Few firearms carry the cinematic and historical heft of the Thompson submachine gun. Introduced in the interwar years and refined through military and law-enforcement service, the Model 1928A1 became shorthand for a particular period of American arms: rugged, purposeful and unmistakable. This Savage Thompson example, bearing serial S-246279, was manufactured in 1941 under contract by Savage for Auto-Ordnance to help meet World War II production numbers.
It is exactly the sort of machine-gun that makes a room quiet when it comes out of the case. Its slab-sided receiver, walnut furniture, ribbed barrel sleeve and four-slot Cutts compensator defines the silhouette for generations of collectors. In short, this gun fits perfectly as a listing for the November Collection of Collectors Elite Auctions. It would also fit perfectly in your safe.
Savage Thompson; Function & Style
Mechanically, the 1928A1 is pure period engineering. This example wears a 12.25-inch barrel beneath its ventilated rib and heat shield. It also feeds from a 20-round stick magazine. Controls are intuitive. The adjustable rear peep and front post sights remain faithful to service ergonomics. The parkerized/blued finish, original walnut buttstock, pistol grip and vertical foregrip, as well as the steel buttplate, complete a package that harkens back to an era of grit and determination and the steadfast production that came out of America’s Arsenal of Democracy.
Period Details That Matter
Collectors will note the gun’s original configuration. Its Cutts compensator, ribbed sleeve and early war S-serial prefix indicate production characteristics associated with Savage subcontract work for Auto-Ordnance. Savage only made Thompsons between 1940 and 1942. The S-serial prefix came into being after the Lend-Lease Act in 1941. Based on total production numbers, this gun would have likely been made in 1941.
A quiet, important preservation touch is present here as well. It comes with a felt bolt buffer/take-up pad installed in the lower receiver to reduce bolt slap and protect the receiver face. It’s a small modification that preserves function and reduces metal-on-metal wear. Its presence also speaks to careful stewardship rather than heavy-handed repair. The part isn’t original to the gun, but it’s certainly beneficial to have if you plan on shooting this example. You should absolutely shoot it. An unfired submachine gun is a sad submachine gun.
Condition and Provenance
This Savage Thompson presents in good, all original condition. Wear is honest and consistent with service life. The finishes show expected patina, edges and wood show handling, and mechanical components display original factory fitment. Photographs confirm factory-style bolt and feed components and a clean feed path. This underscores that this is an original, not a rebuild. The overall presentation is that of an authentic wartime piece rather than a restored show gun.
The Case for Collecting
This Model 1928A1 is more than a firearm. It is a cultural artifact from one of the most influential eras of the 20th century. This example’s S-prefix pedigree, Cutts compensator, original walnut furniture and honest service wear combine to make it a compelling acquisition for the collector looking for authenticity over showroom gloss.
For NFA owners and serious historians, it represents a turn-key piece of mid-20th-century firepower: historically desirable, mechanically straightforward and visually authoritative. It’s not a gun to hide in a drawer; it’s a centerpiece that carries story and presence.
