dalbert Posted December 30, 2018 Report Share Posted December 30, 2018 I'm posting these photos for your commentary and consideration of Colt Model of 1921AC Thompson serial number 3971, which is coming to the market soon, and is pretty unique. It was registered in 1934 by a PD with an 8" barrel. I have a copy of the 1934 paperwork, though for some reason, I'm not able to find it on my computer at the moment. David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Mills Posted December 30, 2018 Report Share Posted December 30, 2018 OK I think I've seen it all after looking at those pics. Never saw that one before. Was it modified or factory built like that? Verrrry interesting. I noticed Ruben's logo on the pics. Perhaps he is the current owner?Thanks for posting. Very cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorcar Posted December 30, 2018 Report Share Posted December 30, 2018 Clearly that manufacturer's defect will make it an orphan of the collector community, I will take charge of it for no fee until a forever home is found at a much later date Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gijive Posted December 30, 2018 Report Share Posted December 30, 2018 Dave, Was the gun registered in 1934 specifically mentioning the 8" barrel? My guess would be that the gun was registered in 1934 and the barrel shortened at a later date, maybe a "squib" round damaged the front of the barrel? Interesting gun, thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilroy Posted December 30, 2018 Report Share Posted December 30, 2018 I kind of like it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted December 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 Dave, Was the gun registered in 1934 specifically mentioning the 8" barrel? My guess would be that the gun was registered in 1934 and the barrel shortened at a later date, maybe a "squib" round damaged the front of the barrel? Interesting gun, thanks for posting. Chuck, It was registered in 1934, specifically with the 8" barrel. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bug Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 I've always been a fan of carbines... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppgcowboy Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 Cute, sassy almost sexy. But all Thompson's are sexy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 David, do you know if it has a square end actuator slot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTRS-14.5 Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 Wow I'd even swap a trash prototype for a nice carbine! Really! It does have a cool factor... PTRS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadycon Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 (edited) Easier to maneuver thru narrow doorways? Edited December 31, 2018 by shadycon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim c 351 Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 The gun may have been registered in 1934 with an 8 inch barrel but that doesn't mean that it wasn't owned and used by someone else prior to 1934.Perhaps the registering dept bought it in 1924, damaged the barrel, as gijive suggested, had the barrel repaired, and registered it when the 1934 law required.If this is the case, then who among you, would want to pay extra for a gun with a damaged and repaired barrel. And by the way, the actuator in the gun is not the same as the one pictured separately.Jim C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 Pretty smart repair of a bulged barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_brock Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 So someone would cut the barrel off, size it and cut new threads on the end when replacement parts were readily available? Possible, but seems like a lot of work/expense but given the timeframe, maybe someone was trying to save some money on a repair. David,Does Ruben have a good picture of the end of the barrel inside the comp? Curious as to how well the end is crowned compared to other Colt guns. It would be interesting to pull the comp off the gun and get some pictures of the end of the barrel. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 A World War II shortened Model of 1928... http://www.machinegunboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21896 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1921A Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 Dave Interesting find - I found one with a sawed off barrel years ago. They bulged the barrel, cut it off just behind the bulge and used it that way. I gotta go with bulged barrel shortened and then refitted with the compensator. It would not be very difficult to do on the bobbed barrel with first model compensator. If they sent it back to AOC for repair they most likely would have replaced the barrel. I believe AOC was set up in New York to add compensators so they would have been able to make this repair but it still begs the question - why would they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gijive Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 (edited) The gun may have been registered in 1934 with an 8 inch barrel but that doesn't mean that it wasn't owned and used by someone else prior to 1934.Perhaps the registering dept bought it in 1924, damaged the barrel, as gijive suggested, had the barrel repaired, and registered it when the 1934 law required.If this is the case, then who among you, would want to pay extra for a gun with a damaged and repaired barrel. And by the way, the actuator in the gun is not the same as the one pictured separately.Jim CJim, Yeah, good point. the barrel was likely modified prior to the registration for whatever reason, then the gun was registered in compliance with the NFA in 1934. Interesting that the job looks very professional. It is a 1st Pattern Cutts and the finish on the compensator looks nice as well as the cross-pin, which doesn't appear marred at the ends. It appears to be the original barrel that lines up nicely with the witness mark on the receiver. I noticed the actuator as well, maybe it's a bonus, you get two with the gun? Edited December 31, 2018 by gijive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim c 351 Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 Ron,Between 1928 and 1932, Colt installed type 1 comps when gun was retuned for a comp.Around 1932 a new barrel and type 2 comp could be installed if a person didn't mind buying a new barrel.Why pay for a new barrel if a type one comp could be fitted for less, not to mention the fact that this could have taken place before 1932.Jim C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black River Militaria CII Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 (edited) >And by the way, the actuator in the gun is not the same as the one pictured separately.< Yeah, I noticed that, too. Probably a spare lying around to use for the pic since he doesnt like disassembling the guns if he can help it. Edited December 31, 2018 by Black River Militaria CII Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonteenager Posted December 31, 2018 Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 I'm posting these photos for your commentary and consideration of Colt Model of 1921AC Thompson serial number 3971, which is coming to the market soon, and is pretty unique. It was registered in 1934 by a PD with an 8" barrel. I have a copy of the 1934 paperwork, though for some reason, I'm not able to find it on my computer at the moment. 3971_Thompson_1921 - 001@2x.jpeg 3971_Thompson_1921 - 002@2x.jpeg 3971_Thompson_1921 - 003@2x.jpeg 3971_Thompson_1921 - 004@2x.jpeg 3971_Thompson_1921 - 005@2x.jpeg 3971_Thompson_1921 - 006@2x.jpeg 3971_Thompson_1921 - 007@2x.jpeg 3971_Thompson_1921 - 008@2x.jpeg 3971_Thompson_1921 - 009@2x.jpeg 3971_Thompson_1921 - 010@2x.jpeg David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.comSome of the very early Thompsons (1919 Model) had shorter than 10.5 inch barrels meaning this has a very rare barrel or the department wanted something a bit more close quarters all I know is I cant afford it and its cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inertord Posted January 1, 2019 Report Share Posted January 1, 2019 Looks like Columbus Ohio PD was the original purchaser of No. 3971 as a 1921AC. I like the bulged / shortened barrel theory. Ohio had plenty of master gunsmiths and gunmakers in that era that could have performed the shortening work without issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted January 1, 2019 Report Share Posted January 1, 2019 I think thats awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted January 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2019 David, do you know if it has a square end actuator slot? Digger, Unfortunately, the photos did not capture that detail. I will ask. I'm going to assume that the 21 actuator comes with it separately, and it has a WWII actuator currently installed. I will also ask about this. I found this additional photo that shows that the barrel index lines up. My 4th Edition Gordon book lists the following about #3971: 21AColumbus, Ohio Police DepartmentE.E. Richardson, Auto Ordnance Salesman for the Frank P. Hall Company - Sold to: the Columbus, Ohio P.D. David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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