Thompson simi-auto

Gbro · April 18, 2009, 07:49 PM

I got to look through a collection of guns donated to the Shooting CENTER that included a semi-auto Thompson.
I do not see a listing in my blue book for this carbine. It IS in 98% condition (IMO) and included 2 box (stick) magazines. Any est. on value?

The old Gentleman donated his collection before entering a nursing home.

fal308 · April 18, 2009, 08:09 PM

Is it one of the new Thompsons? There were some original semi-auto Thompsons made also.
There are several good books on the Thompson if you wish to add to your library. One of the most thorough IMHO is "American Thunder" books by Frank Iannamico, though these are basically on the military Thompsons. Also Thompson - The American Legend: First Submachine Gun by Tracie L Hill and William J. Helmer is an excellent read. Beware both books are now rather expensive though.
There are several websites dedicated to the Thompson where you may want to ask also Search for the thompson Collectors Associaton.

Gbro · April 19, 2009, 07:52 AM

fal308,

Quote:

There were some original semi-auto Thompsons made also.

Yes it is an original semi-auto, not one of the modern day production's
There is no mention of it in my 7th edition of military small arms by Hogg & Weeks.

Bill DeShivs · April 19, 2009, 01:42 PM

IF it is an original 1927 Thompson Semi, and IF it was properly registered before 1968 (they are still NFA weapons) then it is worth an awful lot of money. Upwards of $30K in 98% condition.
If not registered, then it is illegal.

brian45auto · April 19, 2009, 05:55 PM

more than 30K.
not many made. not many stayed semi only, not many made it through '68.
an original, unmolested 1927 would be worth some serious bank. even a converted '27 would be worth some serious coin.

Gbro · April 19, 2009, 09:17 PM

Thanks for the info. good thing its locked in a gun vault.
It is state property at this time.

James K · April 20, 2009, 03:06 PM

Try to contact the donor and find if it is registered, or check with BATFE. If it is an original Model 1927 and is not registered, it would be contraband in private hands, and could not be sold or made legal. If it is now state property, it can be registered (talk to BATFE about a Form 10) and placed in a state museum.

If it is registered, I expect you can have it legally transferred and then it can be sold if you choose to go that route. My "guesstimate" of value would run around or close to $100,000.

The reason so little info is available is that the Model 1927 was not a military weapon and so few were made. They were all converted from the Model 1921 by milling out the original markings and changing some parts. Since they fire from an open bolt and are easily converted back to full auto weapons, they are considered machineguns by the BATFE.

Jim

April 18, 2009, 07:49 PM	#1
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,084	Thompson simi-auto I got to look through a collection of guns donated to the Shooting CENTER that included a semi-auto Thompson. I do not see a listing in my blue book for this carbine. It IS in 98% condition (IMO) and included 2 box (stick) magazines. Any est. on value? The old Gentleman donated his collection before entering a nursing home. __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18 Last edited by Gbro; April 20, 2009 at 01:46 PM.

April 19, 2009, 01:42 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	IF it is an original 1927 Thompson Semi, and IF it was properly registered before 1968 (they are still NFA weapons) then it is worth an awful lot of money. Upwards of $30K in 98% condition. If not registered, then it is illegal. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

April 19, 2009, 09:17 PM	#6
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,084	Thanks for the info. good thing its locked in a gun vault. It is state property at this time. __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18 Last edited by Gbro; April 20, 2009 at 01:44 PM.

April 18, 2009, 08:09 PM	#2
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,992	Is it one of the new Thompsons? There were some original semi-auto Thompsons made also. There are several good books on the Thompson if you wish to add to your library. One of the most thorough IMHO is "American Thunder" books by Frank Iannamico, though these are basically on the military Thompsons. Also Thompson - The American Legend: First Submachine Gun by Tracie L Hill and William J. Helmer is an excellent read. Beware both books are now rather expensive though. There are several websites dedicated to the Thompson where you may want to ask also Search for the thompson Collectors Associaton.

April 19, 2009, 05:55 PM	#5
brian45auto Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2009 Location: eastern pa Posts: 499	more than 30K. not many made. not many stayed semi only, not many made it through '68. an original, unmolested 1927 would be worth some serious bank. even a converted '27 would be worth some serious coin.

April 20, 2009, 03:06 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Try to contact the donor and find if it is registered, or check with BATFE. If it is an original Model 1927 and is not registered, it would be contraband in private hands, and could not be sold or made legal. If it is now state property, it can be registered (talk to BATFE about a Form 10) and placed in a state museum. If it is registered, I expect you can have it legally transferred and then it can be sold if you choose to go that route. My "guesstimate" of value would run around or close to $100,000. The reason so little info is available is that the Model 1927 was not a military weapon and so few were made. They were all converted from the Model 1921 by milling out the original markings and changing some parts. Since they fire from an open bolt and are easily converted back to full auto weapons, they are considered machineguns by the BATFE. Jim