Floridac3 Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 OK, learning more about my new chopper.. I guess it isn't a bridgeport guns after all, the S/N has an S prefix. This means Savage made it, correct? Also, it was sold to me as an AO gun with Savage parts (fixed up after the war I guess), but the upper and lower have matching S/N's. Is there a S/N anywhere else I can look for, to see if the gun is all matching? I assume this increases value slightly? Thanks! F3C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye_Joe Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 You will have to remove the barrel and front grip rail to find the "Secret" serial number http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/ph34r.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floridac3 Posted October 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 QUOTE (Hawkeye_Joe @ Oct 30 2004, 08:21 AM) You will have to remove the barrel and front grip rail to find the "Secret" serial number http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/ph34r.gif Serious, or are you just messin' with me? If so, can I do this myself? I definitely want to know if all my #'s match. Also, how much does having a "matching" gun effect value over other? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merry Ploughboy Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 The serial no. on the receiver under the grip rail is the same as the one on the side of the receiver unless the receiver side number was changed. "Secret no." is to detect what the number really was when alterations are made (e.g., number ground off on the receiver side). If there's no apparent alteration, I wouldn't bother looking under the grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sig Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I am not sure I know Colt Thompson's have the s/n under the grip. Can anyone confirm that subsequent production (other than Colt) also followed this pratice? michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merry Ploughboy Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Floridac3, On the question of matching upper and lower numbers vis-a-vis value of a Savage 28 Thompson. My opinion - doesn't hurt, probably helps, how much depends on what buyer and seller decide when transaction transpires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I'm assuming that you have a Savage-made M1928A1; information is kind of sparse on your original post. The gun should have a Bridgeport address on the receiver, even though the Savage plant was in Utica, New York. McGuire's Auto Ordnance Corp. was headquartered in Bridgeport, where the AOC plant was later opened. If the serials are applied in exactly the same size, style, and depth on both the receiver and frame, it is a matching numbered gun, as the same dies were used at the same time and by the same person to apply the serials at the factory. I wouldn't try to get the gripmount off; it's a bear of a job, best left to those with specialized knowledge and the proper tools. Also, the original targeting of the gun would be effected, which you'll probably find to be "right on", unless the gun is worn or has been damaged. It was not uncommon for AOC guns to have a large proportion of Savage-made parts. Savage-made guns will normally have almost all parts marked with the Savage "S" except those typically made by subcontractors, including the sling swivels, actuator, wood, rear sight, and compensator. Matching serials probably mean that the gun never went through a depot level rebuild, as no effort was made to keep matching numbered receivers and frames together during these overhauls. To my mind, matching serials really enhance the value of the gun and the enjoyment of owning it, although these days with so few guns trickling onto the market, choice is really limited. TSMGs get sold immediately for the big bucks that would probably get passed over if it weren't for the cache factor. I hope that you enjoy the gun for years to come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merry Ploughboy Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I've only looked at one WH '28 up close and it did not have serial numbering on the trigger frame either. Those more familiar with the animal may clarify if only the of side of the receiver of the WH MGs were numbered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21 smoker Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 My WH28 does not have a second serial number on the trigger frame,my 21 does ,but my Savage 28 used to until the arsonal rebuild...but soon will have it again thanks to PK and a little of his magic...so matching numbers on a wartime built Thompson is rare and a good thing for you...HTH... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gijive Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 QUOTE (PhilOhio @ Oct 31 2004, 11:00 AM)Is that right? I believe all the 1928A1s made in the WW-II era have the hidden number under the grip mount, as mine does, although I'm not sure about the post-war WH guns. PhilOhio, All the Savage and Auto-Ordnance made 1928A1 Model guns had the serial number stamped under the grip mount slot on the front of the receiver. I haven't examined every gun made, obviously, but every 1928 receiver nose I have seen has the number stamped on it. The WH guns did not have the serial number on the grip frame or under the grip mount slot. The M1 series guns didn't have the serial number under the grip mount slot, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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