December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
Unquestionably all original high condition specimen of a Colt 1921A Thompson (never fitted with a Cutts Compensator). Gordon Herigstad's serial number listing of serial numbers and histories states: "Captain H.B.C. Pollard London, England British Arms Expert Shipped 4/26/21". Captain Hugh Pollard was the intelligence officer on the staff of the Chief of Police in Ireland, headquartered at the "Irish Office" based at Dublin castle. This is one of 5 Thompson machine guns shipped to Captain Pollard (#121, #134, #135, and #175 were the others). It is a safe assumption that these guns were intended to be, and in fact likely were, used in Ireland by the British authorities there, putting down the Irish independence rebellion. According to a letter dated April 26, 1921, from F.J. Merkling, the Secretary of Auto-Ordnance Corporation, to Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, these guns were being shipped that day as a tax-exempt shipment. Captain Pollard made several references in his book, Secret Societies of Ireland: Their Rise and Progress, published in July 1922, that Thompson machine guns were used in Ireland. It was in June 1921 that the British government terminated any intention to associate or do business with Auto-Ordnance Corporation as a result of the discovery that Auto-Ordnance had sold 600 Thompson machine guns to the Irish Republican Army. These 600 guns were intercepted and seized aboard the S.S. East Side in New York Harbor on June 12, 1921. No doubt this motivated Captain Hugh Pollard to return his Thompson guns to Auto-Ordnance Corporation in New York. According to Herigstad's book, this gun later came into the possession of the West Virginia State Police, Charleston, West Virginia, as part of a grouping of 69 guns. It quite possibly could have been at the Blair Mountain conflict during the period of coal miners unrest in the late summer of 1921. One can read details about this engagement in the American Rifleman article published in March 2014, "Guns of the Battle of Blair Mountain" by Kenneth L. Smith-Christmas. It is documented in Herigstad's book that this gun was subsequently purchased by a Dealer near Houston, Texas, and then on to the William P. Scarmardo collection (11/82), and Danny Scarmardo collection (6/2010). This gun retains its original 1921 internal parts and correct "anchor" marked original buttstock. Typical markings on receiver with visible serial numbers matching. Crisp clear lettering and sharp edges throughout. 1 original correctly patent dated 20-round magazine is included with this lot. Electronic NFA registry indicates "COLT" as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is near excellent deep lustrous blue original finish with slight loss of finish at high points with the finish thinning to a pleasing gray patina in places. All the lettering is absolutely clear throughout. Wood furnishings have some small dings and handing marks, but have not been sanded or touched up. One can still feel the grain of the wood with ones fingertips. Bore is extremely fine, shiny and bright. Bolt is near excellent. Mechanics are crisp. This is a select fire machine gun. It is very seldom that a piece, especially a Thompson, comes to public offering which combines high original condition with absolutely solid historical provenance. One of the top original condition specimens to pass through this cataloger's hands. This is a piece eminently suitable for a Firearms Reference Library as well as the most advanced and discerning Collector/Investor. 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 & RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2023-12-13