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My Collection of 1930s Lawman Guns


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Good day,

Here is my collection of old firearms of the types used by the FBI and local law enforcement throughout the 1930s. I hope I was able to manage the picture part properly.
First up is my pistol collection:
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The top one is a Colt Police Positive in .38 S&W with a serial number that dates it to 1916.
Below that is a Colt 1903 Hammerless Pocket Pistol in .32 Auto (1917) This one, I don't think was used by LE, but it's the first gun I ever got, so it has enough sentimental value for me to add it in here.
On the left is my favorite, the Colt Police Positive Special (1916). This pistol handles like a dream, and she's in great condition.

Next is my Winchester Model 12
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I reallllllllly hope this picture doesn't come in upside down (the thumbnial shows it as being upside down...sooooo, that's a bit worrisome).
This gun is in amazing shape and it's really tight. Serial number dates it to 1927. It says "FULL" on the barrel, which I imagine means full choke, which I can't imagine would have been factory-installed on an 18" barrel like this, so I'm willing to bet it was cut down at a later date (though I know not when). It also has a plastic Winchester buttplate which is attached with phillips head screws, so I think that was put on later. But, boy, do I love this gun. The Model 12 is accomonaied by what I was told are two pre-war boxes of 12 gauge ammo (if you have reason to doubt the boxes or their contents are pre-war please let me know, so I have some idea as to how to date such boxes) a well as some loose 12 Gauge No. 1 buck paper shells. Again, no idea how to date paper shells, so let me know if you have any thoughts on their age.

Next is my Fed Labs Tear Gas Gun
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There are a lot of aspects that make me think it's not 1930s. There are also some bits about it (low serial number, no "201-Z marking", etc.) that do make me think it's somewhat early...just not early enough.

Still, neat to have.

Alright. Here she is. My newest acquisition. A Winchester 1907 .351 SLR.
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I do, so love this gun. The serial number dates it to 1909. I got it for a decent price...well before shipping and tax and transfer fees anyway. It has a Lyman sight on it, as well, and I'm not certain if that was put on by the factory, installed early on, or put on more recently. While I know the FBI used this gun, I am unsure if they would have had the Lyman sight on there...but it is nice. She's in good condition. I have not yet fired her, but the listing indicate she shoots just fine.

Also pictured is some loose ammo that I got at a gun show the week before, as well as a box of Remington .351 round (35 rounds left in it), which I think dates from the 60s. The seller told me the box came from a vault in Sing Sing. True? I know not. But it sure is in good condition. Also pictured is something that has proven to be an invaluable resource: "Winchester Model 07 Self-Loading .351 Caliber its Past and its Future with Modern Brass Bullets and Powders" by Leonard Speckin. It details everything I need to know about reloading this gun and where to get the components for it...which will be great when I learn how to reload.

Finally, we have this:

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It's a modern reproduction of the FBI Thompson hard case (sold by IMA-USA).

And what's inside that case? That's right:
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...part of a Thompson...you know, the parts that aren't rare or exciting. I don't foresee ever having enough money to own an original 1930s Thompson Submachine Gun. I hope some day, to get one of those modern-made Thompson SBR Deluxes to keep in this box. Probably get some new furniture for it.

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Sprawled out in front of the case is all of the original pieces I have:
Three war-time clips and a clip I'm pretty sure is pre-war.
Stock, pistol grip, some pre-war boxes of .45 ammo (by the way, theammoboxguy on e-Bay makes osme fine reproductions of these boxes), a bunch of hardware, and a Cutts Compensator.

Also pictured is a new-made vertical foregrip (also IMA-USA) and an airsoft drum clip...yeah, I'll replace that some day.

Not as impressive some of the collections I've seen on here, but for the first quarter-century of my life, it's a good start.

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Could you post closer images of the left side plate of the Fed Labs gun? Is it marked Pittsburg or Saltsburg for the address? On the base of the long range site, I think left side, is it marked Marbles or is it plain?

 

Thanks for sharing the collection. Very nice to see.

 

Ron

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Very nice collection.

I noticed that the box of 351 ammo is the 177 gr FMJ load. You don't see this load very often. No doubt used by police and prisons, not hunters.

The peep sight on he 07 looks post WW2.

Congratulations on a nice collection.

Jim C

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Thank you everyone, for the kind words.

Ron:
Here is a closeup of the side plate.
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It says Pittsburgh, PA.

There are no markings at the base of the receiver.

David:
Thank you. I'm not sure why they didn't come in right the first time.

