May 12-14, 2026 Firearms & Militaria

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Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/12/2026

Extremely high condition specimen of a Colt 1921AC Thompson This gun is documented by Auto-Ordnance letter as having been shipped to Polk County (Sheriff’s Office), Des Moines, Iowa, on September 25th, 1933. This is the same Sheriff’s Office which clashed with the Barrow gang earlier that year and mortally wounded “Buck” Barrow at that time. Other provenance includes a copy of the original 1934 registration to “Polk County” in September 1934 and then Form 1 dated .Sept 1942 registering this gun to, “L.A. Thornton” as a member of the Department at that time. Additional chain of ownership shows the sale and transfer of this gun to Law Enforcement Ordnance Company in 1977, and subsequently to “John Williamson aka “John Newton Wilkinson” (according to registration form) in October 1977. There is also a receipt showing this gun was purchased in 2003 by the person who subsequently sold this gun to the current consignor. Extremely desirable accessories included with this gun are an original felt lined trunk case, with original key. One matte finish 3rd model (1920s patent dates) 50-round drum, four original 20-round "1920"patent dates magazines, vintage brass cleaning rod, extremely rare and sought after original tin box tool/cleaning kit with contents, and very rare original factory promotional booklet, 1940 handbook of the Thompson machine gun, original Auto-Ordnance, “Gun of Law and Order” booklet for police, “The Thompson Machine Gun Made Easy”, and, “The American Gunsmithing Institute, Thompson Machine Gun” book. This gun retains its original 1921 internal parts and correctly marked original buttstock. Typical markings on receiver with visible serial numbers matching. “JHB” inspection mark very clear on right side of receiver with crisp clear lettering and sharp edges throughout. Electronic NFA registry indicates “THOMPSON” in the manufacturer's block. PROVENANCE: Paperwork as stated above. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is near excellent deep lustrous blue original finish with very slight loss of finish at the forward edge of the charging handle slot, at the high edges, and at the stock attachment points. There are some very light handling marks to the wood furnishings. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright with near excellent bolt face. Mechanics are crisp. This is a select fire machine gun. Original case is extremely fine with typical wear at corners and handle, with inside lining extremely fine. Tin tool kit box extremely fine, emplaced in case with very fragile original leather straps. So fragile this cataloger declined to remove snap to open and examine contents, although the contents were observed at a past Thompson Collector’s Association meeting. This is among the finest condition model 1921AC guns this cataloger has seen and considering the very rare accessories included, this is among the most desirable Thompson lots Morphy’s has ever offered. If an advanced collector wants one of the best possible specimens, with hard to fine accessories, this is the gun that they have been looking for. 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 2026-05-008.

ADDENDUM: Please take special notice that this lot includes the ONLY Marine Corp Service Kit ever found and observed by Tom Davis Jr. This very gun is featured on pages 139-140 in Tom Davis’s book, “An Amateur’s Guide for the Colt’s Thompson Machine Gun: (Or How to be an Informed Buyer in a very Expensive Market). Photo of Amnesty paperwork and 2nd Edition Auto Ordnance Handbook uploaded.

Bidding Current Bidding Minimum Bid: $30,000.00 Final prices include buyers premium: $108,000.00 Estimate: $60,000 - $100,000 Number Bids: 17	Auction closed on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

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