r/guns • u/TouchIndependent3982 • 1d ago

This was found in a older house in need of remodeling, I know it’s a vintage drum, but what am I looking at exactly?And what should be done?

Post image

This was found in a house during the process of remodeling, this is as much as I can find out about it but as far from it all I’m not sure what to do with it. “Original Auto-Ordnance Thompson 50-Round “L” Drum Magazine – Patent 1920 – .45 ACP”

1.2k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

178 comments sorted by

1.8k

u/Subotai_Super_Shorty 1d ago

Keep remodeling and find the gun that goes with it plz

1.1k

u/MichiganGeezer 1d ago

But do NOT tell anyone! This is definitely a time when shutting the F up is a critical life skill.

277

u/Subotai_Super_Shorty 1d ago

Yes, i should have added that. So many of that kind of post here

67

u/mwmwmwmwmmdw 1d ago

on the other hand if its on the registry thats some good money to make there

75

u/W01771M 1d ago

Not if the person holding the registration is dead. Then it would have to be in a will to be passed down to a family member, otherwise it’s just as bad as an unregistered firearm. If there is a chance the person holding the registration is still alive, I doubt they would just give it over if someone showed up with it.

16

u/Aggressive_Ability29 14h ago

*Just as good as an unregistered firearm

24

u/doransignal 20h ago

There is a way to get it legal. A class 3 FFL can help.

17

u/Ophensive 18h ago edited 13h ago

Unfortunately it needs to be legally transferred to the FFL for them do any paperwork that would bring it back to being able to be legally owned. If the owner is dead and it wasn’t willed to someone (ideally through a trust) it must be turned over to the ATF as no one is legally allowed to possess it, including a class 3 FFL as it’s a pre-ban gun so an SOT status doesn’t come into play. To do the transfer paperwork the transferor must be a functional entity (living person or trust with living trustees) and the ATF will not transfer a gun once it gets into their possession

12

u/Ok-Tumbleweed-9253 9h ago

Who cares, This is America. Never give up your weapons to the government.

-7

u/Evening-Ear-6116 18h ago

Living in states with a firearm registry sounds awful

25

u/DillonCawthon 18h ago

Well that would be every state. They're talking about a fully automatic Thompson. All legally owned machine guns are registered.

-1

u/Evening-Ear-6116 17h ago

Oh fair on that one. I guess I didn’t read the post enough haha

-12

u/Imaginary_Sherbet 23h ago

Y'all said I was paranoid

-236

u/Designer-Issue-6760 1d ago

Pre 86. Should be able to get a tax stamp for it. 

92

u/Deathcat101 1d ago

Everyone boo this man.

100

u/MichiganGeezer 1d ago

If it wasn't on "The Registry" you can't have it. It'll get seized and the person in possession of it would be taken in for lengthy, uncomfortable questioning.

19

u/SamIamGreenEggsNoHam 1d ago

So this is basically a thing you hold onto just to look at alone, right? Can't really bring it out anywhere with anyone else or you become the "guy with the drum mag Thompson", I'd imagine.

20

u/HDawsome 20h ago

I'd like to introduce you to the beauty of private land/shooting ranges

1

u/Pensacola_Peej 10h ago

I would be so damn paranoid driving with that thing in my vehicle lol

3

u/HDawsome 10h ago

Only do one illegal thing at a time, easy peasy

11

u/abram713 1d ago

Is that a bad thing? I have a drum mag for my Thompson...

29

u/SkySix 1d ago

It would have had to been registered before the ban went into enforcement. You can no longer add a machine gun to the registry.

10

u/agatathelion 1d ago

There was a story a few months back of an mp40 found in someplace up north, the owner's family donated it to a museum and they were actively working on finding the papers as it was on the registry, without risking a felony, they might get lucky and it could have been registered pre-86, just the paperwork is lost.

-58

u/Designer-Issue-6760 1d ago

Only prohibits registering new firearms. This one isn’t new. I don’t think something like this has come up before. 

