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Machinegunboards.com Project: Thompson Data Sheets


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I want to start a project for the benefit of the Thompson community, and it has been mentioned by TD here before, in regards to creating a Thompson Data Sheet. The Carbine Club has a data sheet that is used to research M1/M2 Carbines, and it's time for us to have one for TSMG's. Preferably, I'd like it to be a one page, self explanatory sheet that can be filled out by hand, and then scanned, or maybe at some point, we could have one that is completely fillable online.

 

The intent would be to create a repository on this board where pdf files can be stored, and listed by manufacturer and model, and could be available for anyone to view. It would primarily be for researching Colt, Savage,, and Bridgeport Thompsons, but could potentially also be used for West Hurleys.

 

There would be many things we would want to identify, and I propose that it be organized in 5 sections, as follows:

 

  • Receiver
  • Lower Frame
  • Barrel and Compensator
  • Buttstock
  • Pistol Grip, Horizontal, or Vertical Foregrip

I'd like to start putting together a list of characteristics that we would want to note on the data sheet. My first run of suggestions is listed below, and I'm soliciting your input for others.

 

Receiver:

 

  • Serial Number
  • Exact Model Marking (Including whether any of the markings are stamped vs. rolled)
  • Left side markings - Inspector, Ordnance Flaming Bomb or Wheel
  • Prick Punch at top of receiver nose? If so, what location?
  • Right side markings - Colt patent markings, Identify Savage markings based on TD's 4 receiver types listed in "Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story"
  • Right side inspector markings
  • Any markings inside the receiver
  • Type of ejector
  • Actuator type
  • Actuator markings
  • Actuator knob knurling
  • Bolt type (M1 vs. M1A1), also bright vs. blued
  • Any manufacturer marking on bottom of receiver nose
  • Witness Line? if so, does it line up exactly with witness line on barrel?
  • Type of grip hanger (Milled or riveted)

Lower Frame:

  • Type of fire control levers
  • Type of fire control markings (Detail Colt differences)
  • Serial number on lower frame, and any special characteristics (Crossed-out, Restamped)
  • Factory markings under pistol grip

Barrel and Compensator:

  • Finned or smooth
  • Shape of fins
  • Blued or parkerized?
  • Is the barrel finish significantly different than the receiver?
  • Does it have a "P" marking
  • Is "P" marking prick punched?
  • Any markings in between fins?
  • Compensator? Pinned? Compensator Type?
  • Front sight manufacturer marking?

Buttstock:

  • Buttplate assembly number? Does it match a number on the buttstock?
  • Latch characteristics
  • Reinforcement bolt or screws?
  • Sling swivels? Sling swivel type?
  • Any patches or other repairs?

Pistol Grip, Horizontal, or Vertical Foregrip:

  • Pistol grip manufacturer marking, or none?
  • Fit of grip to frame
  • Horizontal foregrip marking
  • Vertical foregrip marking
  • Channel measurement (1/2" or 3/4")
  • Any patches or other repairs?
  • Horizontal foregrip - Is a sling swivel mounted anywhere but on the bottom?
  • Vertical foregrip - Does it have sling swivel added, and if so, where?

I think this could take a while to put together with the appropriate visuals, and I'm looking to see if anyone is interested in helping put it together. Preferably, I'm looking for someone who is good at line drawing. I have one main current project that I'm working on, but want to get this started to see if we can start gathering information that would be useful for research.

 

Your input is appreciated. Please feel free to add any suggestions.

 

Thanks!

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

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David,

Is the list to be only for complete guns, or separate trigger frames etc?

 

Andrew

 

David,

I think this would be a good addition,specially if the lower is numbered, to help others maybe match a receiver to a lower. Just my .02¢

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David, three other things:

 

Description of tops of rivets: flat or dimpled plus whether they are bright or finished.

 

Which direction is the P on the barrel facing, is it readable from the rear or the muzzle?

 

Is the P on the barrel serif or sans serif type?

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Thank you very much for the suggestions. I also want to particularly thank Bridgeport28A1 for information that he has forwarded to me in the mail.

 

To answer an earlier question, I think we could include lowers only, if we think their inclusion could yield valuable data.

 

I have started on the data sheet, and will update as I can.

 

Thanks!

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

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If I may be so bold, you could include status:

Transferable

Dealer Sample

Dewat

Parts kit

Displayed in museum or by law enforcement

Dummy gun (maybe?)

 

What about a place to store photographs detailing anything of note. Example, the M1A1 that I previously owned had the GEG double stamped.

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If I may be so bold, you could include status:

Transferable

Dealer Sample

Dewat

Parts kit

Displayed in museum or by law enforcement

Dummy gun (maybe?)

 

What about a place to store photographs detailing anything of note. Example, the M1A1 that I previously owned had the GEG double stamped.

 

DougStump,

 

For the photos, I have another idea, but it may be a little while. I need to enable the Gallery feature for this software suite, but I need to first do a large upgrade. Once that is done, then we can talk about photos.

 

Thanks!

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

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I posted this suggestion back in 2015, and someone repsonded in a post with a link to a data sheet that already existed for the Thompson. I saw it posted at work and didn’t click on the link but by the time I got home and remembered to check it they had deleted it. No one else respond. Oh well.
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I posted this suggestion back in 2015, and someone repsonded in a post with a link to a data sheet that already existed for the Thompson. I saw it posted at work and didnt click on the link but by the time I got home and remembered to check it they had deleted it. No one else respond. Oh well.

http://www.machinegunboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18293&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

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