TYPE C CENTURION DRUM | Prop Weaponry | Blank Ammunition

MODEL : Type "C" 100-Round Drum
SERIAL NO: 315 (Matching Lid & Body)
MANUFACTURER : Auto-Ordnance Corp (John's Machine Contract)
DATE OF ORIGIN : Circa 1921
CALIBRE : .45 ACP
CAPACITY: 100 Rounds
FINISH: Dull Matte Blue (Period Correct)
CONDITION: Unissued / Museum Grade

THE HISTORY (THE NARRATIVE)

THE ROARING FIRST 500

The Industrial Archetype

Asset #315 represents the genesis of the submachine gun era. Manufactured in early 1921, this drum is one of the first 500 units ever produced, pre-dating the vast majority of Thompson production. It hails from the legendary John's Machine & Stamp Works contract-the first industrial effort to mechanise the firepower of the American soldier.

The Heavyweight Champion

The Type "C" (Roman numeral for 100) was General Thompson's Trench Broom vision realised. However, its immense weight and complex clockwork mechanism proved impractical for field conditions, leading to early obsolescence. Consequently, few C drums survived the ravages of time, let alone in the unissued state presented here.

General John T. Thompson holding an M1921.

A Statistical Anomaly

To find a C drum with matching serial numbers is rare; to find one in the #300 range is statistically significant. This artifact likely sat in a Law Enforcement or Postal Service vault during the turbulent Prohibition years, escaping the abuse of the field to remain a pristine time capsule of steel and oil.

THE FORENSIC GRID (THE PROOF)

THE LOW SERIAL

One of the earliest known examples. Diestamped during the initial 1921 production run.

ROUND RIVETS (AUTHENTIC)

The critical forensic marker. The presence of domed, round-head rivets definitively authenticates this as a 1921 Original.

UNISSUED TRACK

The spiral feed channel is devoid of “insertion scarring” or grease caking, confirming an unissued operational history.

DISPLAY INSERT (REPRO)

Includes a period-correct style “Navy Model” caution card (High-quality reproduction) for display purposes.

CONDITION REPORT

MATCHING NUMBERS: Lid and Body are both stamped #315.

SURFACE STATE: Retains original Dull Matte Blue factory finish (Applied by Colt's Patent Fire Arms Mfg Co.)

MECHANICAL: Rotor spring tension is crisp; winding key knurling is sharp.

FEED LIPS: Virgin geometry with no evidence of magazine well insertion wear.

PROVENANCE: Formerly of the Colt21a Collection (USA) and a prominent New Zealand private collection.

CURATOR'S GRADE: MUSEUM / UNISSUED

THE ASSET SUMMARY

In the hierarchy of Thompson collecting, the Matching C-Drum sits at the apex. It is a Blue Chip asset class. Asset #315 combines low-digit scarcity, matching numbers, and condition into a single, verifiable package.

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AEROVISTA | GLOBAL HERITAGE

REF: ASSET #315

1921 THOMPSON TYPE C DRUM