M1928A1 barrel markings-original barrel?

[MRCTMG]

I got this M1928A1(my 1st Thompson ever) last year, a WWII mixmaster with a Savage upper and A.O. Bridgeport trigger frame. It is in good overall condition and a great shooter. In looking for things to do with recent covid isolation, I finally decided to go through the gun in greater detail (using Frank Iannamico's American Thunder as a reference)to see just how original all the parts are. It appears to have all the correct 1940's era internals, wood, sling/etc as far as I have been able to tell. These barrel marks also coincide with what the book indicates are original markings and inspection marks, but not really sure if that means the barrel is original. Can anyone with more knowledge give an opinion? Not that's its all that important an issue, but boredom tends to make my mind susceptible to trivialities!

[john]

First pic isn't too clear but looks like a double tap on top showing two crowns.....this a lend-lease gun?

Any other markings?

Appears barrel has been replaced with a takeoff that doesn't quite index right, could be a field repair with barrel from a U.S. gun. Brit gun should have a broad arrow and 6 tonnes marked on the barrel, I think?

[john]

I've installed a few takeoff barrels from parts kits on my guns and they almost never line up.

The two dimples on top kinda look like arsenal markings though.

[reconbob]

Well , the P is at top dead center, so thats right. I do not see a Stevens square S

on the right side between the draw line and the P, so there should be a Savage

round S of the other (left) side. If there is no S then I'd vote for it being a non-original

barrel. It could still be a 70 year old barrel, just not one made by Savage or Stevens..

I don't know that you can determine authenticity soley on account of the drawline. But

I am sure others will weigh in.

 

My $0.02

 

Bob

Edited May 29, 2020 by reconbob

[TSMG28]

The crown stamp indicates that the gun came from Britain. It is applied when the gun is being sold. A similar stamp was also applied to the top of the actuator where it shows in the top slot of the receiver. If your actuator does not have this stamp, it may not be original to the gun.

 

I suspect the barrel was changed out sometime during WWII to get the gun back into service. That is why the P and punch mark on top of the collar are in the correct location as noted by Bob. The index line obviously does not line up, but as noted, they almost never do with replacement barrels. Another possibility is that the gun left Britain as a Dewat, and when the gun was rewatted, the barrel was replaced. But that would imply the rebarreling was done at some kind of arsenal for the P and pin punch to be added. I have never seen a commercial rebarreling job bother with the proof marks.

 

The left side or bottom of the barrel collar should have either a round S for Savage or a square S for Stevens. Either would be correct in this case. Occasionally, the square S shows up on the right side of the collar, but most I have seen have been on the bottom or left side.

 

No way of knowing for sure on the barrel, so enjoy the gun and know that it has at least some special history.

[MRCTMG]

Thank you for the replies/input, gentleman! The only other markings on it(GEG stamp and the US Ordnance flaming bomb)have always lead me to believe it was not a lend-lease gun. There are no other British markings on it that I can identify. Also, the gun has the horizontal foregrip and sling swivels in the US configuration. That said, I have never been able to determine what that other mark on the top of the receiver is in the 1st pic(the pic that shows the "P" and punch mark). In my isolation boredom I even examined it under magnification and tried taking a rubbing of it, but still could not figure out what it was.

[WW2Collector39-45]

Is it possible that it started its service life as a lend lease gun, and was at some point picked up by US troops on a battlefield and then pressed into US service?

[john]

Noticed the p and dimples being correct....if someone rebarrelled with a takeoff and cranked it on until the dimples on top matched...could have been done in the field by a US Armorer too?

No proof marks on barrel?

[MRCTMG]

There are no other marks on the barrel. The fore grip has an "M" clearly visible on it, which according to American Thunder is the mark of Strombeck-Becker, one of the original grip manufacturers. The GEG and Flaming Bomb US Ordnance stamps are clear and distinct. Have looked all over the receiver and trigger frame for anything that may indicate a British proof mark after the previous comments by you, TMSG28 and others about the possibility of lend-lease. The only other mark is that "still-unidentifiable to me" mark on the top of the receiver in pic #1. I can see how it vaguely resembles a crown, but really not very much, especially when viewed directly.

[anjong-ni]

I believe it's difficult for "mere mortals" to replace a barrel and leave absolutely NO evidence, though Bob, Doug and Dan could do it.

 

 

To install, I've used the hydraulic press, lathe chuck, leather, wood, aluminum blocks. Tighten it until the barrel spins because it simply can't be held any tighter.

 

Once the barrel turns, there's a mark...Phil

[Mk VII]

London proof mark on top of the receiver. Which just shows its passed the the British gun trade at some point.

[gijive]

Mk VII,

London proof mark on top of the receiver. Which just shows its passed the the British gun trade at some point.

Thanks for reiterating what TSMG28 already mentioned. Maybe readers will understand it, this time around. Apparently some people don't read the entire thread, but only read the previous post.

[DFisch]

Silly question for today based on anjong-ni's post: What kind of tool did the OEM (Colt, AOC, Savage) use to install the barrel without leaving marks?