistol grip. Buttplate finish also thinning and turning to a gray patina. Wood furnishings show light handling marks and some dings. Mechanics are crisp with a very smooth action. Bore is fine to very fine, shiny lands with some light pitting in grooves. 1920s patent date magazines very fine to extremely fine, deep lustrous blue commercial finish with some loss of finish where they attach to the magazine guides. Numbered type "L" drum a dull parkerized finish with white filled SN numbers on both sides. Many of these drums were re-parkerized during the WWII era and issued to US troops. This cataloger has seen advertisements where they were subsequently offered as surplus for incredibly low prices. Contemporary manufactured drums appear new in their orig packaging, reproduction hard case extremely fine, 30-rd magazines very fine w/some flecks of corrosion from storage. The Colt Thompson is the iconic American machine gun, instantly recognizable, even to those who are not avid firearm enthusiasts. This is a very attractive Thompson with fabulous Dayton PD history, in very fine orig condition. 53206-1 JWK (30,000-40,000)