U.S., WW2, Auto-Ordnance M1A1 Thompson Submachine Gun, Bridgeport Production, Serial No. 437030, Seymour 30-Round Magazine, EU/UK Deactivated - 3

*U.S., WW2, Auto-Ordnance M1A1 Thompson Submachine Gun, Bridgeport Production, Serial No. 437030, Seymour 30-Round Magazine, EU/UK Deactivated*

An original Second World War Auto-Ordnance Corporation M1A1 Thompson Submachine Gun, manufactured at the company's Bridgeport, Connecticut factory during the latter part of 1943 and chambered for the legendary .45 ACP cartridge. Bearing serial number 437030, this is an authentic wartime production M1A1 retaining its correct military configuration with original walnut buttstock, pistol grip and horizontal fore-end, smooth barrel, fixed protected L-type rear sight and an original wartime Seymour 30-round box magazine.

This example was manufactured by the Auto-Ordnance Corporation at its Bridgeport, Connecticut factory. The right side of the receiver is crisply roll marked:

AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION
BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A.

while the left side is correctly stamped:

THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN
CALIBER .45 M1A1
NO. 437030

During wartime, both Auto-Ordnance and Savage Arms manufactured the M1 and M1A1 Thompson, with all receivers carrying the Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport address. On this example, the A.O.C. manufacturer's markings beneath the front grip mount and on the fixed protected rear sight positively identify it as genuine Auto-Ordnance production. Auto-Ordnance manufactured approximately 249,555 M1 and M1A1 Thompsons during the Second World War, compared with around 539,143 produced by Savage Arms, making original Auto-Ordnance examples noticeably less common.

The receiver also retains the characteristic factory-applied "A1" suffix, stamped separately above the original M1 designation. This recognised wartime manufacturing feature reflects the factory's transition from the earlier M1 to the simplified M1A1 specification following adoption of the fixed firing-pin bolt. The top of the receiver retains the correct Auto-Ordnance Thompson trademark, while the selector and safety markings remain crisp and correctly marked FULL AUTO, SINGLE, FIRE and SAFE.

The original walnut buttstock has been period carved with the initials AAP, almost certainly applied during military service or later ownership, while the remaining walnut furniture displays an attractive aged military patina. Accompanying the gun is an original wartime 30-round Seymour Products box magazine, correctly marked:

THE SEYMOUR PRODUCTS CO.
SEYMOUR, CONN.

making it an entirely correct and desirable pairing for this wartime Thompson.

Approximate Measurements: Overall Length: Approximately 32 inches (81 cm). Barrel Length: 11 inches (28 cm). Calibre: .45 ACP. Original Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds

History Note:
Developed by General John T. Thompson following the First World War, the Thompson Submachine Gun became one of the most recognisable military firearms of the twentieth century. Nicknamed the "Tommy Gun", it became synonymous with American and Allied forces during the Second World War, serving with infantry, airborne troops, Rangers, Marines, armoured vehicle crews and numerous specialist units across every major theatre of the conflict.

To meet wartime production demands, the original Model 1928A1 was progressively simplified into the M1 and, following its official adoption in October 1942, the improved M1A1. The new model eliminated the Blish locking system and incorporated a fixed firing pin machined directly into the bolt, reducing manufacturing time and manufacturing costs while maintaining the Thompson's renowned reliability and formidable .45 ACP stopping power. Although officially superseded by the M3 "Grease Gun", Thompson production continued until early 1944, with the final M1A1s leaving the production lines shortly before manufacture ceased.

Serial number 437030 places this example amongst the final months of Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport production during late 1943. The trigger frame is assembly numbered 204473, differing from the receiver serial number. Such mismatched upper and lower assemblies are frequently encountered on service Thompsons, as trigger frames were designed to be fully interchangeable and were routinely exchanged by military armourers during wartime repair and later ordnance refurbishment. Rather than detracting from its originality, this is entirely consistent with the service history expected of a military-issued Thompson.

*Condition*
Presented in very good original military condition throughout with honest wartime service wear. The original parkerised finish remains substantially intact, displaying natural thinning and silvering to the receiver edges, ejection port, magazine well, sight protector wings and other high points, together with light scratches and handling marks accumulated during military service and subsequent storage.

The original walnut buttstock, pistol grip and horizontal fore-end retain a rich oil-darkened military patina with minor bruising and handling marks commensurate with age. The buttstock bears the period-carved initials AAP, while the original steel buttplate remains correctly fitted.

All principal markings remain sharp and legible, including the Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport address, Thompson model designation, serial number 437030, Thompson trademark, A.O.C. sight and manufacturer markings, selector legends and Seymour magazine markings.

The trigger frame is numbered 204473 and bears the correct A.O.C. manufacturer's mark together with a small S inspection stamp. The bolt retracts and the trigger moves freely but it does not cock or dry fire, while the magazine inserts and removes correctly. In accordance with its current EU specification deactivation. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition report.

Deactivation Details:
Deactivated to current EU/UK specification and accompanied by its original Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Deactivation Certificate, certificate number 176741, dated 26 April 2023. The certificate records the firearm as an Auto Ordnance Sub Machine Gun, calibre .45, serial number 437030, with an 11-inch barrel, country of origin U.S.A., and confirms the deactivation was carried out by D & B Militaria. Matching Birmingham Proof House inspection marks, including the crossed swords proof and EU/GB compliance stamps, are correctly applied adjacent to the serial number on the receiver. As expected for a current EU specification deactivation, the Thompson no longer retains the full operational handling characteristics of earlier UK "Old Specification" examples but remains an impressive and historically significant display piece.

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