Originally manufactured by Colt as a Model 1921 Thompson SMG, one of a number stuck in inventory due to sluggish sales; while today the Thompson is recognized as an American classic and one of the all-time finest "heavy metal" SMGs, at the time it was a novel, untested and expensive weapon, and few were willing to roll the dice. The U.S. Marine Corps was an early adopter, and the firm attempted to capitalize on the connection by adding "U.S. NAVY" markings to their 1921s, updating the features based on USMC feedback, and overstamping the "1921" to "1928" to match their newer model. According to Herigstad's "Colt Thompson Submachine Gun Serial Numbers and Histories" (page 863), this particular Thompson was shipped to the Sheriff's Office of Umatilla County, Oregon as a single item on October 4, 1934. It would later be recorded in a private commerce starting in 1983. Included are copies of the 1934 registration for this Thompson with the Sheriff's Office of Umatilla County and 1983 registration transferring the Thompson to an Oregon couple, as well as an April 1934 mailing card from Art Burnside Sporting Goods of Spokane, Washington, informing Sheriff of Umatilla County R.E. Goad that the Thompson would soon arrive and offered to sell the sheriff ammunition at a discounted price. Art Burnside was the maker of the Oregon boot shackle, a prison restraint fitted to the prisoner's foot. Blade front sight on the unmarked Cutts-style compensator and a folding Lyman rear sight, showing the signature cooling fins on the barrel, dual pistol grips and quick-detachable buttstock with a small "anchor" on the front. The left side of the receiver has the aforementioned "U.S. NAVY" model markings ahead of the 5-line address and caliber markings, with the Thompson "bullet" logo on top and the Auto-Ordnance address and 6-line patent markings on the right. The trigger group is numbered to match the receiver on the underside, with separate selector ("FULL/AUTO" and "SINGLE") and safety ("FIRE" and "SAFE") levers. The internals are of the 1928 pattern, with the reduced spring and spring guide and correspondingly heavier bolt assembly, with brass Blish Lock and felt padded oiler. Included with the lot are two 50-round Type "L" drum magazines, one 20-round stick magazine, two extra barrels, extra buttplate and bolt components, and a number of related documents, including manuals and historical information. Provenance: Sheriff's Office of Umatilla County, Oregon; Oregon couple; Property of a Gentleman

Exceptionally fine, with 90% plus blue finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, light handling marks, and some minor spotting/oxidization concentrated on the buttplate. No witness mark is present on the replacement barrel. The furniture is fine, with minor scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 479.