H Harrison

According to a few, much wiser than me….There are between 2000 and 2500 honest transferable Colt Thompson's in private ownership….Not many left from the original 15,000 that were produced.. Roughly 2 out of 15 are left after 90 years….That is not many at all from the original Colt production run…. Let’s say, soldiers going into combat and the survival rate was 2 for every 15, those odds are about 14%….Horrible odds…. A Colt Thompson gun by itself is rare and a real part of our country’s history, which model is worth more, in my humble opinion, depends on 3 things, condition, condition, and condition…. Example…A rough and welded, however, still registered Colt 1927 semi-carbine should not sell for anywhere close to a Colt over-stamp Navy in original pristine condition….. Someone may pay more, again in my humble opinion it certainly should not be….. One other point while I am on my tiny soapbox… I have felt for years, we have 3 uniquely different generations of Thompson guns out there… Simply defined…. Generation 1 All original completed Colt (marked) Thompson Guns…The first 15,000 assembled in Hartford Regardless of model... Generation 2 All Thompson guns and models produced during the WW2 years….Savage and AOC Generation 3 The West Hurley NY (Numrich-Kahr) Thompson marked guns. Some of the early guns were even assembled with left over Colt parts…. That is my opinion….Please comment…..

Check out this Thompson for auction....!!!! Do you think it went through a fire?? http://www.jcdevine.com/auction/catalog.as...;Sec=1&pg=1 S2. Colt Model 1921 Thompson Submachine Gun "N.Y. STATE POLICE/ DEPT OF CORRECTIONS" Serial# 5161, .45 A.C.P. caliber. 10 1/2" finned barrel, fine, bright bore. The receiver and grip frame have matching numbers. The gun has been professionally refinished, the metal retains about 75% blue with the balance light gray/brown patina (most of the finish loss is on the grip frame). The metal shows several tiny dings and scratches under the blue and all of the factory markings are in fine condition. The buttstock has three repairable grain cracks at the attaching iron. The stocks show light finish wear and normal light scratches, the anchor stamp on the buttstock is no longer visible, however this is an original stock. A black crinkle finish oiler is in the butt recess.

Just tracing history. These were prison guns, the paperwork traces them from when purchased by the state prison system (late 1920's) to when they were sold in the early 1970's. Nothing really special, other than they are Colt 1921A models. Average condition 80-85% Wood has been replaced with another original Colt Wood set with anchor. Original Colt Wood has a lot of Rack Wear and dings.

Thank you in advance for your time. I am looking at 2 Colt Thompsons both are 1921A models in approximately the same condition. One in the 4000 range. The other in the 12,000 range. For a long term investment, which one would be considered more unique? The 4000 because of the lower number? The 12,000 because of a high number and is an original 1921A (documented history on both guns) Or...Makes no difference, based all on "condition only"??

What is your opinion with the Colt Thompsons? Which model brings more money. The Colt 1921A The Colt 1921/28AC

Lionhart, you would be much farther ahead to just purchase one of those no function dummy guns with a steel receiver built from real Thompson parts. my 2cents....

Great collection Wilson, did you manage to acquire one of those rare metric Lymans as well?