80 replies to this topic

[Mike Hammer]

0928jets, do not be in too much of a hurry to purchase a Thompson, one will come along at a reasonable,(fair) price soon enough. If money is precious to you, take your time or you will most certainly overpay for one. Question why you want the gun...investment, shooting, safe queen... With the worldwide banking/economic collapse soon to come, I can assure you that many will be for sale in the coming years as more people will be divesting assets into cash. The price of class 3 guns in my opinion has nowhere to go but down. Having said that, must you have a Colt? My overhauled WH runs and looks as good as any Colt, (and I have shot both) so if you are a shooter you may want to give some consideration to a lesser expensive gun.

Mike Hammer

[0928jets]

Yeah, that is about right. Very insightful, thank you Mike.
See it was pride that was messing with me having to have the gusto just because I could. I have always been obsessed with tommy guns since I was little but felt they were out of reach.
But I am a mix of an investor, and shooter. I am going to take my time with this one because I don't want to just put a diaper on my Thompson but feet I deserve more than a Kahr, whichever one I purchase.
Thanks
Nelson

Edited by 0928jets, 19 August 2012 - 12:08 AM.

[Chief762]

Having read all the posts I was going to quote one of the posts about the average age of a member on this board. Well I'm 32 and a teacher, and an amateur antique gun collector on the side. I have a real dilemma, I have the funding for a Thompson but am scared that I will buy too high. I could get a 1921 with no assesories for 30k or an Overstamp for 33-35k (maybe) with a lot of assesories and in great condition. I'm afraid that the stock and grips are not original on the Overstamp, plus on a teacher's salary that might be out of my range.
BUT I don't want this opportunity to slip
I just don't know, hopefully in 20 years my 1921 Colt won't still be worth 30k
I was told to get a lot of accessories and that condition will appreciate
But it's just so much dang cash
Help with some advice for a young blood collector with not much intention of shooting or making a dollar

I was 52 years old when I bought my 1st NFA weapon. It was 1996 and my dad passed away leaving me with some "extra" cash. I made sure my family got a chunk and did something nice for myself. My first love was the AK47 and It HAD to be a milled receiver like the 3rd pattern Russian gun. Up to that point I had never paid more than $450 for a firearm. I could have gotten a conversion for $2500 but I found a Chinese M22 for 5K. I was scared shitless but I did it. All I can say is "do it", you'll never regret it. I don't.

My only regret is that I didn't buy a Colt when I was "in the chips". I did pick up a great Savage 28 (and an MP5 and an M16) that to this day give me more pleasure than anything I've bought (dollar for dollar) in my life....

Hey guys,
I'm turning 63 in 2 months, and am buying my first NFA weapon, a WH 1928. Can't really afford a Colt or even a WWII gun although I could probably scrape up the cash somehow. Besides, I want to shoot it as much as I can in the next 10-15 years if I'm lucky enough to be granted that much more time. As a military man 1967-1982, (armorer MOS), I repaired, fired and carried most of the weapons we find important in these forums. I had an M1A1 in Vietnam for a while, got a photo of us, too. I guess it boils down to where is the fun in Thompsons for each individual. Colt owners may want to adore their guns for the history, workmanship and scarcity, but are afraid to shoot them too much for fear of breaking irreplaceable parts. Nothing wrong with that. I just want a gun I can shoot, break, repair and shoot some more. If I was 32 again, I might go for the Colt. At my age, tho, I want to fit in all the FA shooting I can whilw I can!

[Robert Henley]

I had an M1A1 in Vietnam for a while, got a photo of us, too.

Scan it and post it so we can see it if it's not too much trouble.

[bug]

Having read all the posts I was going to quote one of the posts about the average age of a member on this board. Well I'm 32 and a teacher, and an amateur antique gun collector on the side. I have a real dilemma, I have the funding for a Thompson but am scared that I will buy too high. I could get a 1921 with no assesories for 30k or an Overstamp for 33-35k (maybe) with a lot of assesories and in great condition. I'm afraid that the stock and grips are not original on the Overstamp, plus on a teacher's salary that might be out of my range.
BUT I don't want this opportunity to slip
I just don't know, hopefully in 20 years my 1921 Colt won't still be worth 30k
I was told to get a lot of accessories and that condition will appreciate
But it's just so much dang cash
Help with some advice for a young blood collector with not much intention of shooting or making a dollar

I was 52 years old when I bought my 1st NFA weapon. It was 1996 and my dad passed away leaving me with some "extra" cash. I made sure my family got a chunk and did something nice for myself. My first love was the AK47 and It HAD to be a milled receiver like the 3rd pattern Russian gun. Up to that point I had never paid more than $450 for a firearm. I could have gotten a conversion for $2500 but I found a Chinese M22 for 5K. I was scared shitless but I did it. All I can say is "do it", you'll never regret it. I don't.

