One of the most famous submachine guns in the world, the Thompson SMG rates as one of the truly signature American weapons. While advancements in manufacturing techniques and materials would allow later designs to match or exceed the Thompson's performance, none of them have managed to do the job with the same level of style and craftsmanship. The Thompson, a product of old-school hand craftsmanship, is virtually synonymous with the Roaring 20s and the Great Depression, being found on both sides of the law during the "gangland" era of American history, and also serving on all Allied fronts of World War II, where it stood tall among its more cost-effective stamped steel substitutes. The records in Herigstad's "Colt Thompson Submachine Gun" (page 792) show this 1921 as having been shipped in "1921AC" configuration as a single item to the Police Department of Mattoon, Illinois, on March 22, 1930. Located in Eastern Illinois, Mattoon was the location of a mild oil boom in the 1940s, along with the unsolved "Mad Gasser" incident of 1944, where it was believed a criminal armed with anesthetic gas was attempting to break into occupied homes; a gas-armed crook was never caught, and theories include mass hysteria or supernatural/alien interference. Blade front sight on the unmarked Cutts compensator and folding Lyman rear sights, standard 1921 nomenclature and markings on the receiver, with the matching numbered trigger housing fitted with knurled control surfaces and proper "FULL/AUTO"/"SINGLE" and "FIRE"/"SAFE" switch configuration. Internals are proper 1921 pattern, with Blish lock mechanism, heavyweight recoil spring, and spring steel oiler. With dual pistol grips and a quick detach buttstock with a small "anchor" stamp on the front. Included with the lot are four 20-round stick magazines, a Type "L" 50-round drum, unmarked transport case, cleaning rod and a print off of an unnamed group of police officers in a picture frame. Provenance: The Mattoon, Illinois Police Department; Law Enforcement Ordnance Co.; Property of a Gentleman