Quick question for those who know,what's the value of a Thompson still in crate

Greenman

Greenman

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So today I happened on a original full auto Thompson , still in the wooden shipping crate and as far as I know un-fired . Yes it is secured , yes the owner is properly registered . I did a quick search and did not find anything close.
Anyone know what the value would be roughly?
 
Greenman said:
So today I happened on a original full auto Thompson , still in the wooden shipping crate and as far as I know un-fired . Yes it is secured , yes the owner is properly registered . I did a quick search and did not find anything close.
Anyone know what the value would be roughly?
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Honestly, not nearly as much as it should be worth.

It could bring $50,000 or more in the U.S. depending what model it is, but here *maybe* $4500-6000 at best?

The market is super limited, these are all destined to become dewats.

-Steve
 
Those aren't 12.(2). You need a Theatrical License to purchase those M1A1's listed at that link.

Any 12(2) full auto had to have been registered as part of a collection in Canada as of January 1st, 1978. 12(3) converted full autos by October 2nd, 1992.

Jim.
 
So few people have the appropriate licensing to own one, that the market will not bring any BIG money in Canada. If you were lucky you could sell it for between $1000 and $3000, depending on model and what all comes with it.

Now, on the other hand, if you figure out a way to get it into the US to sell it, you would have a small fortune on your hands. Anywhere between $50,000 and $100,000 depending once again on model and what all comes with it.

I saw one on an episode of Cajun Pawn Stars that the guy offered $50,000 for it and the owner turned that down. That particular one wasn't in perfect shape and had been fired. The expert said that it was worth around $80,000 retail...
 
Coyote Ugly said:
http://www.marstar.ca/dynamic/category.jsp?catid=74906

http://www.marstar.ca/dynamic/product.jsp?productid=74907

Full Auto 12(2) - $795.00 at Marstar.
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They're not available to collectors though. Collectors aren't able to obtain any Thompsons that weren't registered in Canada prior to 1978. If you have a museum you might get one, or a movie company or if your town police need one (not likely going to pick an old Thompson over something modern). I know because even though I have the "proper licence" they couldn't/wouldn't sell me one. If I could have an essentially new M1A1 for that price I'd have gotten it by now. I would liked to have obtained a nearby police department Thompson but even if they would sell it I can't have it because .....it was never registered. I know of one museum that purchased a Marstar M1A1 and I don't think that was all that easy either.
 
Coyote Ugly said:
Which model? M1, M1A1, 1927, 1928?

Worth a lot more in the US.
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No probably not. If it wasn't registered in the US prior to the cut off date (1986) for US legally transferrable auto weapons then it cannot be legally transferred now to a private owner. A few dealers may own them as samples but it limits the market for them if not legally transferrable. :(

You can contact Fast and Furious Firearms at ATF.gov.us and they can legally transfer it to Mexican drug dealers. Just kidding. DO NOT DO THIS!
 
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Ultimately it is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for a gun that cannot ever be shot in this country. Whatever any buyer is willing to pay for it is the equivalent to taking that amount of cash and stapling it to the wall.

I had an opportunity at an apparently minty FN Para but I already have an L1A1 hanging on my wall and don't really need another one. It would just be money tied up for nothing in the end.
 
lanshoka said:
Those aren't 12.(2). You need a Theatrical License to purchase those M1A1's listed at that link.

Any 12(2) full auto had to have been registered as part of a collection in Canada as of January 1st, 1978. 12(3) converted full autos by October 2nd, 1992.

Jim.
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If you took the time to watch the video, it's full auto.
 
Coyote Ugly said:
If you took the time to watch the video, it's full auto.
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I'm aware of that. It isn't a question as to whether they are full auto or not. I've owned registered live Thompsons for years and I know the rules. Those Thompsons at that link are not 12(2) firearms because they were not registered in this country as part of a collection as of January 1st, 1978. Those particular M1A1 Thompsons were imported after that date and can only be sold to movie companies, police, or military agencies. They cannot be registered as 12(2) or 12(3).

I've talked about this with John recently via email. The 12(3) converted full autos he has listed under John's vault are 12(3) and transferable. As far as I know he doesn't list any 12(2) transferable full autos on his webpage.
 
I remember seeing crates of new ones with full CES and mags in military storage before they were all sent to the smelters.
 
AK said:
If you took the time to know the law you wouldn't have just been made a fool of.
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Ya OK Fool - Don't lose any sleep over it!

It's just an advertisement on his website that says Full Auto with prices.
If you don't like the ad and how it's written and it's content, don't complain to me, but make sure you watch the excellent video.

Grow Up!
 
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unfortunatly johns full auto as mentioned cannot be transferred to collectors if he could he would have years ago ..ask him about the containers of FN FALs he has he cant do anything with either....sucks but thats life ....the full auto tommy in this case falls victim to lack of licenced ppl ...supply demand ...full auto worth about 800.00-1000.00... converted auto 1300-1500.00 dewat cuz anyone can own ..no paperwork ..2500.00 give or take and depending on model ...and the sneaky RCMP will prolly want to check the conversion on a converted auto. ..they dont tell u this till u start the transfer ..then it could be months or even years before you see it again if at all...yep im speaking from experiance ..FN FAL sitting in ottawa since last May ..and heres the kicker if it fails whatever test thay do and it fails u lose it ..so u are out the cash and the gun no they wont let u dewat it ...i love this ####ry sometimes
 
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