Published: May 26, 2025 | Updated: February 17, 2026

How Much is My M1A1 Thompson Worth?

The M1A1 Thompson is a WWII-era submachine gun known for its rugged design, historical significance, and iconic profile. As a U.S.-made open-bolt .45 ACP firearm, transferable M1A1s remain highly sought after by collectors and history enthusiasts alike.

Curious about how much your M1A1 Thompson submachine gun is worth? Whether you’re looking to sell or simply understand current pricing, we’ll help you assess the market value of your firearm.

About the M1A1 Thompson

The M1A1 Thompson is further-simplified variant of the M1 Thompson, widely issued to U.S. troops during WWII. It features an open-bolt blowback design, a fixed firing pin, rear sight protectors, simplified firing controls and was chambered in .45 ACP. Many transferable examples were registered post-war, with a portion of original military-issue guns falling under C&R status, driving up their collector value.

Origin

United States

Manufacturer

Auto-Ordnance (Bridgeport, CT), Savage Arms

Rate of Fire

600–700 rounds per minute

Notable Uses

WWII, U.S. military forces

M1A1 Thompson Machine Gun Values & Variants

Transferable M1A1 Thompson submachine guns are highly sought after by NFA collectors and enthusiasts. Value is influenced by originality, condition, variant type and any unique historical markings. Most examples on the market range from $18,000 to $34,000, depending on configuration and provenance.

Common Variants & Value Ranges

  • Auto-Ordnance or Savage Military-Issue (C&R Eligible)

    Estimated Value: $28,000 – $34,000

  • Registered Dewats Reactivated

    Estimated Value: $22,000 – $26,000

  • Post-War Commercial Examples (West Hurley)

    Estimated Value: $18,000 – $22,000

Market values reviewed by Chris Wing, Lead Firearms Valuation Specialist

Factors That Influence M1A1 Thompson Values

circle-check-plus

Originality:

Transferable M1A1 Thompsons with original receivers, parts, and factory markings typically command higher prices due to their authenticity and appeal to collectors.

file-search

Condition:

Clean, well-maintained M1A1 Thompson machine guns in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition will sell for significantly more than worn or modified examples.

tag-clock

Historical Markings / Provenance:

If there are markings or provenance that link your M1A1 Thompson to a specific military unit, wartime service, or historical event - collector interest and market value can greatly increase.

bookmark-plus-2

Restoration:

Whether your M1A1 Thompson has been refinished, restored or modified will significantly affect pricing. Original finishes are typically more desirable.

circles-5

Transfer Status:

Transferrable M1A1 Thompsons will hold a considerably higher value than their pre-86 or post-86 counterparts.

ai

Receiver Type & Build Origin:

M1A1 Thompsons built on original receivers typically hold more value than rewelds or aftermarket builds.

Ready to get an offer on your M1A1 Thompson machine gun?

Create an account or log-in to get an offer with professional support every step of the way.

About Us

Our mission is to make the process of selling your firearm as easy and convenient as possible.

Selling a firearm can be time-consuming and legally complex, especially for machine guns. At webuyguns.com, we streamline the process by purchasing directly from you, saving you time and ensuring a legally compliant, hassle-free transaction. With decades of experience, we provide fair market evaluations and encourage you to compare our offers locally to see the value we bring.

Offers made every month
2,000+
Firearms purchased
9,600+
We handle shipping for you
Free Shipping
WeBuyGuns Storefront

Our process

Step 1

Step 1

Tell us what you have

Fill out a short form and upload a few photos. This helps us identify what you have.

Step 2

Step 2

We verify your make & model

We review your information and images to assess the condition and value of your firearm.

Step 1

Step 3

We make an offer

We’ll provide an offer on your firearm and, if accepted, provide a shipping label.

Recent customer reviews

Frequently asked questions

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to our customer support team.