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1921 Colt Thompson Inspection Mark - JHB in Circle


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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. M17ap

Forgot to mention this is a 28 Navy model.

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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?

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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?

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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.

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  • 2 years later...

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 by MARK2112
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through further reading as many as 1/3 of the 15k Thompsons do not have the "JHB" stamp.

Edited by MARK2112
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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!!!

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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

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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.

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