U.S., WW2-c.1941, Auto-Ordnance Model 1928A1 Thompson Submachine Gun, Serial No. A.O.43457, Lyman Sight, Finned Barrel & Cutts Compensator, 50-Round Drum, 20- and 30-Round Magazines & Spare Horizontal Foregrip, Pre-EU UK Deactivated

*U.S., WW2-c.1941, Auto-Ordnance Model 1928A1 Thompson Submachine Gun, Serial No. A.O.43457, Lyman Sight, Finned Barrel & Cutts Compensator, 50-Round Drum, 20- and 30-Round Magazines & Spare Horizontal Foregrip, Pre-EU UK Deactivated*

- Genuine Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport wartime production
- Early 1941 U.S. military manufacture
- U.S. Model 1928A1, Serial No. A.O.43457, Serial No. A.O.43457 repeated underneath removable buttstock
- Original U.S. Army W.B. inspection mark and Ordnance crossed-cannon acceptance stamp
- Correct Lyman adjustable rear sight
- Original finned barrel with early Thompson-marked Cutts Compensator
- Original walnut furniture, including matching vertical foregrip and pistol grip and the detachable buttstock
- Buttstock retains original oil bottle
- One 50-round reproduction display drum magazine
- Two original WWII box magazines
- One spare horizontal walnut foregrip complete with grip mount
- Birmingham Proof House pre-EU deactivation certificate dated 13 March 2003

An excellent original Auto-Ordnance Corporation Model 1928A1 Thompson Submachine Gun, manufactured at Bridgeport, Connecticut, during early 1941 and retaining many of the classic features that make the early wartime Thompsons amongst the most desirable variants produced.

The receiver is crisply roll-marked "U.S. MODEL 1928 A1", serial numbered A.O.43457, and carries the correct Auto-Ordnance Corporation, Bridgeport, Connecticut address together with the complete U.S. patent block. Particularly attractive are the original U.S. military acceptance markings, comprising the "W.B." inspection stamp of Colonel Waldemar S. Broberg above the U.S. Army Ordnance crossed-cannon wheel, confirming official wartime military acceptance.

This example retains its correct Lyman adjustable rear sight, complete with the desirable internal "MADE BY LYMAN MIDDLEFIELD, CONN. U.S.A." marking, together with the original finned barrel and early Thompson-marked Cutts Compensator, which remains crisply roll-marked with the Thompson bullet trademark, Cutts diamond logo and Auto-Ordnance patent markings.

The original walnut furniture consists of the detachable buttstock, pistol grip and vertical foregrip, all displaying attractive military character and honest service wear. The buttstock retains its oil bottle, housed within the original butt trap. The tool displays honest surface corrosion consistent with age and military service.

Supplied with an original WWII Auto-Ordnance 20-round box magazine, crisply marked "AUTO-ORDNANCE CORP., BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF.", together with an original WWII Seymour Products Co. 30-round box magazine marked "THE SEYMOUR PRODUCTS CO., SEYMOUR, CONN.". Also included is a reproduction 50-round drum magazine for display, plus an original spare horizontal walnut foregrip complete with its steel mounting bar, allowing the Thompson to be displayed in either its distinctive early vertical-foregrip configuration or the later military horizontal-foregrip arrangement. The spare foregrip appears to carry a small "S" inspection/manufacturer's stamp, consistent with Savage production.

Approximate Measurements: Overall Length: 86 cm (34 in.). Barrel Length: 27 cm (certificate). Calibre: .45 ACP (.45 Automatic)

History Note:
Designed by General John T. Thompson, the Thompson Submachine Gun became one of the most recognisable Allied firearms of the Second World War. The Model 1928A1 represented the principal early wartime military variant, retaining the distinctive finned barrel, Cutts Compensator and Lyman adjustable rear sight before wartime production was simplified with the introduction of the M1 series.

Serial number A.O.43457 identifies this as an early Auto-Ordnance Corporation production gun manufactured at the company's Bridgeport, Connecticut factory during late 1941. The A.O. serial prefix confirms manufacture by Auto-Ordnance rather than Savage Arms, while the crisp "W.B." inspection stamp of Colonel Waldemar S. Broberg, Chief Inspector of Ordnance for the Springfield Ordnance District, together with the U.S. Army crossed-cannon Ordnance acceptance mark, confirms official U.S. military acceptance during the 1941–1942 inspection period. These features firmly place the gun amongst the earliest Bridgeport-produced Thompsons accepted into wartime U.S. service.

Following U.S. military acceptance, early Auto-Ordnance Thompsons saw widespread service with U.S. and Allied forces throughout the Second World War.  Early Bridgeport-produced 1928A1 Thompsons retaining their original Lyman rear sight, finned barrel, Thompson-marked Cutts Compensator and U.S. military acceptance marks remain amongst the most sought-after variants of the wartime Thompson family.

*Condition*
Presented in very good overall condition with honest military service wear throughout. The original finish has aged attractively, displaying expected handling marks and light edge wear, while all principal receiver markings remain sharp and clearly legible. The original Lyman rear sight, finned barrel and Thompson-marked Cutts Compensator are particularly well preserved, retaining crisp roll-stamped markings. The original walnut buttstock, pistol grip and vertical foregrip remain in very good order with an attractive colour and only minor service marks consistent with military use. The detachable buttstock retains its original oil bottle within the butt trap, the latter displaying expected surface corrosion. Accompanying accessories comprise an original WWII Auto-Ordnance 20-round magazine, an original WWII Seymour 30-round magazine, an original spare horizontal walnut foregrip with its steel mounting bar, and a modern reproduction 50-round drum magazine for display. The slide is fixed in accordance with its deactivated status and does not move.

Deactivation:
Deactivated to UK specification and accompanied by its original Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Deactivation Certificate (CG33633) dated 13 March 2003. The certificate records the firearm as a Thompson 1928A1 Sub Machine Gun, serial number A.O.43457, chambered in .45 calibre, with a 27 cm barrel, manufactured in the USA and submitted by Delta Arms U.K. Ltd. The drum magazine and detachable buttstock remove correctly for display. The selector levers and trigger remain movable; however, the bolt is fixed and does not retract, in accordance with its deactivated specification.

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