M17ap Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 Looking at 21 for sale serial is 14,xxx close to end of run. All 21 s I have seen had JHB inspection mark on right side of receiver near patent dates toward ejection port. This gun looks 85 to 90 % cond. owner says never reblued so marking not buffed out. Also told not all 21 s had this inspection mark. Gun looks great just not sure about no inspection mark. Would appreciate input from knowledgeable 21 collectors.Please post your replys here and thanks in advance for your input. M17apForgot to mention this is a 28 Navy model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 The JHB inspection mark is not found on every Colt's Thompson submachine gun - most, but not all. Given the late serial number, I am not surprised the mark is missing. However, as with every Colt's, I would inspect the finish closely. Question: Does the patent dates on the right side of the receiver contain the three 1922 patent dates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebv519 Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 No they do not have three 1922 patent dates on receiver They have the 9 patent dates one 1915 and and eight 1920 What are the 1922 dates for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 ebv519,Are you referring to the 14,000 Thompson gun referenced by M17ap, above? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M17ap Posted February 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 Ebv519 is correct. 9 patent dates March 1915 to Dec 1920 - serial 14,xxxM17ap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebv519 Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 yes I think there was 15,000 made I was more concerned about JHB inspection mark on side of receiver it is not there ? the serial number is 14,xxx? gun was not reblued Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bug Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Ebv519 is correct. 9 patent dates March 1915 to Dec 1920 - serial 14,xxxM17ap Do you know the full number? Is it less than 14,500? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebv519 Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppgcowboy Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 I may be different but the jhb stamp is not on all guns, therefore,it is a more rare gun. As is the case in mine. If you like the gun and the price, get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Pictures certainly would help with any evaluation. Regarding the JHB mark, it is not found on every Colt's Thompson submachine gun - most, but not all. Given the early 14,000 serial number range, it is not really a concern. There are many other things I would be carefully inspecting given todays prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebv519 Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Thanks for the help!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARK2112 Posted December 7, 2021 Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 (edited) I was once told that the inspector (james Barrett) left for a couple days around valentines day to spend with the wife.so there were a small amount of guns that didn't receive the stamp. Edited December 7, 2021 by MARK2112 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARK2112 Posted December 7, 2021 Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 (edited) through further reading as many as 1/3 of the 15k Thompsons do not have the "JHB" stamp. Edited December 7, 2021 by MARK2112 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted December 7, 2021 Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 through further reading as many as 1/3 of the 15k Thompsons do not have the "JHB" stamp. That guy was lazy and not at work enough clearly. Haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted December 8, 2021 Report Share Posted December 8, 2021 Wow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBill Posted December 8, 2021 Report Share Posted December 8, 2021 I had a 21AC in the 7xxx range that i sold several years ago and it did not have the JHB stamp. Gun came out of Corpus Christie PD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetstreamer Posted December 8, 2021 Report Share Posted December 8, 2021 (edited) So then it begs the question of what the significance is of not having an inspection mark?? Does that mean It never officially passed an inspection? Edited December 8, 2021 by Jetstreamer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARK2112 Posted December 8, 2021 Report Share Posted December 8, 2021 Idk...it either has it or it doesn't....I don't think it really has any significance in the price.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted December 8, 2021 Report Share Posted December 8, 2021 Arthur raised this subject after the publication of my Amateur's Guide book. The below thread has a very interesting discussion on this subject, probably the most it has ever been discussed. TD's Colt TSMG Amateur Guide & "JHB" Stamp Revelatio - Thompson Submachine Gun Message Board - MachineGunBoards.com Forums The lack of a JHB mark is certainly noteworthy, especially on any early guns. I don't believe the mark or lack thereof has anything to do with value or originality. When I examine a Colt without the mark, it makes me look twice for signs of refinishing. All good stuff!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter2015 Posted December 11, 2021 Report Share Posted December 11, 2021 Question- Where the Colts inspector stamped applied after the finish process was complete, should I be able to see white metal in the JHB markings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted December 11, 2021 Report Share Posted December 11, 2021 Yes. You should. But may have to have it in correct lighting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anjong-ni Posted December 11, 2021 Report Share Posted December 11, 2021 In this interesting WW2 movie, a lovely Pennsylvanian "ordnance inspector" stamps a Union Switch 1911 pistol at minute-7:25.She's probably not "RCD". When The Boss looks them over at minute-9:05, he seems to be only interested in making sure that they are actually...stamped... Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Iannamico Posted December 11, 2021 Report Share Posted December 11, 2021 Workers were authorized by the ordnance inspector to stamp the guns, the actual, AIO Army Inspector of Ordnance, officer whose initials are on the stamp worked in an office far from the factory floor. Cool video! Switch and Signal is/was in Swissvale, PA just outside of downtown Pittsburgh. The company was there for many years after the war, but I think its gone now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnshooter Posted December 12, 2021 Report Share Posted December 12, 2021 Wonderful film; invites one to think -that every piece of hardware in WW II was made by this single machine, labor intensive process. If only there was a similar documentary made on the Thompson. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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