DXDunner Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 OK, all you guys (and gals) who would like to hear an amazing, real neat and very true Colt Thompson story – here it is. Recently a noble Colt Thompson 1921A, Serial Number 416, once again saw the light of day in that it left its “put away safely†resting place where it had been stored for over 20 years and assumed its rightful place of honor on a proper wall display in the Gun Room surrounded by other Colt Thompsons, flanked by an honor guard of West Hurley Thompsons and a wide variety of guns of less noble lineage. Now S/N 416 was quite happy to just hang there on the wall and be admired by one and all who happened through. And admired it was, not only because of its noble lineage shared with all other Colt Thompsons, but because of its documented service with the Roanoke, VA police department – the first organization with which it had the honor and privilege to serve . However, while delighted to be back in the real world, unbeknownst to the world at large and certainly unknown by its keeper it was really unhappy and sad because in its dim dark past under conditions and for reasons unknown to all but itself someone had replaced its original serial numbered Colt barrel with a military barrel. Nevertheless, our proud and noble ‘21A kept a stiff upper lip and continued to represent its noble heritage to one and all without a single complaint. And would you believe, the other day a distinguished and knowledgable gentleman passing through noticed that 416’s barrel had the thicker fins associated with the military or wartime barrels and therefore could not have been the original barrel. The proud and noble ‘21A was delighted after all these years to have someone take notice of this one blemish on its otherwise perfect appearance. But the best was yet to come. The proud and noble ‘21A heard the distinguished gentleman say “Wait, I think I may have something interesting outside in my automobile.†After a quick dash outside, what appeared but the original properly serial numbered barrel which had accompanied the proud and noble ‘21A when it left the Colt factory on May 12, 1921. Can you imagine not only the pure delight and joy of our noble ‘21A when it was reunited with its original barrel but the amazement of the mere humans charged with its proper care and feeding. Perhaps someday someone will calculate the odds of a barrel removed from a Thompson some 60 years ago not being trashed and floating through gun shows and collectors hands until it finds its way home. Now, ladies and gentlemen – you have the rest of the story. Obviously, your thoughts, comments or observations are solicited. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/dxdunner/1921A%20Barrel%20Discovery/DSC_1479aa.jpg http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/dxdunner/1921A%20Barrel%20Discovery/DSC_1480a.jpg http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/dxdunner/1921A%20Barrel%20Discovery/DSC_1484a.jpg http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/dxdunner/1921A%20Barrel%20Discovery/DSC_1482a.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Man, That's a cool story and a very nice gun. I'm jealous! The odds are astronomical, but it happened. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/woot.gif Maybe you should buy a lottery ticket sometime soon. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/wink.gif Norm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye_Joe Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Makes one ponder why the barrels were exchanged in the first place... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/huh.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DXDunner Posted August 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Hawkeye: About 3" from the muzzle end there is a very slight internal blemish -- not a ring or bulge, just a slight blemish on the inside that you really have to look hard to even see. Therefore it may have been a squib load that left a bullet in the barrel which led to a barrel change. Later the bullet was removed and the barrel is perfectly servicable. But, who really knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 DXDunner, Please tell me that this cun is in the USA. If it is, it transferable or is it a "dealer sample." Either way, I am glad to see such an early gun survive the ravages of time (and our laws!) Norm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DXDunner Posted August 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Norm: It's hanging right there among the Thompson display on the wall of my Gun Room which I can assure you is right here in the old US of A. And it is fully transferable -- not a dealer sample of any kind. Why not come on over and visit. RKIs are always welcome; after all I may get another great story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full auto 45 Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 OXYGEN QUICK!! Now for a Colt, that is nice. Congrats on the find there. And I love the factory white lettering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 DXDunner, Thanks for the invitation. I forgot that you have the massive gun room that has everyone drooling. I can understand that you wouldn't want everyone to know where it is, but can you tell me which state you live in? Hopefully it is close to TN (or in TN! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif ) Fully transferable; makes me wonder how much a gun likr that is worth. Norm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Fliegenheimer Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 DXDunner, Would it be stretching the serendipity to expect the "distinguished and knowledgeable gentleman" to have the original 1921 Colt actuator in his car as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sig Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 DXGunner I am glad you are thrilled!! Our distinguished gentleman friend, showed me the same barrel a few weeks ago and told me the story. I did see that minor internal blemish. He and I pulled the barrel off my #340 to confirm it was the original barrel that same weekend, and it was engraved with #340 on the breach end, whew! You just never know until you pull it out! Congrats on the happy reunion in your case. michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantpanda4 Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 That is a great story and great his-story! You need to keep that gentleman friend on your Christmas list! Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21 smoker Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 My guess to the ID of the `gentleman friend`is....G.H.... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif .... Sig,...you must be very trusting to let someone pull the barrel on your Colt...that was one fine example of an early 21.. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/tongue.gif ...I have never held a better one than yours...fwiw... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sig Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 21 smoker With the right tools and with the right experience it is very simple to do. By the end of the day we had together removed and installed several more barrels as shooters on some other TSMG's including WH's. The right tools were made by Doug Richardson which our friend and I both have. It was quite fun actually. michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
October1971 Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 DXDunner, Fascinating story about #416 and its barrel coming home. It's that kind of outcome that makes this all so worthwhile! I enjoyed talking with you about this event this evening. Knowing the participants involved in this caper, I know that's it's a true story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Todd Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 It seems that only good ol' GH has the resources to track down the barrel and the 1921 TSMG. I will miss having the numbered barrel in my collection. I am sorry that I am unable to make the TSMG get-together this weekend. Jennie and I hope to see most of the guys at other shows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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