My only regret is that I didn't buy a Colt when I was "in the chips". I did pick up a great Savage 28 (and an MP5 and an M16) that to this day give me more pleasure than anything I've bought (dollar for dollar) in my life....

Hey guys,
I'm turning 63 in 2 months, and am buying my first NFA weapon, a WH 1928. Can't really afford a Colt or even a WWII gun although I could probably scrape up the cash somehow. Besides, I want to shoot it as much as I can in the next 10-15 years if I'm lucky enough to be granted that much more time. As a military man 1967-1982, (armorer MOS), I repaired, fired and carried most of the weapons we find important in these forums. I had an M1A1 in Vietnam for a while, got a photo of us, too. I guess it boils down to where is the fun in Thompsons for each individual. Colt owners may want to adore their guns for the history, workmanship and scarcity, but are afraid to shoot them too much for fear of breaking irreplaceable parts. Nothing wrong with that. I just want a gun I can shoot, break, repair and shoot some more. If I was 32 again, I might go for the Colt. At my age, tho, I want to fit in all the FA shooting I can whilw I can!

Chief, do me a favor? Do yourself a favor. Bite the bullet(NPI) and buy a Savage or a Bridgeport 28. You'll never regret it and you'll thank me till the day you die which hopefully will be many, many years from now.

Bob D

[jim c 351]

Chief762,
You have good intentions and a really nice plan, but it will never work. Once you buy the first SMG, your hooked. Before you know it you'll have 5 or 6.
Jim C

[Chief762]

I had an M1A1 in Vietnam for a while, got a photo of us, too.

Scan it and post it so we can see it if it's not too much trouble.

OK, I'll do my best.

[Chief762]

Chief762,
You have good intentions and a really nice plan, but it will never work. Once you buy the first SMG, your hooked. Before you know it you'll have 5 or 6.
Jim C

Yeah, you're probably right...

[Chief762]

Having read all the posts I was going to quote one of the posts about the average age of a member on this board. Well I'm 32 and a teacher, and an amateur antique gun collector on the side. I have a real dilemma, I have the funding for a Thompson but am scared that I will buy too high. I could get a 1921 with no assesories for 30k or an Overstamp for 33-35k (maybe) with a lot of assesories and in great condition. I'm afraid that the stock and grips are not original on the Overstamp, plus on a teacher's salary that might be out of my range.
BUT I don't want this opportunity to slip
I just don't know, hopefully in 20 years my 1921 Colt won't still be worth 30k
I was told to get a lot of accessories and that condition will appreciate
But it's just so much dang cash
Help with some advice for a young blood collector with not much intention of shooting or making a dollar

I was 52 years old when I bought my 1st NFA weapon. It was 1996 and my dad passed away leaving me with some "extra" cash. I made sure my family got a chunk and did something nice for myself. My first love was the AK47 and It HAD to be a milled receiver like the 3rd pattern Russian gun. Up to that point I had never paid more than $450 for a firearm. I could have gotten a conversion for $2500 but I found a Chinese M22 for 5K. I was scared shitless but I did it. All I can say is "do it", you'll never regret it. I don't.

My only regret is that I didn't buy a Colt when I was "in the chips". I did pick up a great Savage 28 (and an MP5 and an M16) that to this day give me more pleasure than anything I've bought (dollar for dollar) in my life....