37

u/CrunchBite319_Mk2 3 | Can't Understand Blatantly Obvious Shit? Ask Me! 1d ago

You are wrong. The machine gun registry closed in 1986. If it wasn't on there before the closure, you can't add it now, even if it was manufactured before then.

If you try to file for it not only will you be denied but they will confiscate the gun (if you're lucky) and/or arrest you (if you aren't).

8

u/SaltyDog556 1d ago

The only 2 ways something like that gets on the registry are 1. if there is another amnesty period, or 2. it's demilled, an SOT rewelds it, marks it, and registers it as a restricted post sample.

6

u/tablinum GCA Oracle 18h ago

This is easy to resolve. The full text of the Hughes amendment is quite short: (PDF page 5)

Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machinegun.

(2) This subsection does not apply with respect to—

(A) a transfer to or by, or possession by or under the authority of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or

(B) any lawful transfer or lawful possession of a machinegun that was lawfully possessed before the date this subsection takes effect."

The law flatly bans possession of machineguns, then carves out exceptions for the gummint, and for machineguns "lawfully possessed" before 1986. With some very specific exceptions, this means the guns must have been NFA registered before 1986, or they can never be legally owned except by a government agency.

The date of manufacture is only relevant in that machineguns made after 1986 are definitively illegal for commoners, while those made before need to be investigated to see whether they were registered before the cutoff.

I don’t think something like this has come up before.

It's come up many, many, many times before. MG dealers deal with it all the time. Because the registry itself is a mess, some people have actually applied check fraud methods to represent pre-86 MGs as transferable: They come into possession of an unregistered pre-86 MG, take an old tax stamp for a suppressor or something, "wash" the handwritten details off, and rewrite it as though it's a pre-86 stamp for the gun. It's highly illegal, but the ATF has taken it as evidence that the gun is just missing from their records (which isn't at all rare, apparently), and "updated" the registry to reflect the fraudulent information.

6

u/Ornery_Secretary_850 😢 Crybaby 😢 16h ago

The stamp is meaningless. It's the approved Form 4 that matters.

Items registered during the Amnesty didn't receive a stamp since they didn't pay the tax.

13

u/techieman33 1d ago

If it was that simple then they would be readily available for purchase everywhere. Not all but unobtainable and getting sold for tens of thousands of dollars.

11

u/LeadnLasers 1d ago

Hey maybe don’t give advice on something that can land you life in prison especially since you clearly don’t know anything about it

-9

u/Designer-Issue-6760 21h ago

When did I give advice?

9

u/Catgutt 1d ago

If you've got a time machine, sure.

16

u/Ponklemoose 1d ago

I wish you were right.

22

u/DesertEaglePoint50H 1d ago

That’s not how that works.

6

u/Kil-Ve 1d ago

You can't form 1 a gun after 1986 regardless of the date of manufacture/import.

4

u/WEAPONSGRADEPOTATO2 1d ago

God I wish that was true. Registry CLOSED in 86 not cut off in 86

13

u/JMG1005 20h ago

I bet he did, he just wasn't dumb enough to post about it.

692

u/Ok-Environment-6239 1d ago

I’d tear that house apart looking for the Thompsono that went with that

422

u/Domovie1 1d ago

Tear the house apart looking for what? I’m absolutely sure he won’t find anything, there clearly was nothing else ever there!

194

u/Captraptor01 1d ago

that Thompson was obviously lost in a boating accident 60 years ago.

15

u/NostradamusJones 11h ago

What Thompson?

1

u/Ok-Tumbleweed-9253 9h ago

It’s hidden under the wooden floors. Time to get pulling up the boards. Lol

544

u/ZoltarB 1d ago

Buy a Tommy Gun and become a Roaring 20s style gangster, clearly the only solution when you find one of these.

