New Thompson Purchase

[JSG]

I would like to introduce myself. While I am new to the Thompson "family" I am not new to the world of NFA firearms and devices. I recently purchased my first Thompson. A Bridgeport 1928A1 s/n 256028 in very good condition. I have attached photos off of the seller's website. I have not taken actual possession of the firearm yet because, as you know, that depends on the speed (or lack thereof) of the BATF. Not sure how long it takes now, but the seller estimates 5 to 6 months. In the meantime, I thought I would find out all on can on my new acquisition.

 

If anyone has any information such as the date of manufacture, etc. I would greatly appreciate it. I have always wanted a Thompson and one with a bit of historical significance as opposed to one made in the 70's or '80's.

 

I would like to thank you in advance for any information and advise you can give to a new Thompson owner.

 

Cordially,

Jeff

[Colt Chopper]

Very nice,

 

This is definately the write place to learn and get info.

 

Use the serach option at the top to find previous discussions on topics.

 

 

Welcome aboard !

[joseph12297]

Congrats Jeff!!!

 

Welcome to the Board.

Do you have any more pictures to share?

 

The more detailed pictures you have, the more info the experts here can assist with

 

Best regards,

Larry

[mnshooter]

Great looking gun.

"Bridgeport", though often used as a generic term, is also specifically used to describe the Auto Ordnance production Thompsons. These will have AO at the beginning of the serial number, instead of the S.

Your (and everyone else's) "Savage Thompson" does have "Auto Ordnance Corp.,Bridgeport, Connecticut" on the other side,

so call it whatever you want.

Production date? Probably '42, not later than early '43.

 

And, welcome to the board!

Edited August 24, 2014 by mnshooter

[Motorcar]

Frank Iannamico's book American Thunder 2 (see similar threads about Frank's incredible research) has everything you don't know about your new prize in it. To summarize, Savage produced 521,400 model '28 and '28A1 Thompsons from 1940 to 1942 when production of the M1 Thompson started. The final Savage production of '28A1 was in September 1942. By looking at small production variances you can get a decent idea of when it was built. Looks like a nice one, hope the transfer goes well for you.

[buzz]

I would call that gun a "Savage".

 

When people say "Bridgeport Thompson", it denotes that the gun was made by AO at the Bridgeport CT plant.

 

Savage made about 70% of the WWII Thompsons, at their plant in NY.

 

The A.O. Bridgeport plant just made uppers and lowers and assembled guns from parts made by other vendors.

 

So Savage was really the primary manufacturer.

[JSG]

Thank you all for your most helpful advise and kind words. I will purchase the book American Thunder 2 as recommended as I would like to learn as much as I can about this. For right now knowing it was manufactured sometime between 1940 and 1942 is a big help. I'm certain the book will tell me but just out of curiosity, what is the difference between 1928, a 1928A1 (mine) and a 1928M1? I "assume" the M is for military? Thanks.

[giantpanda4]

Nice gun, enjoy it.

But I believe the last info I hear the wait was more like 11-12 months. Sorry...

[jim c 351]

Congratulations and welcome to the club.

Very nice looking Thompson. When you take possession you can post more pics.

Jim C

[MrBill]

GiantPanda is correct .I have bought three Thompsons in the last two years and the form 4 approval has ranged from 10 to 13 months. Congrats on your new gun.

[Motorcar]

1928, a 1928A1 (mine) and a 1928M1?

 

No such thing as 1928M1, M1 then M1A1 replaced the '28A1 starting in October 1942. Lower production cost and fewer parts with same outcome, effective weapon against enemies. See Tom Hanks in "Saving Private Ryan" for M1/M1A1 Thompson.

 

Spend some time in the search function here and reading, you will find most things answered multiple times for the newby. Great info on your NFA times, other weapons, etc.

[mnshooter]

Nice gun, enjoy it.

But I believe the last info I hear the wait was more like 11-12 months. Sorry...

 

As mentioned in the Class III forum, happy to report two C&R form 4 transfers completed last month:

One was approved in seven months; the other in five months -from pending date.

Add another month from the initial date of mailing to go pending.

[jim c 351]

just out of curiosity, what is the difference between 1928, a 1928A1 (mine) and a 1928M1? I "assume" the M is for military? Thanks.

 

A 1928 is a Colt Navy and an early Savage with a verticle foregrip. A 1928A1 is a WW2 gun with a horizontal foregrip and sling and stamped 1928A1.

A 1928M1 is a repro Thompson made by Numrich Arms in West Hurley, NY.

Jim C

[Motorcar]

A 1928M1 is a repro Thompson made by Numrich Arms in West Hurley, NY

 

Do repros count? Never heard of that one, was it a non firing repro? Was it similar to the Kahr all steel non firing display models?

