May 18, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2022
Auto Ordnance Corporation manufactured Model 1928A1 Thompson with contemporary 50 round drum marked “AUTO-ORDNANCE CORP. / NEW YORK / REGISTERED IN THE / U.S. PATENT OFFICE.”. This is a “A.O.” (Auto Ordnance) prefix serial number with added “X” suffix of the receiver number. Lower assembly serial number matches (without added “X”). Lyman marked adjustable rear sight. Vertical foregrip. 3rd variation Auto-Ordnance marked Cutts compensator with bullet logo on left side. Left side of receiver left factory originally marked “U.S. Model 1928 A1” above serial number, currently the “U.S.” has been machined out, and a “C” overstamped over the “1” so that it is now marked “Model 1928 AC”. Thompsons marked in this way indicates the were sold by the U.S. Government to police agencies after World War II. Other left-hand receiver markings are, “THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN”, “CALIBRE .45 AUTOMATIC CARTRIDGE”, and deeply electro-penciled, “A.P.D. / 10”. Right-hand receiver markings are typical “AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION” with Bridgeport address. Lower assembly has a very neatly engraved, “10” on left side, and both sides of the stock also has a very neatly stamped “10”, which must have been a police department identification number. A copy of the past owner registration form indicating this gun was transferred from, “ARDLES ELECTRONICS” is included with this lot. Also included is an original April 1990 softcover 10-page Auto-Ordnance Corporation catalog, and “On the Side of Law & Order” exhibit catalog for the Thompson which was displayed in the National Firearms Museum through December 31, 2004. Accessories include 2 Can Co manufactured 30-round magazines, contemporary hard case with brown felt liner, and an original 1940 edition of the “HANDBOOK OF THE THOMPSON MACHINE GUN MODEL OF 1928”. Electronic NFA registry indicates “THOMPSON” as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine dull matte grey-blue finish with some loss of finish to grey patina at the high edges, particularly at the actuator slot, and at the muzzle. Barrel and compensator have a lustrous blue finish thinning to a grey patina at places. Buttplate finish is quite nice, thinning to grey patina at the high edges. Drum and stick magazines have a lustrous blue finish. Wood is extremely fine with some light handling marks and a tiny chip at the edge of the rear metal hardware screw hole. Bore is extremely fine, shiny, and bright as is the bolt face. Mechanics are crisp. This is a select-fire machine gun. A very nice specimen despite the added police department markings to the left side of the receiver. It never fails to give this cataloger cause to contemplate the procedure that an organization (and sometimes an individual) chooses to permanently deface a piece of equipment with a unique “property number”, rather than simply made note of an already neatly applied serial number to identify or organize a piece of equipment. Certainly, the “10” on the lower receiver could have also been neatly applied to the upper, and the lower already had a serial number on it matching it to the upper. (??) THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 OR 4 AS CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2022-3-37
Accessories
Case, drum mag, 2 stick mags and shoulder stock
Manufacturer
Auto Ordnance