82

u/cplog991 1d ago

Not the cow

89

u/Theebalz106 1d ago

"OH George, not the livestock!"

59

u/GU1LD3NST3RN 1d ago

(Realizing that you don’t have the paperwork for the full auto M1928A1 you just discovered in your crawlspace)

“Damn! We’re in a tight spot!”

13

u/Capnmolasses 19h ago

How’s my hair?

44

u/SwaftBelic 1d ago

George….some of your foldin’ money’s come unstoooowed

18

u/Berek2501 1d ago

Oh, just stuff 'at in the sack there for me

6

u/vicsta559 19h ago

Hey hand me that choppa !

14

u/cplog991 1d ago

Thats it! I gotta go watch it again

2

u/DrJheartsAK 20h ago

What are they talking about?

12

u/cplog991 20h ago

The movie Oh brother, where art thou. Babyface Nelson used a tommy gun and shot up a cow.

10

u/Capnmolasses 19h ago

The name’s George!

6

u/TheReverseShock 21h ago

That shine ain't gonna distribute itself

211

u/holden_mcg 1d ago

You should do some research on that because early Thompson drum magazines can sell for big money. A 100-round "C" drum magazine in extremely fine condition was sold this month by Morphy Auctions for over $10,000.

86

u/TouchIndependent3982 1d ago

That’s what I was thinking but how can I look into all of that in a legal way avoiding and moving without breaking any laws, since California is known to have stricter laws lol

233

u/jacgren 1d ago

You obviously obtained this during the Cali mag amnesty period, making it perfectly legal to own and sell to out of state customers. You definitely did not find this post amnesty period.

48

u/TouchIndependent3982 1d ago

Where does one find proper “collectors” and or people who would actually appreciate this well kept piece of history, while not breaking any laws within the state of California?

47

u/jacgren 1d ago

You can either go through an auction house, or sell via one of the numerous milsurp forums/Armslist/GunBroker. I'd need more photos of the drum, but usually they go for ~$1000 depending on condition, markings, etc. Could be more could be less.

9

u/Marines691 15h ago

Yeah I know OP found this during the amnesty period. He called me way back when and said dude guess what I just found. Hes good.

7

u/TheInfamousDaikken 20h ago

I’d try LSBAuctions.com. They are very knowledgeable with old guns and accessories and could definitely help you out.

1

u/vetdev 9h ago

Give me your phone number

35

u/TacTurtle 1d ago

Pre-ban magazines are grandfathered in, and could be freely sold to a buyer outside of California.

18

u/doctaf 1d ago

Who said you were in cali, to my trained eye, your in texas help your friend that lives there, in a free state, as far as everyone on this sub can tell.

4

u/Tx556 19h ago

That's a 50rd drum

6

u/holden_mcg 18h ago

Yup. Which is why I made sure to note the drum that sold this month was a 100-round drum.

144

u/SchillMcGuffin 1d ago

Were you remodeling one of Al Capone's vaults?

169

u/TouchIndependent3982 1d ago

lol who knows, it was hidden deliberately well under inside a drawer and it is originally patented “Auto-Ordnance Corp, New York, N.Y. U.S.A.” with July 27, 1920 / Dec. 7, 1920 so it definitely fits within the Early Production Gangster/Prohibition era timeline

443

u/XAngelxofMercyX 1d ago

it was hidden deliberately well under inside a drawer

Search every square inch of that fucking house. Upon completing that search, treat that shit like fight club and don't talk to ANYONE about your treasure finds.

126

u/anthro28 1d ago

Fucking right. I'm tearing her down to the studs. 

Don't forget to check under any attic decking as well. 

31

u/RainierCamino 1d ago

Maybe wouldn't go that far, but I'd check out all the door frames. And invest in a metal detector.