 

I was trying to give him a chronilogical production without going too far in depth to put his in timeline perspective.

[buzz]

You might as well read this to get the ball rolling -

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thompson_submachine_gun

 

It has a list of variants down at the bottom.

[jim c 351]

Do repros count? Never heard of that one, was it a non firing repro?

 

Count ? Count for what?? The West Hurley TSMG is a reproduction copy of the original TSMG made or contracted to be made by the original Auto Ordnance Corp, from 1921 to 1945.

I hardly think my above comment was too far in depth.

I hope I was able to help you.

Jim C

[hntrdarren]

Congratulations Jeff and welcome to the board.

 

Darren

[Motorcar]

Count for what?

 

Jim,

 

I'm not trying to be a smart alleck, since you threw it out there I was wondering if it was some dummy rifle WH produced in the '70's as a display model. I also looked in my April 1985 WH catolog and price list, it doesn't show a 1928M1. I thought it a legitimate question. Since the designation 1928M1 wasn't any war time production number I was aware of, I was trying to keep things in context for this new fellow. I guess we could toss in all the early Kahr designations as well as the current T1D, T5A etc. stuff that further confuses matters but I don't think that's helpful to him.

 

I don't want to restart the discussion of legitimate providence of the Thompson name through all the transactions since AO first started. That has been fully exhausted in years past.

Edited August 25, 2014 by Motorcar

[OCM]

Jeff-

Good job, Pal. Nice weapon. Since you will be waiting for the tax stamp, might look up maintenance on your L drum. Lot of info on that here in the forum.

 

OCM

[TSMGguy]

Nice looking piece JSG!

 

What are the markings visible on the receiver just in back of the model and serial numbers?

 

To answer your question, the M1928 basically had the same actuator as the M1921, and the same high rate of fire, around 900 RPM. The actuator was enlarged with the M1928A1, making if heavier, giving a reduced rate of fire. I see about 750 RPM with my '28A1 and original WWII ammunition. This is about the same as my M1, and faster than the M1A1s that I've fired.

[jim c 351]

Nice looking piece JSG!

 

What are the markings visible on the receiver just in back of the model and serial numbers?

 

To answer your question, the M1928 basically had the same actuator as the M1921, and the same high rate of fire, around 900 RPM. The actuator was enlarged with the M1928A1, making if heavier, giving a reduced rate of fire. I see about 750 RPM with my '28A1 and original WWII ammunition. This is about the same as my M1, and faster than the M1A1s that I've fired.

TSMGguy.

Slight correction. The 1928 and 1928A1 both had the same heavy actuator. If this wasn't the case then what did the 1928 accomplish??

Jim C

[darrylta]

Jim,

I'm about sure you're right, both the 1928 and 28A1 used the same weight actuator that was fashioned to match the 28 Navy Overstamp actuator.

The 28's used a triangle shaped hammer, the M1s used a half moon shaped hammer.

 

The 28A1 variant had changed with a revamped barrel, rear site, control levers and butt stock mods.

The actuator knob changed from knurled to a smooth finish. these mods were to make the A1s

cheaper to manufacture and to make them more battle ready/ for rough usage

My 2 cents,

Darryl

[OCM]

Jeff-

Here's what these guys are talking about-

 

Internals:

 

Top is a Colt 1921 actuator & buffer/spring setup

 

Bottom is the 28 actuator & buffer/spring set up with the added weight on the actuator, which is a Savage actuator & buffer pictured, same as in your Thompson.

 

( middle large spring & black buffer) is a PK , Diamond K product you can get later if needed.

Edited August 25, 2014 by OCM

[gijive]

Buzz,

 

Auto-Ordnance also manufactured many of the small parts in addition to the receivers and grip frames. They made actuators and many of the trigger group parts. American Thunder has a complete list of the AOC manufactured parts.

[buzz]

I'll have to get a copy of the book.

 

A lot of times a particular military gun will be worth more or less depending on who made it.

 

Like for example, WWII Winchester Garands are worth far more than WWII Springfield Armory Garands, even though the Winchesters have fairly rough build quality and the Springfields are superbly built.

 

The point that I was making is that for Thompsons, Savage was the primary Thompson manufacturer.

 

The OP should not think that a Bridgeport gun is worth more than a Savage.

 

AO tried to get Colt to restart manufacture of the Thompson and Colt refused to do it.

 

So Savage took the tooling from Colt and restarted manufacture at their existing firearm factory.

 

Then a year later Auto Ordnance set up a partial factory in an old brake lining factory and made some parts and assembled guns.

 

So you wouldn't pay any extra money for an AO made gun as compared to a Savage, in fact the most valuable guns (aside from Colts) would be the very early Savage.

Edited August 26, 2014 by buzz