The year 2025 marks the 250th year of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, a historic milestone that celebrates a quarter-millennium of service, sacrifice, and tradition. While official celebrations from Philadelphia to Camp Pendleton will mark the occasion with parades —the commemorative market is also rising to the occasion. Stepping into this spotlight, Auto-Ordnance, the name behind the iconic Thompson "Tommy Gun," has unveiled a special two-part collector’s set designed to honor America’s first seaborne services.

This unique tribute, featuring customized versions of the classic Thompson M1 Carbine and the venerable 1911 pistol, is a thoughtful nod to military history. In collaboration with the artists at Altered Arsenal, Auto-Ordnance has transformed these legendary American firearms into elaborate, heirloom-grade pieces. Each set—one dedicated to the Navy and one to the Marines—blends timeless design with intricate, service-specific details, appealing not just to gun enthusiasts but also to active-duty personnel, veterans, and anyone with an appreciation for military heritage.

The Navy Set: Sentinels of the Sea

The 250th Anniversary Navy Commemorative 1911 is a visually striking handgun designed to evoke the crisp precision of a naval uniform. It boasts a unique, multi-toned Cerakote finish of Arctic White and Savage Stainless, providing a brilliant, clean foundation. This polished canvas is then used to make the engravings pop; the areas around the etching—including the bold "NAVY" on the slide and the gold-highlighted "250 YEARS" emblem—are meticulously dusted with Armor Black.

The detail work continues across the entire pistol. The top of the slide features subtle, evocative engravings inspired by the design of the Navy Dress Uniform. In a final salute to the service's lineage, the genuine hardwood grips proudly bear a portrait of John Paul Jones, the "Father of the American Navy." His famously determined gaze serves as a powerful, albeit silent, reminder of the defiant, fighting spirit that birthed the U.S. Navy. For those seeking the technical specs of this impressive 0.45 ACP sidearm, its 5-inch barrel and 7-round magazine are standard Government-model fare, proving that a handsome collectible can still be built on a reliable platform.

Complementing the pistol is the magnificent Navy Commemorative Thompson semi-automatic carbine. With a striking, all-white Cerakote finish across its barrel and receiver, the rifle echoes the clean lines of a sailor’s dress whites. The classic wood furniture, though, provides a rich, dark contrast.

The receiver's left side proclaims "NAVY" in authoritative lettering, while the right displays the "250TH ANNIVERSARY" crest. One particularly charming detail is the black and gold pattern on the top of the receiver, an elegant, profound nod to the distinguished gold braid and buttons of the Navy dress uniform. The custom wood furniture further enhances the tribute: anchors adorn the wood grip, and the dark stock is etched with intricate patterns incorporating the commemoration and historic battle scenes, providing a tactile connection to two-and-a-half centuries of maritime history.

The Marine Set: The Few and the Proud

The second pair honors "The Few and the Proud," delivering a fierce visual presence that mirrors the storied history of the Corps. The 250th Anniversary Marines 1911A1 utilizes a bold color scheme of Midnight Blue and Stormtrooper White Cerakote with accents of USMC Red and Gold, clearly emulating the Marine Dress Whites. This is the pistol that understands that if you’re going to pay tribute to a fighting force, you might as well give it some panache.

The design proudly celebrates Marine heritage, with "MARINES" boldly etched on the left side of the slide and "UNITED STATES" and a gold-inlaid "250 YEARS" emblem on the right. Perhaps the most compelling feature is the custom-engraved wood grips, which act as a visual bridge between the Corps' past and present. The right panel depicts a scene of Revolutionary War-era warriors, while the left features a depiction of a modern Marine, a fitting acknowledgment that the Corps’ DNA is unchanged despite the passage of time. Like its Navy counterpart, this .45 ACP pistol is built on the proven 1911 platform.

The Marines Commemorative Thompson M1 carbine completes the set with its own dramatic presentation. Meticulously customized by Altered Arsenal, this semi-automatic rifle features a two-tone receiver with a matte black upper and a contrasting white lower. This is no shrinking violet; the left side is boldly emblazoned with the name "MARINES" in a durable and vibrant USMC Red Cerakote.

The theme of the iconic dress uniform continues here, as the top of the receiver is adorned with a custom red and gold design that artfully evokes the Marine Corps Dress Blue uniform. The custom wood furniture is rich with history, detailed with historical battle scenes and the "250 Years of Service" commemoration on the buttstock. Chambered in .45 ACP and including both a 20- and 30-round stick magazine, the carbine is a meticulously crafted collector's item—perfectly designed for display, if one could bear to keep such a handsome piece locked away.

These limited-edition firearms are tangible symbols of honor and lasting testaments to the dedication of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, not just working pieces of equipment. Auto-Ordnance's choice of the classic 1911 pistol and the Thompson carbine—both deeply embedded in American military history—provides an ideal canvas for this tribute. They offer collectors, veterans, and military families a unique and genuinely respectful way to own a piece of history and honor the grand traditions and heroic legacies of two-and-a-half centuries of faithful service.

So, whether you're a "Sentinel of the Sea" or one of the "Few and the Proud," or simply a patriot with an eye for exceptional craftsmanship, these commemorative sets offer a truly distinctive way to salute the ongoing journey of the Navy and Marines into their third century. The only question left is which set—or perhaps both—will find a home in your collection.