With production being terminated in February of 1944, which finished off the last of the remaining 4,000+ M1A1 Thompson from the contract; and one of the highest serial numbers recorded being in the 874,xxx it is most likely early(ish) 1943. There was never any documentation like on M1 Garands to actually tell exactly the year or month.
Getting ready to drop some folding paper on an M1. I've read all I can find on the model, specifically as it relates to serial numbers. The gun in question is in the 508000 range. It's a "late production" judging by the protected rear sight assembly, but has pin levers and a crossbolt stock. I have yet to see any other M1's this high in the range. ATII shows one in the 244000 range. By a staggering coincidence, I also see an M1A1 in the 508000 range. I am sure most of you saw the pics in my other post.
Thompson M1a1 Serial Number Database
Download File: https://tinurll.com/2vEHTz
In my opinion, that is not a millitary parkerizing. I would suspect any light markings were buffed out by whoever parkerized the gun post WWII. I also don't believe that the M1 Thomspon was pulled from the line for police sales during WWII. I believe they all went to the military or overseas as aid to our allies. There were plenty of 1928 Models left over at the end of the war for civillian sales, i.e., the AO guns that have the X after the serial number and the US and 1 ground off. These were late war and post war sales. I would guess the M1 didn't start seeing police sales until they began to reimport them in the 1950's.
I have a friend that just purchased a military parkerized M1 Thompson in the 200,000 serial number range that was rebuilt at the end of the war or post war as the grip frame number does not match the receiver number. The gun was purchased in 1964 from a Virginia based importer and sold directly to the Illinois police agency that has owned it since then. The gun has all early features, paddle selectors, unprotected rear sight, etc. It does have the reinforced butt stock, but that would be common with a military rebuild.
If the "S" is still visible behind the grip mount, then I imagine the "GEG" stamp would also have survived buffing. Maybe GEG missed this one just as "JHB" missed many high serial number Colt TSMG.
All M1 and M1A1 TSMGs in US possession were arsenal refinished, during or shortly after WWII. The ones that were not arsenal refinished were not in US government possession, that is, domestic police guns, or those that were provided as foreign military assistance. These guns, unmodified, are the ones that we see today with early features, original blued finishes, and matching serial numbers.
Shipment was received October 23rd by Peter Von Frantzius Sporting Goods of 608 Diversey Parkway, Chicago, Illinois, a noted Sporting Goods dealer in the area. On October 23rd, a "dummy" box was shipped by Railway Express to one Victor Thompson (aka Frank V. Thompson), of Fox Hotel, 100 Douglas Avenue, Elgin, Illinois. This entry in the ledger would account for the destination of the three guns. As agreed the serial numbers were filed off by gunsmith Valentine Guch at a cost of two dollars for each gun.
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