Dadswwii Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 Had a weak moment and bought a M1 Thompson circa Fall 1942. My son and I are big WWI and WWII history lovers and my father (deceased) served in 3rd Army during WWII and carried a Thompson. I’m currently in the transfer process with my class 3 dealer. Will be a while given what I’ve been told before it’s truly mine and in my possession. I have seen and handled it. So trying to educate myself while waiting. Figured having a go to place for questions is in order, so I joined this board. I was recently at the Cody Wyoming BB museum and saw several Thompson’s there. A big recommend if you are ever near Cody Wyoming and want to see the history of armaments. I also M1 Garand circa 1940 in hand with a bayonet. Any insights you have are much welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantpanda4 Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Welcome! I was in Cody a few months back and second your recommendation. There is a Ruger made Thompson there - did you see that one? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
First Sergeant Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Welcome to the board Dadswwii . You definitely came to the right place for answers. The amount of knowledge members here have is astounding. Three weeks ago I was also in Cody. Great museum and displays. While there I had a sit down with the former Curator, Ashley Hlebinsky; who was fascinating to chat with. They do have several Thompsons on display but there are a few errors in their Thompson displays/arrangements. I may address the errors at a later date with them. Pictures of your M1 are always welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Dadswwii,Welcome to the Thompson forum. And congratulations on your new M1 Thompson. I recommend purchasing a copy of Frank Iannamico's book, American Thunder III, to learn more about your M1 Thompson. Frank's book is the authority on World War II Thompson guns and is available on Amazon.com. You may also want to join one or both of the Thompson collector associations. Search the forums for more information about The American Thompson Association and the Thompson Collector's Association. Both are great organization with yearly Show & Shoots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadswwii Posted October 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Welcome! I was in Cody a few months back and second your recommendation. There is a Ruger made Thompson there - did you see that one?Yes. I was flabbergasted at their overall collection. I mean what were people thinking with some of the sizes....I was just amazed. I think it actually what tipped me over for the Thompson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndArmored Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) My father was also in Patton's 3rd Army. Pop passed away last year at 92. His folded flag holds the high ground in my office. Glad to hear you're sharing "your old man's" legacy with your son. Some moments of weakness are worth it. Welcome to the board. Edited October 28, 2020 by 2ndArmored Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klocker Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Welcome. You will definitely find answers to your questions here and I would say pictures of your M1 are surely welcome. Do you know what division your dad was in? @2ndArmored In regards to your nickname, I suppose your father was in the 2nd armored division? They rolled by not far from where I live on september 4th 1944. Here are a few pictures of them passing through town: https://retrorixensart.com/2018/09/11/genval-liberee-septembre-1944/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vettom Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Welcome to the Thompson Forum. This has been one of the most helpful forums I have been a part of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gio Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Klocker, I enjoyed the pictures. Thanks for posting. Frank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSU Tiger Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Glad to have you here. The knowledge here is tremendous. I second TD's recommendation for "American Thunder III." It not only covers the weapons but parts and accessories like magazines and slings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autorotate Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 I believe Frank may have copies of his book for sale that he would ship to you directly. It’s an excellent source of information. He frequents the boards so will let him reply or you could PM him to see what he has available. He has also been known to sign the books if asked nicely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The1930sRust Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Welcome! There is never a "weak moment"! What is your M1 serial number range? We really wanna see pictures! R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adg105200 Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Welcome to the board! You definitely came to the right place! The wealth of knowledge here is incalculable. Definitely pictures when you can! Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted October 29, 2020 Report Share Posted October 29, 2020 Dadswwii, As others have also said, welcome to the board! David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadswwii Posted October 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2020 I’ll try get some pics this weekend. Work has been busy.First question. Any special cleaning kit for this and what oil(s)? Anything else? My guess is Frank’s book covers cleaning and routine maintenance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSU Tiger Posted October 31, 2020 Report Share Posted October 31, 2020 (edited) I’ll try get some pics this weekend. Work has been busy.First question. Any special cleaning kit for this and what oil(s)? Anything else? My guess is Frank’s book covers cleaning and routine maintenance. As far as cleaning and lubrication goes, there's a different answer from every Thompson owner/shooter. I use Hoppe's 9 for cleaning after shooting with 3"X3" patches. A weapons cleaning brush comes in handy for hard to reach places. I use Hoppe's oil and smear a bit of white lithium grease on the underside of the bolt at the sear notches before shooting. Some use plain motor oil. Really any commercially available cleaning rod of suitable length will work, A brass GI rod is usually under $25 and is threaded 8-32 for jags and brushes. Before storing, I wipe the outside down with Birchwood Casey's "Sheath" or "Barricade." The wood can be wiped with a light application of linseed or tung oil maybe once a year. I also picked up a few spare extractors for "just in case." Edited October 31, 2020 by LSU Tiger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadswwii Posted January 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) Sorry I haven’t posted back with pics but here it is: http://www.sturmgewehr.com/forums/index.php?/topic/14144-wwii-cr-bridgeport-m1-thompson/ im still waiting for it to clear...sigh....but I’ve got 2000 rounds waiting to be shot. can’t wait. Sure COVID is slowing the process. Not a museum piece but birthdate is right around the time my Dad served. I will try to post more often. I’m sure once I have it in hand I will have tons of questions. I did go over and see the gun from class 3 dealer who has it. I was totally blown away on how heavy it was. Cudos to troops carry this during their service. My M1 Garand seems lighter. Edited January 19, 2021 by Dadswwii 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted January 19, 2021 Report Share Posted January 19, 2021 Congratulations again! There is a lot to learn but you will enjoy every minute of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
av8tr Posted January 19, 2021 Report Share Posted January 19, 2021 I own serial number 309380, also made by AOC. It too is marked M1 and has the early unprotected sight. Interestingly, Frank talks about these unusual M1s on page 268 of American Thunder II. Mine has a mismatched trigger frame as well, in fact, it is Savage made. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted January 19, 2021 Report Share Posted January 19, 2021 The results of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request may show some early similarities in the registration history of each Thompson. Most likely, each gun went their separate ways after the initial registration on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). Board member av8tr can file a FOIA request today. Dadswwii will have to wait until he has possession and the registration process is complete. The results could be very interesting. All good stuff!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wv1928 Posted January 19, 2021 Report Share Posted January 19, 2021 WELCOME TO THE BOARD. TONS OF INFORMATION HERE. IT'S THE BEST YOU WILL FIND. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadswwii Posted January 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2021 I own serial number 309380, also made by AOC. It too is marked M1 and has the early unprotected sight. Interestingly, Frank talks about these unusual M1s on page 268 of American Thunder II. Mine has a mismatched trigger frame as well, in fact, it is Savage made. Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadswwii Posted January 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2021 Welcome. You will definitely find answers to your questions here and I would say pictures of your M1 are surely welcome. Do you know what division your dad was in? @2ndArmored In regards to your nickname, I suppose your father was in the 2nd armored division? They rolled by not far from where I live on september 4th 1944. Here are a few pictures of them passing through town: https://retrorixensart.com/2018/09/11/genval-liberee-septembre-1944/My dad kept a diary and I’m in the process of moving it to digital media and adding pictures and information to it. If anyone is interested in reading what I have so far PM me your email and I will send it to you. It’s interesting if you have an interest in WWII. He was in the 529th Engineer Light Pontoon Company. I also hired a research to get more info on his service....it’s a long story to put here but I can’t wait until he completes the research. Apparently every unit had a person who was required to write what happened each day. So, the information could be quite large. what’s odd after doing some of my own research, my Dad must have been assigned initially to 3rd Army but his unit was transferred to 7th Army. I’m hoping the research gives me more info on this. I have all his medals and insignias. He has both 3rd Army and 7th Army patches. Deep mystery. I also have some booty he came home with. Two Nazi flags he got at Nuremberg, a collar label badge from the Hermon Goring Division (I think), a Nazi party pin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadswwii Posted January 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2021 The results of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request may show some early similarities in the registration history of each Thompson. Most likely, each gun went their separate ways after the initial registration on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). Board member av8tr can file a FOIA request today. Dadswwii will have to wait until he has possession and the registration process is complete. The results could be very interesting. All good stuff!!! Cool...I’d be interested on any info of this gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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