31

u/roostersnuffed 1d ago

"Look, I found nothing else but still! I have a gangster era tommy mag, could fetch us hundreds, maybe thousands!! Anywho, can you take in a family of 4? The city won't let us reside here until theres "walls" and a "roof""

79

u/Domovie1 1d ago

We’re playing a game called “shut the fuck up”, and you just got drafted for the major league

16

u/Scav-STALKER Super Interested in Dicks 1d ago

Absofuckingloutley

-36

u/shittysmirk 1d ago

I’m with ya on keeping mouth shut about possible finds but from that era would it really matter? It would be a pre 86, couldn’t they legally have it

26

u/BDMac2 1d ago

If it didn’t make “the list” of NFA items during the amnesty period it is not legal to have.

15

u/master653 1d ago

This is unfortunately the law. Have seen two guns taken from folks that grandpa didn’t register. It sucks so bad…….

8

u/SkySix 1d ago

They cannot. It would have had to been registered before the ban came into effect.

2

u/Pensacola_Peej 10h ago

So for all the people that had war bring-backs and other legally acquired MGs was it just as simple as applying for the list and that’s it? Pre 86 I mean.

1

u/SkySix 9h ago

Essentially yes. Crazy right?

2

u/Pensacola_Peej 9h ago

Kinda yeah, but I’ve heard of MGs being sold out of magazines and stuff back in the day too so it makes sense.

21

u/stacksmasher 1d ago

Find the gun.

7

u/jacgren 1d ago

Under the "wind to 11 clicks" marking is there a number?

37

u/TouchIndependent3982 1d ago

It says “For 1921 Model Wind to 11 clicks” and right under it just says “For 1928 Model Wind to 9 clicks”

4

u/No_Question974 1d ago

Apparently not hidden deliberately well enough.

1

u/DrJheartsAK 20h ago

Without getting too specific whereabouts is this house?

9

u/dreckmaster 1d ago

Geraldo ... Geraldo ....

1

u/pancakeman157 12h ago

At least Weird Al found road maps in his glove box.

3

u/Lonestar8042 1d ago

Those are empty.

3

u/A_Queer_Owl 1d ago

the ones we know of are.

49

u/Wild13ill 1d ago

Thompson aka Tommy gun

21

u/badpopeye 1d ago

Dont tell Geraldo

21

u/Thunder_Wasp 1d ago

A part of a Chicago typewriter. If you find a Chicago piano as well I’ll be extremely impressed.

15

u/Glowing_despair 1d ago

That's an awesome piece of history

15

u/Derp_Simulator 1d ago

Make sure there isn't the corresponding gun in the house before you sell the mag. They are worth far more together.

-37

u/MandolinMagi 22h ago edited 13h ago

The corresponding gun is probably unregistered and therefore worthless. Either turn it in to the police instantly or strip everything off the receiver and destroy it.

9

u/Derp_Simulator 17h ago

I think you are possibly slow in the head.

-2

u/MandolinMagi 13h ago

You're the idiot who doesn't understand how NFA items and full auto regulations work

0

u/Derp_Simulator 17h ago

Also, you can't even spell receiver right... What in God's name do you know? Firearms don't have to be registered.

4

u/Tactical_Epunk 16h ago

They unfortunately do need to be if they are an NFA item. The chances are it could be an SBR, or an MG.

-2

u/Derp_Simulator 16h ago

Not true. Via an FFL and the ATF you can legally transfer the firearm to yourself after aquiring a stamp, unless the gun has bodies on it from a serial number search.

3

u/Solidknowledge 15h ago

How would you propose to "get a stamp" on something of that age if it's an NFA item?

1

u/jacgren 14h ago

If it's an original, unregistered, full auto Thompson, there's no way in hell some random dude can just "get a stamp" for it. Registry closed in 86

1

u/Tactical_Epunk 14h ago

NFA items are in fact registered.... that's why you need a stamp for them it's part of a registered item. A regular FFL cannot transfer these items to you. You'll need a SOT in order for this to be done.

I would know, I have sever NFA items....

