Colt Thompson Model of 1921 Salesman Sample .45 ACP Submachine Gun 1921-22
SOLD FOR: $4,137.24
LSB#: WY250418ML039
Make: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
Model: Thompson Submachine Gun, Model of 1921
Serial Number: 8946
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1921–1922
Caliber: .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol)
Action Type: Factory Non-Functional Display (Salesman Sample, Non-Gun)
Markings:
The left side of the receiver is marked “MODEL OF 1921 / NO. 8946”. The right side of the receiver is marked “THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN, / CALIBRE .45 AUTOMATIC COLT CARTRIDGE / MANUFACTURED BY / COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the trigger housing is marked with selector positions “FULL AUTO / SINGLE” and “FIRE / SAFE”. The right side of the receiver bears patent dates from March 9, 1915 to December 28, 1920, and is marked “AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION, NEW YORK, U.S.A.” with the Auto-Ordnance logo in a circle. The rear sight is marked “LYMAN” and “MIDDLETOWN, CONN. U.S.A.”.
Barrel Length: 10” barrel plus Cutts compensator
Sights / Optics:
The front sight is a blade integral to the Cutts compensator. The rear sight is a Lyman-marked folding ladder sight adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition:
The rifle features a horizontal walnut forend, a pistol grip, and a fixed walnut buttstock with trap. The wood is in Very Good condition with minor scattered handling marks, small dings, and a clean overall presentation. The wood retains a deep reddish tone with tight fitment to the metal.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition:
This example has no bore or bolt group, as it was manufactured as a non-functional sample for demonstration purposes only.
Overall Condition:
This Thompson Model 1921 is in Very Good to Fine condition as a factory display piece. 90%-95% Finish Retained. The receiver and barrel group retain strong bluing with only minor edge wear and operational scuffing on controls. The markings are crisp and deep, consistent with early Colt production. The serial number appears in multiple locations and is properly struck. The internals are incomplete, with significant material removed from the receiver to prevent the function or assembly of a bolt and related parts. Despite these modifications, all controls are present and functional for demonstration use.
Mechanics:
This firearm is a non-functional display model or “salesman sample.” The bolt is absent, and the receiver has been machined to prevent the installation of any operating components. The selector and trigger articulate, but do not engage any internal action. This was done at the factory or shortly thereafter to create a demonstration sample that could be safely transported and handled without NFA restrictions at the time. As with all vintage firearm displays, a thorough inspection is encouraged prior to public display or interpretation.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Sling
Our Assessment:
This Colt-manufactured Thompson Model of 1921 is one of the earliest commercial submachine guns produced in America—and one of the most iconic firearms of the 20th century. Originally intended for trench warfare in World War I, the Thompson quickly gained notoriety in the hands of law enforcement, federal agents, and notorious criminals throughout the Prohibition era. With fewer than 15,000 units produced by Colt for Auto-Ordnance between 1921 and 1922, these early Thompsons are among the most coveted pieces in American firearms history.
What sets this example apart is its configuration as a non-functional salesman demonstrator, not a “dealer sample.” This early display model was likely produced during Auto-Ordnance’s 1920s– 1930s sales campaigns to promote the Thompson to police departments nationwide. It bears genuine Colt rollmarks and furniture, yet the receiver has been machined to prevent operation and lacks a bolt group. Despite its inert construction, it retains realistic controls, correct balance, and full-scale handling. These dummy guns were often carried in presentation trunks or wooden crates by company reps to give law enforcement agencies a hands-on introduction to the “submachine gun” concept. There is a strong historical precedent for these factory-made sales tools, and they are far rarer than transferable or NFA-registered Thompsons.
Whether you’re a student of early 20th-century firearms innovation or a serious collector of Auto-Ordnance history, this piece offers a tangible link to the marketing legacy of the Thompson. It’s a true rarity: a Colt-marked 1921 that was never built to fire, never registered under the NFA, and yet preserves all the mystique and heft of the gun that made headlines. Ideal for museum or private display, this demonstrator brings with it not only the appearance but the historical intent of one of America’s most legendary firearms. So bid high and bid firm. I highly recommend that you review the item’s condition using our high-quality photos. Good luck with your bid. -K.F.
