The Rarest Thompson In The World

Published on December 9, 2025
Duration: 22:53

This video details the extremely rare .30-06 Thompson Submachine Gun prototype, a one-of-a-kind firearm previously considered mythical. Expert Brandon Herrera provides an in-depth look at its unique features, including a modified BAR magazine and a complex colleted bolt friction-delay system designed for the higher pressure .30-06 cartridge. The prototype's historical context and auction results are also discussed, highlighting its significance as a museum-quality artifact.

Quick Summary

The .30-06 Thompson Prototype is an exceptionally rare, one-of-a-kind firearm chambered in .30-06 Springfield. It features a reinforced receiver and a complex colleted bolt for friction-delayed blowback to handle the higher pressure cartridge. Likely intended to compete with the BAR, its existence was once mythical, and it sold for $85,000 at auction.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the .30-06 Thompson
  2. 01:44Historical Context and Comparison
  3. 03:02External Features and Markings
  4. 05:08Mechanical Overview
  5. 08:37The Colleted Bolt Mechanism
  6. 10:07Technical Analysis with Zack Shaffer
  7. 11:43Extraction and Oiled Cartridges
  8. 14:43.30 Carbine Thompson Prototype
  9. 16:04Auction Results

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the .30-06 Thompson Prototype so rare?

The .30-06 Thompson Prototype is exceptionally rare because it's a one-of-a-kind experimental firearm chambered in the powerful .30-06 Springfield cartridge, a caliber not typically associated with Thompson submachine guns. Its existence was once considered a myth due to a lack of documentation.

How did the .30-06 Thompson Prototype handle the higher pressure of the .30-06 cartridge?

It featured a significantly reinforced upper receiver and a unique colleted bolt mechanism. This colleted bolt created a friction-delayed blowback action by expanding outward to lock against chamber flanges, managing the increased operating pressures.

What historical context surrounds the .30-06 Thompson Prototype?

This prototype was likely developed to compete with firearms like the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), aiming to create a more powerful automatic weapon than the standard .45 ACP Thompson. Markings indicate it was associated with 'C.J. West Jr.' and dated '12/43'.

What was the auction result for the .30-06 Thompson Prototype?

The .30-06 Thompson Prototype achieved a hammer price of $85,000 at auction. This price reflects its extreme rarity, historical significance, and status as a unique piece of firearms engineering and history.

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