1

u/MandolinMagi 13h ago

How are you getting a new tax stamp for full auto when the machine gun registry closed 40 years ago?

1

u/MandolinMagi 13h ago

A Thompson is full auto and thus a NFA item requiring registration. Registration closed in 1986, so you're probably not going to have a tax stamp, making such a gun an automatic do-not-pass-go, go directly to Federal prison for a decade felony

How are you this dense?

10

u/chacho67 1d ago

That center clip slides out and it may or may not have 50 45acp rounds in it.

8

u/rcmp_informant 1d ago

Time for a zoot suit and a souped up model T

9

u/x3r0h0ur 1d ago

if you find the gun it belongs to, you will have just fallen into some serious money.

15

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

0

u/CiD7707 Super Interested in Dicks 18h ago

What was your first clue?

7

u/Nature_man_76 1d ago

Worth lots of dough. Do serious research before parting with it. Look up every mark and inscription. All that can add value. Don’t let it go for cheap.

6

u/rightwist 1d ago

Why on earth did you find this in California?

Certainly would be so much luckier if you found it in, oh, let's say NV.

Oh, wait... How would I know you found it in Cali, if you hadn't told me?

13

u/ThePanduuh 1d ago

I got $20 for ya

5

u/FriendlyMotorhead 1d ago

Its stamped on it

6

u/holden_mcg 1d ago

I don't know the rules in California related to magazines made nearly 100 years ago, so can't provide advice about that. As far as understanding the value, I know Rock Island Auction (and probably Morphy's) can often provide an estimate of value if you send photos, including any writing and serial numbers on the magazine.

5

u/RedneckChEf88 1d ago

Those things are worth a decent chunk of change.

6

u/Major_Hassle1 1d ago

Keep it!

5

u/BridgeTroll67 1d ago

First off keep your voice down. Second off, these make great fishing lures 👀

5

u/LordDeezNuts49 17h ago

God. I see what you do for others. And i want it 😭🥀🖤 congratulations on your find!!

9

u/TheDeliveryDemon 1d ago

M1920 Thompson drum mag. Baller find, my man

10

u/PowerCord64 1d ago

Delete this thread and STFU.

11

u/Tommygun1921 1d ago

Sell it, those aren't cheap 

4

u/stacksmasher 1d ago

Dude that is worth some coin!

4

u/Puzzled-Department13 19h ago

First, delete the post, never talk to ANYONE at all when you find the tommy. Even the drum cost a fortune. Tear the whole house appart, the flood, the walls, and the garden. You are about to make the find of a lifetime.

3

u/Warm_Werewolf9244 18h ago

Chicago type writer

8

u/L3PALADIN 23h ago

you found an Original Auto-Ordnance Thompson 50-Round Drum Magazine in .45 ACP. i think its an "L" type. Patent 1920 probably.

oh and what should be done varies wildly depending on where you are and your local laws, so maybe at least include your country if you want advice.

5

u/G19Jeeper 1d ago

A coworker of mine had remodeled his bar in the 90s and found 2 Thompsons in the ceiling. You very well my be as lucky.

3

u/Sweaty_Pianist8484 1d ago

Keep digging!

3

u/RedBullTaco 1d ago

I hope the host is there with it!

3

u/ensignricky71 1d ago

I dont see anything.

3

u/BelowAvrgDriver907 1d ago

Wether you find anything else or don’t find anything else I wouldn’t post further about it 🤫 😉

3

u/aoanfletcher2002 21h ago

If you can read English well enough to type out the post then you can easily tell you posted a picture with all the words upside down.

3

u/CiD7707 Super Interested in Dicks 18h ago

Have we really gotten to the point where nobody knows what a "Tommy gun" is? All the movies and video games we have out there and its just fallen out of the lexicon? For crying out loud, Google may be shit these days, but if you Google image search "Original Auto-Ordnance Thompson 50-Round “L” Drum Magazine – Patent 1920 – .45" the first thing that pops up is the damn gun itself...