Jim:
You wouldn't have any clue about what date range that box of ammo might be from, have you? The guy I got it from conjectured that it was from the 1960s.
I have the creeping fear you are correct as regards to the Lyman sight. I think I recall hearing that this particular model was introduced in 1935, and was produced until 1956. And of course, this particular one might have been installed even later than that. I had been considering taking it off, but, of course, that would leave at least a couple unsightly holes. Another told me to just enjoy my gun, and keep my eyes open for another 1907 without a Lyman sight later down the road.


There are two other things in my collection I wanted to share, but could not get to. Granted they are not firearms, but I think they fit with this thread alright.

The first is a reproduction of a WWI U.S. gas mask. I have an original bag around here somewhere, but I seem to have misplaced it.

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The reason I got this? trying to recreate the look of these Newton (MA) police officers as they do a drill in 1935.
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Finally, an acquisition from e-Bay. Is it original? I know not. What I do know is the following:
1) It's heavy as all get out.
2) It has no markings or tags that I can find (perhaps you learned scholars know of a hidden spot where I could find more info).
3) It has a navy blue wool shell.
4) It does not offer side protection, so, I wager, this is not the bullet proof vest that was advertised in my reproduction 1934 Federal Laboratories catalog.
5) One of the side straps on the back plate is missing, so it cannot be worn properly.
6) There is no six.
7) I'm not sure I would want to wear it and risk damaging such an eat piece ( would use it as inspiration to make a repro, though).
8) Each of the steel plates seems to overlap each other ever so slightly.
9) At least in the front, the plates seem to be contained in a leather barrier between them and the shell and vest lining.
10) The back piece fastens to the front piece via two snaps on each shoulder.

If anybody has any information on this type of vest, I would, of course, be very interested. Thank you.

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Brick, As far as the ammo box is concerned, compare your box to the boxes on the Remington forum, link below. As far as the rear sight is concerned, I installed a similar sight on a Win M94 in 1970. It was a new sight. Jim C http://thegreatmodel8.remingtonsociety.com/?page_id=332

Edited by jim c 351
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I'm sure Ron Brock will chime in about the body armor when he sees it. Good stuff!

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

Very nice vest (did it come out of Wisconsin)? It looks very similar to one I have that was made by DunRite. The label for mine is on the inside near the neck (on the front half). Mine also separates at the top with the four snaps. I have a different vest that has only one set of snaps to separate. It was made by American Armor Corp, if I recall. I'm fairly certain all the Federal vests had side plates with them. There should be a label or traces of one somewhere on the inside of your vest (maybe in the pockets)?

 

Regarding the gas gun, it is one of the later Pittsburg guns. Earlier ones had a raised cheek comb (step in the rear of the frame at the top where the buttstock meets). Also they had checkered grips. I recently just got an example like yours (ser 2050) that I initially thought was a Saltsburg era gun (straight stock). I need to dig out my notes to see exactly when they moved locations. Originally I though mid 50s, but I think we had located evidence that the move was still in mid to late 40s. I'm certain your gun is not 30s, but still perfectly acceptable to display with a Thompson. Keep in mind Federal Laboratories was the sole distributor of the Thompson for a while so there is a nice connection.

 

Great stuff. We have lots more posts over the Gangster section of the form with Tear Gas guns and vests covered in some detail. I need to get back to documenting and posting. I think I can pretty well document the lineage of Federal Guns now and hopefully spur some new examples coming out of the woodwork (or not so I don't have to search out any other variations).

 

Ron

Edited by ron_brock
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Well, the good news is that a fairly high percentage of transferable Thompson submachine guns were owned by law enforcement agencies/organizations. For example, of the five Thompsons that I have been blessed with being able to own at one time or another, the only non-LEO example was a West Hurley gun. Of course, the bad news is the cost.

 

In any case, you've got a good LEO equipment collection going there. Enjoy it, and I hope you'll be able to add a Thompson submachine gun soon.

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  • 8 months later...

So I didn't realize that there had been a response to my thread since my last post in it on July 1st. My apologies for not responding. Chalk it up to obliviousness, not poor manners.

 

Ron:
I have searched in all those areas (and then some) and there is no tag, markings, or label of any kind. If I recall the seller I got it from was based out of Michigan.
I got a new FL gas gun, recently, that fits the description you laid out eight months ago. Picture below.

 

Merry Ploughboy:

Thank you. I truly appreciate it.

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Edited by Brick Davis
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