| ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I spent my working career on ships as a Marine
Engineer. I went to sea for a living, shipping out of San Pedro,
California. This allowed months of time to work on projects.
I bought my first "Thomson" in 1987. It was a West Hurley. I also
purchased a book at the same time from Roger Cox. Those two things
changed the course of my life.
I became obsessed with the “serial number” section of the Cox book.
These histories were very interesting to me. Each gun has its own
unique history. Some of them very colorful. At that point I realized
there could be as many as fifteen thousand Thompson histories to
write about.
By 1990, I was trying to talk several of my close friends into
writing a book on, just serial numbers. I approached Curtis Earl in
Phoenix, no luck. I also approached Doug Richardson. In all cases
they told me that something like this, could not be done. I felt
that Cox had a good start, and that a history on just, serial
numbers, could be written.
So in 1991, I acquired a hand me down computer from my neighbor,
took it on board the ship with me, and went to work.
In 1999, eight years later, I published my first edition of 50
books. Doug Richardson was encouraging with, you will sell 25, and
be buried with the other 25.
I have just finished the fourth edition, with fourteen years of
research behind me. I revolve my life around keeping this special
book updated. New numbers and historical information come in
continuously from many sources.
I have made many new friends since I started my research. Colt
Thompson collectors are a very special breed of people. John
Thompson would be proud.
Gordon Herigstad
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