Deavis Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 On a mission to assist a few here I had the opportunity to meet Merle today. We had the opportunity to talk guns which seemed to make him happy. I had the opportunity to see a few gems that he allowed me to photograph. In order: 1) Merle showing me his drum greasing tool. 2)Odd little SMG manufactured by Ingram that looked like the product of a STEN and TSMG tryst. 3) Amazing tripod extension and actuator for a semi Browning .30 chambered in 7.62. He said it runs about 500 rpm, but I bet you could do a little better though. Sadly, his repair and fabrication days have passed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt Chopper Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 Appears to be an Ingram M6 I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 Deavis,Thank you for the update about Merle. Your help in returning some Thompson drums that Merle could no longer repair makes everyone on this Forum proud. Merle always enjoyed a great reputation in the Thompson community. Everyone thinks of Merle as a friend. I do hope both of you stay in touch. The pictures you posted and update are great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timkel Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 Nice Ingram M6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim c 351 Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 Deavis,Thanks for your report and good deed.Jim C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full auto 45 Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 It is good to see merle again. It has been a few years since I last saw him. I would love to get out to that left side of the country, but finding the time is hard. Hopefully, someone can pickup on his work with the drums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anticus Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 Glad to see Merle, but with his retirement from the drum repair business is there anyone to take over ? The need for the service continues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimFromFL Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 Depending upon which state he lives and when the photo was taken, you may want to remove the image with crank fire which is illegal to own in most if not all states.I guess you could say the picture was taken beforehand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBill Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 (edited) Merle Bitikofer Is a very good man and one of the nicest people I have ever met. Through Merle I was introduced to Gordon Herigstad (Oregon buddies) and Gordon introduced me to David Lansky. What a trio of Thompson aficionados. Thanks for the pictures and update. Edited June 8, 2019 by MrBill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deavis Posted June 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 Thanks for the kind words. As an aside, I dont know of any prohibitions in Oregon for this crank fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67ray Posted June 9, 2019 Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 I love that stand made to hold the M122 tripod! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted June 9, 2019 Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 Theres an off-chance we might be out thataway late July.My wife and I got to know him in Phoenix and frequently dined with Merle, the Richardsons, Gordon, Tino and Lana and Jan and Murray Willis, whenever they made it across the big pond from New Zealand. Ron from Boston too. I called Merle a year or so ago and chatted....as we'll be traveling without any itinerary, it might be kinda last minute.....Anyone have his street address? Pretty sure I have his phone number but hate to tell him we'll be visiting as it might not happen....but hopefully we can fit a short visit in somehow. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deavis Posted June 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 I love that stand made to hold the M122 tripod!It has captured pins and telescoping legs, you can adjust it up to put the gun at eye level while standing (if you are of Merle height). Fitment is amazing too, as well as blending the finish. He told me he did it about ten years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timkel Posted June 9, 2019 Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 I didn't know the crank fire add-on was illegal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimFromFL Posted June 9, 2019 Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 I didn't know the crank fire add-on was illegal. It was included in the slide fire ban.Any item which increases the rate of fire and the crank fire device falls under that law.Not certain all states did it though. On a side note, a number of years ago Merle purchase about 2 dozen of the 100 round repro drums, fixed them and sold them directly.I purchased one from him and it has never failed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted June 9, 2019 Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 I didn't know the crank fire add-on was illegal. It was included in the slide fire ban.Any item which increases the rate of fire and the crank fire device falls under that law.Not certain all states did it though. On a side note, a number of years ago Merle purchase about 2 dozen of the 100 round repro drums, fixed them and sold them directly.I purchased one from him and it has never failed.Certain states banned crankfire's, but it was not covered with the bumpfire stock order. I don't know which states, but from memory NJ, FL and maybe some others. The version in the pic, I think he made since I've never seen one like that before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrktbeat Posted June 10, 2019 Report Share Posted June 10, 2019 Aaron , Thanks again, Your the Best!! , package arrived today cannot believe it has been two years since I sent It. Also nice Report, well written glad you sent it to me very interesting read! Looking forward to meeting you , hope I will be able to return the favor in the future! jimmy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndArmored Posted June 10, 2019 Report Share Posted June 10, 2019 I didn't know the crank fire add-on was illegal. It was included in the slide fire ban.Any item which increases the rate of fire and the crank fire device falls under that law.Not certain all states did it though. On a side note, a number of years ago Merle purchase about 2 dozen of the 100 round repro drums, fixed them and sold them directly.I purchased one from him and it has never failed.Certain states banned crankfire's, but it was not covered with the bumpfire stock order. I don't know which states, but from memory NJ, FL and maybe some others. The version in the pic, I think he made since I've never seen one like that before? Unsurprisingly, California is another State which prohibits any mechanism that increases a semi-auto's ROF beyond that generated by a single human finger (lest you consider attaching a hummingbird's wing to the trigger). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now