COLT MODEL 1921 THOMPSON
SUBMACHINE GUN
THE ASSET
Serial No. 609 is a verified survivor of the clandestine P.J. Gentry Shipment (25 May 1921). A Tier-1 historical asset, this weapon documents the hidden history of the Irish War of Independence. Unlike the bulk shipment seized on the S.S. East Side in New Jersey, Serial No. 609 successfully evaded the US Customs dragnet, vanishing into the IRA underground to serve in silence until its recovery from the famous County Mayo Deep Hide in 1942.
THE INVESTMENT PROPOSITION
This is not merely a firearm; it is a tangible piece of revolutionary history with an unbroken, documented chain of custody spanning over a century. From the streets of New York to the hills of Ireland, and finally to a private investment collection, Serial 609 represents the pinnacle of the “Irish Sword” lineage.
THE TURNKEY COLLECTION
Serial No. 609 is presented in a bespoke ‘Violin-style’ transit vessel, custom-blocked to display the complete ‘Heavy Firepower’ loadout. This is a curator-grade asset, inclusive of rare WWII-era drums, maintenance tools, and a suite of original magazines.
THE SMUGGLER’S RUN
While history books focus on the failed East Side seizure of June 1921, the P.J. Gentry Shipment of May 1921 was the operation that succeeded. Acting on orders from IRA procurement chief George Rorke, Gentry secured 51 sub- machine guns and “disappeared” them into the freight network before Federal agents could close the net.
THE CLOONLYON CACHE
After the Civil War, the Anti-Treaty IRA did not surrender their most potent weapons. Instead, they waterproofed them in heavy grease and buried them in earthen bunkers. Serial 609 slept in the clay of County Mayo for two decades. Its recovery in 1942 (pictured) wasn’t just a police raid; it was an archaeological event.
“FORENSIC EVIDENCE: The dark patina and scattered pitting found on Serial 609 are the signature of its 21-year con- finement in the damp earth of the Mayo Hide. This ‘Honest Patina’ validates its status as a true resistance survivor.”
FACTORY ORIGINALITY: THE REMINGTON ANCHOR
In a market flooded with parts-kit assemblies, Serial 609 retains its critical factory DNA. The American Black Walnut buttstock bears the faint but verified “Anchor” Proof Mark on the nose. This confirms the wood is not a later military replacement but the original furniture manufactured by Remington Arms under subcontract for the 1921 Colt produc- tion run.
ANATOMY OF RESISTANCE
The receiver of Serial 609 is a masterclass in early 20th-century
machining, preserved under the “Honest Patina” of its service life.
THE BLISH LOCK: Milled receiver slots confirm the original
delayed-blowback friction system.
THE PATENT BLOCK: Bearing the definitive block of twelve patent dates
ending in “Aug 24, 1920”.
INSPECTOR’S MARK: The “JHB” stamp verifies it passed Hartford factory
quality control before export.
THE VETERAN: 50-ROUND “L” DRUM SUB-HEAD: A DOCUMENT OF THE EMERGENCY (c. 1940–1944)
THE INDUSTRIAL MOBILISATION
While the firearm itself is a masterpiece of 1920s commercial
craftsmanship, the accompanying drum represents the brute industrial
capacity of World War II. Identified as a Seymour Products manufacture
(produced in Seymour, Connecticut), this drum bears the iconic
“Auto-Ordnance Corp. Bridgeport, Connecticut” faceplate address.
THE “BRIDGEPORT” CONNECTION
During the massive expansion of Thompson production for the Allied war
effort, Auto-Ordnance subcontracted key components to specialized stamping
firms. The Seymour drum is widely regarded by collectors as one of the
most robust and reliable variants produced during the conflict. Its
inclusion in this collection creates a bridge between two eras: the
“Gangland” days of the 1921 production and the “Total War” footing of the
1940s
SERVICE LIFE PROVENANCE
The presence of a WWII-period drum with an original 1921 IRA gun is
historically significant. It suggests the weapon remained in the
logistical loop long after its initial smuggling run. When this gun was
recovered from the Mayo cache in 1942, it was not a forgotten relic; it
was an operational asset, re-equipped with modern magazines for the
defense of the state during the Irish “Emergency.”
TECHNICAL DATA:
Model: Type “L” (50-Round Capacity).
Manufacturer: The Seymour Products Co.
(Code: S-CO / Seymour).
Markings: “WIND TO 9 CLICKS” / Bridgeport
Address.
Status: Genuine Wartime Production (Not a
modern reproduction).
EAVY FIREPOWER II: THE DISPLAY SUB-HEAD: 100-ROUND “C” DRUM (REPRODUCTION)
THE “LOST” FIREPOWER
To showcase the ultimate “Roaring Twenties” profile, the collection includes a high-fidelity 100-Round “C” Drum by Kahr Arms / Auto-Ordnance.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
While the IRA ordered massive quantities of C-Drums in 1921, the majority
were loaded onto the ill-fated S.S. East Side and seized by US Customs in
Hoboken on June 15, 1921. The successful P.J. Gentry shipment (which
delivered Serial 609) prioritized the lighter, concealable stick magazines
for guerrilla operations. As such, original “Irish” C-Drums are virtually
non-existent.
This functional display unit allows the investor to present the weapon in
its intended “Heavy Assault” configuration, representing the firepower
that was sought by IRA GHQ but lost on the New York docks.
THE MAGAZINE CONSORTIUM
A curated selection of five rare, original WWII-production magazines:
1x 20-Round Auto-Ordnance (Bridgeport) “Bullet Logo” Magazine.
3x 30-Round Seymour Products (S-CO) Combat Magazines.
1x 30-Round United Specialties (U-CO) “U-Marked” Magazine.
Maintenance: Includes the correct Black Crinkle Oiler (US Navy Issue) and
Brass Cleaning Rod.
FROM MAYO TO THE MODERN ERA
The provenance of Serial 609 did not end with its recovery in 1942.
| THE RELEASE (c. 1980s) | : |
De-accessioned from Irish military service and sold via Weller & Dufty
(Birmingham). |
| THE NEW ZEALAND CONNECTION | : |
Imported by Rod Woods, a well know collector. “ and “1983–Imported to
NEW ZEALAND, by Rod Woods, Current Owner Auckland Private Collector
“ |
| THE NEW ZEALAND CONNECTION | : | Held in a private investment collection since 1983, preserving the “Hon- est Patina” earned during its years in the Irish underground. |
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Mfg. Co.
(Hartford, CT)
Model: 1921 (Commercial)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Operation: Delayed Blowback (Blish Lock)
Barrel: 10.5 inches (267mm), 6-groove rifling
Finish: Original “Colt Royal Blue” (Patinated)
Registry: NZ C-Cat / P-Cat Compliant
THE TEXTURE OF HISTORY
