April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2023
For the sophisticated and discriminating Thompson Submachine Gun Collector. A Thompson with a special presentation piece. Two years after Britain declared war on Germany, and began equipping thousands of her soldiers with the popular “Tommy Gun“ purchased from Auto-Ordnance Corporation, the company president, Russell Maguire, presented his key employee, Frederick A. Willis, with this ultra-rare Miniature Thompson Submachine Gun Presentation display piece. This solid Sterling Silver Thompson measures 9" long and just under 4" high. It is one of very few Russell Maguire had crafted for his special presentations. Others were presented to Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, and Chiang Kai-shek! Reference page 425 of “The Ultimate Thompson Book.” This Sterling Silver Thompson rests on a display stand with a Sterling Silver plaque which reads: “To FREDERICK A. WILLIS an important and a delightful member of the winning team Auto-Ordnance Corporation Russell Maguire – President December 1941.” Also included in this lot is an original copy of the privately printed hardcover book, “TOMMY,” which tells the story of the Thompson machine gun. This book was privately printed by Frederick A. Willis and presented to Russell Maguire, President of Auto-Ordnance Corporation. The book is extremely entertaining to examine, as it combines cartoons, photographs, and text which chronicles how Russel Maguire assumed control of Auto-Ordnance Corporation and how the Thompson went from a most unsuccessful venture into a military arm fielded worldwide in numerous armies. The Sterling Silver Display Thompson dedicated to Frederick A. Willis is clearly visible in a photo with Russell Maguire in this included published book “TOMMY”. Most Thompson Submachine gun Collectors have never seen one of these incredibly scarce Sterling Silver Thompson Dedicated Display Pieces, or an original copy of Fredrick Willis’s book “TOMMY.” The gun which completes this lot, a very attractive Savage manufactured Auto Ordnance Model 1928A1 Thompson with correct 50-round Bridgeport drum, is a fine example of the model of the Thomson that brought Russell Maguire and Auto-Ordnance such success, particularly with the magnitude of its sales to Britain, made possible with the help of Frederick A. Willis, Cousin of Winston Churchill! Russell Maguire was extremely astute to make Willis Vice President of Auto-Ordnance. Then, as now, connections help sales. The British received one hundred and fifty thousand 1928A1 Thompson submachineguns, a favorite of the elite British Commandos as well as other British units. The machine gun is a fully-transferable Curio & Relic eligible 1928A1 Thompson Submachine Gun which features a Lyman adjustable rear sight, Cutts compensator with bullet logo trademark on left side, flaming bomb proof next to “GFG” inspectors mark on left side with added 3-letter arsenal rebuild mark. Serial numbers are matching between upper and lower assemblies with “NAC” suffix added to both. This suffix indicates this gun was reimported back into the United States after WWII by Numrich Arms Corporation and registered as “manufactured” by Numrich. Other left-side receiver markings are “THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN”, “CALIBRE .45 AUTOMATIC CARTRIDGE”. Top of receiver marked “TOMMY GUN” which is completely consistent with a gun that went overseas during World War II. This may have been one of the guns purchased after the war, as part of the Killgore Manufacturing Company acquisition that established Numrich Arms Company’s prominence in the firearms world. Electronic NFA registry indicates “NUMRICH ARMS CO” as the manufacturer. PROVENANCE: This is one of the Thompson machine guns featured in the July 1973 edition of GUNS AND AMMO magazine and extensively described in an article by Hank Drake. This gun, by serial number, is identified in the article. This particular GUNS AND AMMO edition introduced private machine gun ownership on a widespread scale to American gun owners and would-be gun owners. An original copy is included with the gun. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine to near excellent matte gray blue arsenal refinish with some slight loss of finish to gray patina at the high edges, particularly at the actuator slot. Barrel has a near excellent lustrous blue finish which indicates it as a replacement. Wood is near excellent with some very light handling marks. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright as is the bolt face. Mechanics are crisp. This is a select fire machine gun. A great WWII collectible Thompson which can take both stick magazines and drums, with fascinating and historically significant accessories. Most Thompson Collectors have never even seen one of Russell Maguire’s Sterling Silver Miniature Presentation Thompsons, or an original of Frederick Willis’ book “TOMMY.” THIS MACHINEGUN 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 2023-4-32
CORRECTION: Photos updated.
Accessories
"Tommy" book, Sterling Silver Thompson Miniature
Manufacturer
Auto Ordnance
Paperwork
Provenance, History, Articles