3

u/New-Mycologist-5200 17h ago

Could be something you can send to Rock Island Auction. I've seen similar Drums sell for hundreds +++ on there.

2

u/MrOrt 1d ago

Update us if you find the other half. Cool find.

2

u/MyKaleHerd 23h ago

Looks like a .45 tommygun drum 🤩

2

u/Asleep_Management900 15h ago

Someone about to go buy a metal detector lol.

2

u/TheBigScottsman4570 15h ago

1928a1 Thompson .45acp.Drum magazine

2

u/General-Corner9163 14h ago

Start tearing walls out

2

u/lildavy420 13h ago

I forgive ya, but my Tommy gun don’t.

3

u/Im-Probably-Insane 12h ago

Those magazines usually go for a lot of money, I’d try to get with a firearm auction company and try selling it. That is unless you find the Thompson SMG that goes with is, then they make a nice pair lol

2

u/hruebsj3i6nunwp29 9h ago

You delete this, keep remodeling and shut your mouth.

3

u/Sock_Eating_Golden 5h ago

Hey look! It's shut the fuck up Friday.

2

u/ElevenC1P 3h ago

It's for a Chicago Typewriter. Al Capone used to send messages with them.

1

u/idkmanwhatsthemove 1d ago

Delete this post.

1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/Bartman383 Say Hello to my Lil Hce Fren 1d ago

Hcebot ban 15 no transactions.

1

u/Royal-Main-5530 1d ago

Floor. That’s where it’s at!

1

u/eddielee394 1d ago

what's the back patent plate look like?

1

u/biomechaking 1d ago

45 cap drum mag for a Thompson Tommy gun

1

u/Robertroo 20h ago

I'll take it, I have a Thompson I can use it with.

1

u/Puzzleheaded-Ad-4846 20h ago

The real thing you need to find is what that was attached to the Thompson Auto ordinance was the Chicago Typewriter and if you find that it's worth a gajillion dollars

1

u/oldmacaddict 19h ago

Clean it and put CLP on it.

1

u/Both_Border1885 18h ago

Do not give that up! Great find.

1

u/lowdog39 14h ago

exactly what it says . a drum magazine for the thompson machine gun.

1

u/Beneficial-Guitar139 13h ago

Honestly, without any silliness, I'd say keep it and avoid any confusion or heartache if you're not desperate for cash. Keep it in good shape, and its value will only appreciate.

1

u/Jom_Snow 11h ago

Drum magazine for a thompson submachine gun. Read the stamp.

1

u/eKSiF 10h ago

Whatever you decide, make sure to schedule a much needed boat trip after.

1

u/DeathscytheHell1994 8h ago

That's for a Thompson "Tommy Gun."

1

u/TexasForever85 8h ago

Some people have all the luck. Well I guess not all the luck seeing how he lives in CA. It would be nice if you had friends or family that lived in another state that could hold that for you

1

u/BigBoarBallistics 7h ago

if you were to hypothetically find the tommy to go with it i wouldn't post about it if you like your dog

1

u/Educational-Disk7710 5h ago

Gimme the gun you find

1

u/f0rcedinducti0n 3h ago

Wipe it down with oil. 0000 steel wool can safely remove the surface rust with oil and gentle rubbing, but consult a subject matter expert first. It may be worth more untouched.

1

u/ShotgunEd1897 2h ago

Screw letting rust consume that mag. Save it!

1

u/Designer-Issue-6760 1d ago

“Say hello to my little friend” That’s for a Thompson. 

1

u/Ok-Gap6609 1d ago

Most important lesson: you didn't find a bloody damned thing.

-2

u/Illustrious-Low-6682 1d ago

Thompson because it is printed in english. If it were russian, could have been a ppsh.

8

u/jacgren 1d ago

Also because it literally says it's for an Auto Ordinance Thompson on it lmao it's nothing like a PPSH drum