Hey guys,
I'm turning 63 in 2 months, and am buying my first NFA weapon, a WH 1928. Can't really afford a Colt or even a WWII gun although I could probably scrape up the cash somehow. Besides, I want to shoot it as much as I can in the next 10-15 years if I'm lucky enough to be granted that much more time. As a military man 1967-1982, (armorer MOS), I repaired, fired and carried most of the weapons we find important in these forums. I had an M1A1 in Vietnam for a while, got a photo of us, too. I guess it boils down to where is the fun in Thompsons for each individual. Colt owners may want to adore their guns for the history, workmanship and scarcity, but are afraid to shoot them too much for fear of breaking irreplaceable parts. Nothing wrong with that. I just want a gun I can shoot, break, repair and shoot some more. If I was 32 again, I might go for the Colt. At my age, tho, I want to fit in all the FA shooting I can whilw I can!

Chief, do me a favor? Do yourself a favor. Bite the bullet(NPI) and buy a Savage or a Bridgeport 28. You'll never regret it and you'll thank me till the day you die which hopefully will be many, many years from now.

Bob D

Done the deal, Bob. But this one might be OK. I posted a pic of it on an earlier thread. Appreciate your thought tho. Chief

[Chief762]

 SCAN0002.JPG   229.45K   140 downloads Wish I still looked that good.....

[bug]

Hey Chief, are you related to Jim C?? It would appear that you're at least soul mates....

[Robert Henley]

 SCAN0002.JPG   229.45K   140 downloads Wish I still looked that good.....

Great picture!

[Chief762]

Hey Chief, are you related to Jim C?? It would appear that you're at least soul mates....

Ah, all of us Vietnam vets are soul mates. I still give a "Welcome home, brother" to all I meet for the first time. Someone has to say it.

[Sig]

Any members who have bought or sold recently and willing to send me a PRIVATE update on actual selling prices to update my tracking, would gain my sincere appreciation.

Others know I have treated all information as such with the utmost privacy which is only shared by year end summary total (never any individual prices).
I am sure David Albert among others would vouch for me.

thanks for any consideration

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

Robert Necessary aka Bob-rat-tat-tat, 80% condition Colt TSMG with FBI case & matching # L Drum sold for $39.500 !

"1921 Colt Thompson cased set. s/n 4XXX, About 80% blue finish remaining."

http://www.subguns.c...query=retrieval

[dalbert]

Others know I have treated all information as such with the utmost privacy which is only shared by year end summary total (never any individual prices).
I am sure David Albert among others would vouch for me.

thanks for any consideration

Absolutely, I will vouch for Sig. He will keep your price information confidential, and has performed a great service with his price tracking through the years.

David Albert
dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

[Sig]

Here is the the tally on 2012 data.

Right now just tossed out the highest and lowest, 1 each, both in the total data and the sold only data.

Please remember this data is a reference of all Thompson "Asking" prices I was able to observe and "Sold" prices from private sources shared confidentially and/or auction prices.

Disclaimers
Your mileage may vary
I do not disclose sources or details to maintain privacy
Sorry, not able to do the sold analysis on previous years, do not have the time.

Hope everyone enjoys


take care

michael

 Thompson Prices 2012.jpg   235.24K   144 downloads

[Sig]

It is time to close and publish my 2013 annual Colt Thompson price update.  In the past have had a few sources provide actual sales information after I posted my annual report.

 

So, if anyone wants to give me a shout that cares to share (confidentially) any 2013 Colt Thompson sales price information, please PM me.  Will add any new information not in my tracking, that I receive.

 

I never disclose individual sales prices shared in confidence to me, with anyone else, just summaries as published here.

[Devil Dog 1110]

PM sent.
Thanks for doing this.

DD

[Sig]

Hello fellow enthusiasts.

 

Here is my most recent annual tracking data.  2013 had quite a bit of activity.

 

There was a unique multiple Thompson high end collection sale, and while impressive I did not believe it reflects market prices, that I intended to track, so those are not in this data.  The averages would skyrocket well into the $40's in the sold column if I were to include.  

 

So did not include that collection in this published data and as usual bumped out the lowest.

 

Based on the above adjustments there was not much observed change in the Averages from the previous year.
 

Please remember this data is a reference of all Thompson "Asking" prices I was able to observe and "Sold" prices from private sources shared confidentially and/or auction prices.

Disclaimers
Your mileage may vary
I do not disclose sources or details to maintain privacy
Sorry, not able to do the sold analysis on previous years, do not have the time.

 

thanks for those who responded to my post last weekend.

Hope everyone enjoys

 

thanks

michael

 

 Thompson prices 2013.jpg   248.14K   58 downloads