Unlike the 1928 Thompsons, the manufacturer’s initials, AO or S, were not used as a serial number prefix on the M1 or M1A1. To identify who made a particular M1 or M1A1 Thompson, the manufacturer stamped their code letters on the bottom of the receiver where the front grip mount is fitted.
- It is a standard configured Savage M1A1 Thompson Submachine Gun but was specially finished as a presentation piece. The serial number ('850004') indicates that it was the fourth M1A1 Thompson manufactured by Savage. The left side of the receiver is roll-stamped “THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN/CALIBER.45 M1A1/NO. 850004' below the rear sight.
- Im a big WWII buff so I didnt mind paying the extra $200 ATF fee + $250 for barrel and gunsmith charge to have one of the 16' barrels replaced with a 10'. I lucked out and found a Thompson at the local gunshop that was NIB for only $700. While doing research to find a place that would convert/register the SBR Thompson.
| This first model did indeed sellout with the largest customer being the US Post Office and police departments, despite an extremely high price for the day. The Thompson Submachine Gun was priced at $200, and the high price was due to the quality of the machined parts and wood furniture. This was called the Model 1921 and about 15000 were produced by Colt for Auto-Ordinance. The Cutts Compensator was offered as an option for the M1921 version of the Tommy Gun in 1926. | |
Although originally designed and intended for World War I, the Thompson Submachine Gun had not enjoyed widespread use until 1928, with the Model 1928, which was purchased by the US Armed forces in larger numbers for years. In the 20's and 30, Prohibition and Depression era gangsters had used Thompson Submachine Guns to carry out the wishes of their organized crime bosses. With the increased awareness and the use of the Tommy Gun in Al Capone's Saint Valentines Day Massacre, Congress was motivated to pass the National Firearms Act of 1934, which severely restricted the possession, transfer and transportation of any automatic firearm by any civilian. Since then, the Tommy Gun has been produced in semi-automatic version for Civilian consumption. For the Worlds Militaries, the Thompson Submachine Gun has seen action in many skirmishes and wars including the Banana Wars, Irish Revolution, Irish Civil War, WW II, Korean War, Vietnam, and Bosnia plus numerous law enforcement agencies. | |
Tommy Gun Specs Weight 10.8 lb empty (M1928A1) 10.6 lb empty (M1A1) | Thompson Submachine Gun Serial Numbers Tommy Gun Serial Numbers The Thompson Gun began production at serial number 1 and the first 40 were all prototypes, making number 41 the first gun to be sold. |
Owing to the scarcity of original M1A1 carbines, here are a few essential things for collectors to look out for. It should be noted that original un-rebuilt M1A1s are very rare and the vast majority of M1A1s on the market, have either reproduction or fake stocks. Also, since the war, many will have been rebuilt with later parts.
M1A1 Serial Numbers
Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors was the only manufacturer of the M1A1 and manufactured approximately 140,000 by the close of the war. The M1A1 was manufactured in two main production runs, both of approximately 70,000. The first was produced and delivered from late 1942 through until October 1943. M1A1s produced during this run will have early production features, such as flip sights, type 1 barrel bands, high wood etc.
The second production run, started in April 1944 and finished at the end of 1944. M1A1s produced during the beginning of the second run, will have the same characteristics as the first run, but towards the end of the run, will have features typical of a late M1, such as low wood, adjustable sights and even type 3 barrel bands at the very end of the run.
There are no actual records kept for M1A1 serial numbers and so unfortunately there is no specific way to identify if an M1A1 is original from the serial number alone. Also, during an Arsenal re-fit, M1s produced by other manufacturers could be fitted to M1A1s.
In personally examining real examples both in hand and from pictures, I have noted some of the serial numbers and barrel dates used.
| First Run | |
| Dec 1942 | 123xxx |
| Dec 1942 | 142xxx |
| March 1943 | 220xxx |
| March 1943 | 260xxx |
| March /43 | 317xxx |
| June/43 | 454xxx |
| July 43 | 529xxx |
| Sept 43 | 852xxx |
| Oct 43 | 866xxx |
| Second Run | |
| 3/44 | 5,102xxx |
| 3/44 | 5,163xxx |
| 3/44 | 5,279xxx |
| 5/44 | 5,231xxx |
There are many details, but here are the main things to look at:-
Manufacturer
All originals are manufactured only by the Inland Division of General Motors.
M1A1 Stock
All original M1A1s are made of walnut. Any other wood is wrong. Also, check out the shape and angles around the cut away for the folding stock. Fake or reproduction stocks often get this wrong.
The Pistol Grip
Thompson M1a1 Serial Number Database Software
The side or back of pistol grip, should have a “P” proof mark, either circled or un-circled, indicating that the gun has been test proof fired.
The underside of the pistol grip should have a marking of OI and a crossed cannons emblem.
Thompson M1a1 Serial Number Database Query
The Stock – barrel channel
There should be an OI stamped on the inside of the barrel channel. The OI stands for Overton Inland, who were the manufacturer of the stocks.
The Butt Stock
In the butt-plate number B257614* should be cast with a logo of a sunburst in a circle completed by a drawing number between 3 and 12.
All metal on the stock should be parkarized and not blued.
The leather part of the folding stock should be of a very good quality and a dark brown, almost black colour. It is very common, to find the leather on the cheek pad missing.
Rivets used to attach the leather should be dull and not shiny. Brake lining rivets were used on re-builds, sometimes with a “7/4” marking. All original factory production were unmarked.