M1921 Thompson SMG (Fully Transferable)
Fully transferable, original Colt-manufactured Thompson Submachine Gun, Model 1921. First month of production at Colt.
- Brand: Colt-Thompson
- SKU: TSMG-M1921
- Shipping:
- Return Policy: We want you to be satisfied with your purchase. If you need to return merchandise within the first 14 days of delivery please follow the steps outlined below. Returns after 14 days will not be accepted. **Please note that firearm purchases that are accepted from the transferring FFL are considered used firearms and returns will NOT be guaranteed. Inspect it BEFORE accepting the transfer. All sales are final on special orders, products sold "as is" or "used" or that have been installed or used after receipt. **NFA items, custom firearms, electronic sights and optics, ammunition. Unless received defective, these items are not returnable or refundable. Call us at 804-869-8960 or send your request for a return to freedomforgearmory@comcast.net to obtain authorization. No returns of merchandise will be accepted without prior authorization. All returns on orders paid by a credit card will receive a credit to the card used on the purchase (or store credit at our discretion) once confirmation of receipt of merchandise has been made and inspection has been completed. Depending on your financial institution, refunds are credited between 3 to 5 business days after issuance. All cancelled orders that paid with a money order or cashier's check will have the refund issued as store credit. To qualify for a refund on an item that is not defective, all returned merchandise must include the following: The merchandise must be in the original packaging. The merchandise must be unused. Products showing use will not be refunded or exchanged. Include the following in package: A copy of your original invoice and packing slip The reason for your returned merchandise. All return merchandise shipments must be pre-paid, no COD. You must send your returned merchandise using either UPS, FedEx, or USPS according to their restrictions and provide us with tracking information. You must obtain a Return Authorization PRIOR to returning the item by contacting Freedom Forge Armory LLC at 804-869-8960 or freedomforgearmory@comcast.net. Please ship your returned item to: Freedom Forge Armory LLC Attn: Returns. 7400 Brandy Creek Dr. Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Upon receiving your package, and verification of the item is made, you will receive an e-mail with the status. This process can take up to a few weeks from start to finish. Please Note: You will be responsible for covering the Shipping Fee on returned merchandise that is not-defective. A 20% Restocking Fee will apply to any returned merchandise. Firearms that are not defective and in the possession of your FFL will have a 20% Restocking Fee AND a shipping charge deducted from your refund. Any variance to this policy may result in no refund or a partial refund.
Learn More
This is one of the earliest Colt guns to leave Hartford, built during the original 1921 Colt contract run of 15,000 guns for Auto-Ordnance Serial number 23X. Serial numbers under 500 are scarce and highly desirable among collectors due to their historical significance and early production features.
This M1921 comes from a historically significant group of early Colt Thompsons that were returned directly to the New York bank that financed Auto-Ordnance’s 1921 production run. During the early commercial sales period, Auto-Ordnance struggled financially and was unable to repay the bank loan used to fund the first batch of 15,000 Model 1921s. As collateral repayment, a small number of unsold early-production Thompsons — including this example — were surrendered back to the bank.
These early “bank-returned” Colts are well-known among advanced Thompson collectors and represent some of the earliest surviving Model 1921s in private hands. This M1921 (SN 23X) is a first-month production gun with direct ties to the financial history of the Thompson Submachine Gun and early Auto-Ordnance operations.
At some point in its service life, the original Colt M1921 bolt/actuator group was replaced with a Model 1928 bolt group to reduce the rate of fire. This was a very common period upgrade performed by Auto-Ordnance, commercial armorers, and police departments to improve controllability and reduce wear on early 1921s. The gun currently runs reliably with the 1928 pattern internals installed.
Condition
- Classified as good condition
- Original Colt receiver and frame, matching where applicable
- Clean lines, correct Colt rollmarks, and proper internal components
- No rewelds, no tube gun parts, no West Hurley components
- Standard wear consistent with a century-old Colt SMG
- Runs and cycles properly
- Stored professionally in climate-controlled secure vault
More detailed photos available upon request, including:
- Receiver markings
- Serial numbers
- Internal components
- Bolt and actuator
- Cutts compensator (if present)
- Rear sight area
- Lower frame
- Stock and wood furniture
Transfer Status
This firearm is fully transferable on a Form 3 or Form 4:
✔ Dealer-to-dealer (Form 3):
- Tax-free transfer
- Extremely fast approval (3–7 days)
- Ideal for out-of-state buyers or collectors working with a local SOT
- Buyer pays shipping and insurance costs
✔ Individual transfer (Form 4):
- Standard NFA process
- I will assist with buyer paperwork if needed
- Firearm remains secured in my vault until ATF approval
Payment Details:
Payment with Certified Funds is expected. Payment due within ten business days of purchase.