Auto-Ordnance Model 28AC Thompson Submachine Gun manufactured by Colt in 1921. Colt manufactured 15,000 Thompson Submachine Guns for the Auto-Ordnance Corporation in 1921. All 15,000 guns were initially made in the Model 21A configuration with finned barrel, no Cutts Compensator, pistol grip fore-grips and 800 round per minute cyclic rate of fire. The Marine Corps obtained a small number of Model 21A Thompsons in the mid-1920s and used the guns in combat in Nicaragua and China. Based on the initial Marine criticism of the high rate of fire, Auto-Ordnance introduced the Model 28AC Thompson Submachine Gun. The Model 28AC featured a Cutts Compensator to reduce muzzle climb and weighted actuator, redesigned recoil spring and pilot rod to reduce the rate of fire to a more controllable 600 rounds per minute. Most military Model 28AC guns were equipped with horizontal fore-grips and sling swivels. Auto-Ordnance stamped "U.S. NAVY" above the original "MODEL OF 1921" designation on the right side of the receiver and over-stamped the "1" in "1921" with "8" for the 1928 designation. Although several hundred Model 28AC "U.S. Navy Over-Stamp" submachine guns were purchased by the Marines and Navy, most of the guns were sold to law enforcement agencies that wanted more firepower to combat "Auto Bandit" during the early 1930s. This submachine gun has the Colt pre-war commercial blue finish found on all Colt/Auto-Ordnance Thompson Submachine Guns. The stock, pistol grip and fore-grip are straight grain, oil finished walnut. The stock, fore-grip, and pistol grip were manufactured for Auto-Ordnance by Remington's Arms Co., and the front of the stock is stamped with a tiny anchor which denotes Remington manufacture. The finned barrel has a "Type II" Cutts Compensator with the Cutt's trademark and patent dates stamped on the top. The receiver has the Lyman folding leaf rear sight stamped: "MADE BY "LYMAN" MIDDLEFIELD,CONN. U.S.A." stamped on the base. The receiver has the correct flat face extractor, and the frame has the has the correct magazine catch with no hole, rocker pivot with knurled edges and safety with knurled edges and center hole. The bolt is polished bright and correctly has no manufacturers codes. The actuator has a blued knob with bright body. The bronze Blish lock has the usual "UP" and arrow markings with no wartime manufacturer codes. The pilot rod is the correct Colt style with no hole in the shaft and is fitted with the original red buffer. The internal components on the trigger frame and stock are bright. The serial number, "NO 10024" is roll-stamped on the left side of the receiver and on bottom of the frame. The Auto-Ordnance 'bullet' trademark is stamped on the top of the receiver between the actuator slot and the rear sight. The left side of the receiver is lightly stamped: "U.S. NAVY" above "MODEL OF 1928" with "8" hand-stamped over the original "1". "THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN/CALIBRE .45 AUTOMATIC COLT CARTRIDGE/MANUFACTURED BY/COLT'S PATENT FIREARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN., U.S.A." is roll-stamped on the left side of the receiver in five lines below the rear sight. The right side of the receiver is roll-stamped: "AUTO ORDNANCE CORPORATION./NEW YORK. U.S.A." in two lines below the rear sight followed by the "MARCH 9, 1915- DECEMBER 28, 1920" patent dates in a six-line block. The left side of the frame is stamped with the second style "FIRE-SAFE", "FULL/AUTO" and "SINGLE" markings above the safety and rocker pivot. The gun is complete with nearly all of the period accessories. The accessories include a black leatherette FBI style case with blue velvet lining. The inside of the case has a gold and red "MADE BY/C.O. SWETNAM/LEATHER PRODUCTS CO./317 (partially illegible) ST. KANSAS CITY MO." maker's decal. The case has a brass cleaning rod and "XX" (20 round) box magazine secured by leather straps to the top of the lid. The case contains an Auto-Ordnance 50 round "L" drum magazine with 1920 patent dates and four Colt "XX" magazines marked: "PATENTED - AUG. 24. 1920,/AUG. 24.1920-JAN.11, 1921," on the front face. The case appears to be original. The stock butt trap contains a nickel-plated oiler. Also included with the gun are: (1) WWII Crosby "L" drum with mint "U.S." marked case and carrying strap, (2) a 1940 Edition Auto-Ordnance handbook, (3) Auto-Ordnance 1936 handbooks entitled "THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUNS & SEMI-AUTOMATIC CARBINE with tan and green covers, (4) a gold plated District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Lieutenant's badge, (5) a new, reproduction Auto-Ordnance 100 round "C" drum and (6) a VCR tape entitled "THE THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN". The Thompson Submachine Gun is one of the most famous and iconic American firearms. It is indelibly associated with gangsters and lawmen in the 1920s and 1930s, the Marines in the "Banana Wars" and Chinese and British Commandos during WWII. Although several variations of the Thompson Submachine Gun were manufactured by Auto-Ordnance and Savage during WWII, only the 15,000 Thompson's manufactured for Auto-Ordnance by Colt in 1921 had the combination of commercial blue finish and high quality walnut stocks, pistol grips and fore-grips. The Colt/Auto-Ordnance Thompson Submachine Guns are the ultimate Class III firearm. This submachine gun has all the applicable BATF Form 4 registration and tax stamps.

Very good. This gun retains nearly 90% of the Colt commercial blue finish. The top of the Cutts Compensator and the edges of the receiver and frame have light-moderate finish wear. The sides and top of the receiver have scattered light scratches and handling marks. All of the markings are crisp. The fore-grip is in very good-excellent condition. The pistol grip and stock are in very good overall condition with scattered minor handling and storage marks. There is a small plastic wood repair on the right side of the stock ahead of the comb. The buttplate shows use and has a brown patina with bright edges. The finish wear is consistent with a law enforcement gun that saw occasional use. The gun appears to be in excellent mechanical condition. The scarce and desirable Swetnam FBI case is in very fine to excellent condition. The cleaning rod appears to be original, and the four early XX magazines retain most of the original blue finish. The "L" drum has been re-parkerized and has several spots of pitting beneath the finish. The Crosby L drum is in fair condition with about 30% of the finish remaining. The original canvas drum case is in perfect condition. This is a very good example of a scarce and highly desirable Colt/Auto-Ordnance Model 28AC, Navy Over-Stamp, Thompson Submachine Gun with scarce FBI case and many hard to find period accessories. This is a great example of the iconic Thompson Submachine Gun. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), Fully Automatic Weapon that is currently registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATF&E) that has been 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 478.