Worcester Mass Guns

[tinman13kup]

Just curious, are Kahr Thompsons stamped "Kahr" anywhere on the gun, or is it that all guns stamped Worcester Mass are Kahr guns? I acquired a sa tsmg a couple years ago and never did much research on it. It had some f-t-feed issues from the drum, which I have since dealt with. Other than a trgigger pull like squeezing a sponge, it shoots just fine. The serial number is KA 17xx, which I don't know if it stands for KAhr, or is just coincidental. All other stamps on the receiver are just AO, and the drum that came with it is a WH.

[T Hound]

Good question. My Kahr Thompsons have "KD" rather than "KA" so We will probably have to refer this one to Kahr Arms to see for sure;

but, it certainly is reasonable that "K" in the serial number would refer to Kahr. I'll shoot them an email and see what they say.

 

Update: Okay, I sent Kahr Arms a question about the "K" in the serial number.

We probably won't hear back for awhile. I will post the answer if and when I

get it. As for the name Kahr on the receiver or elsewhere I don't see it on both

of my Kahr Thompsons. I don't find any reference to Kahr besides the K.

 

Probably Justin moon, the founder of Kahr Arms, and it's CEO didn't want to directly reference this name because it sounds foreign but actually it is German! Justine Moon who is Korean-American, having immigrated here with his father "Reverend" Moon, deliberately choose a German name because he likes German engineering. He was probably also mindful that people would know the he is the son of the Reverend Moon of the South Korean Unification Church (No I'm not a member and wouldn't be). He was educated at Harvard wih an economics degree but was a gun enthusiast

from an early age and so he started Kahr Arms. Kahr is owned by a company that is part of a Unification Church business group in South Korea. They also own "Gingseng". But other biographys of him say that he is the owner of Kahr Arms. Not exactly what most Americans would want to hear, but I am glad SOMEBODY is keeping it up though. Certainly what he is doing is in the tradition of any American entreprenuer. Today's Thompson SAs are still made by American gunsmiths and a company that is American despite ownership connections by what people have called a cult. I don't care as long as they faithfully make the Thompsons as outlined in the original patents.

Edited January 19, 2013 by T Hound

[tinman13kup]

Thanks for the reply T Hound. I was thinking the "KA" prefix on the serial number might stand for KAhr, but now think it might be (K)ahr (A)rms. Makes more sense anyhow if it is a mfg designator.

 

The gun itself itself isn't too bad in the machining end, but not so great on the blueing end. The drum issues could be attributed to someone winding it up like a 30day clock, bending the fingers in it. Still, it's an amusing little brick. It weighs a lot compared to modern rifles and seems a bit unweildy, but no more than some of my other guns. Everyone that tries shooting it starts off trying to shouder it, trying to look through the sights, then inevitably goes off the hip. Guess that's another advantage of an automatic.....only having to hold it up for a few seconds to empty the drum

[WW2Collector39-45]

My 1927a1 has the KH prefixed serial #. I also have been curiouse about what the prefixes are.

[dalbert]

Sounds like I need to start a Kahr Thompson serial number thread...

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

[jhm]

My Kahr Thompson M1 does not have "Kahr" on it anywhere! Manufactured (May/2010) got delivered to my local Class 3 in (June/2010) then transfered to me 6mos. later.....

 

On one side it has:

AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION

WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS USA

 

 

 

 

the other side has:

THOMPSON SEMI-AUTOMATIC

CARBINE .45M1

NO. KC578X

Edited January 20, 2013 by jhm

[T Hound]

Thanks for the reply T Hound. I was thinking the "KA" prefix on the serial number might stand for KAhr, but now think it might be (K)ahr (A)rms. Makes more sense anyhow if it is a mfg designator.

 

The gun itself itself isn't too bad in the machining end, but not so great on the blueing end. The drum issues could be attributed to someone winding it up like a 30day clock, bending the fingers in it. Still, it's an amusing little brick. It weighs a lot compared to modern rifles and seems a bit unweildy, but no more than some of my other guns. Everyone that tries shooting it starts off trying to shouder it, trying to look through the sights, then inevitably goes off the hip. Guess that's another advantage of an automatic.....only having to hold it up for a few seconds to empty the drum

 

Well we will know sometime this week because Kahr sent me an automated response acknowledgement of my question. It says they will

get to my question as soon as possible. But I no longer think KA means Kahr Arms because BOTH my guns have KD. However, it is

reasonable to believe that the "K" referes to Kahr.

 

And Dalbert, I agree, we probably need a Kahr/Auto-Ordance serial number thread since

it is now a part of Thompson manufacturing history. And what a colorful history it has been.

Edited January 20, 2013 by T Hound

[Embalmer]

I had a ka# a kc# and now have a kb#. I think kahr sn'd like Germans did in WWII ka0001-xxxx kb0001-xxxx ect

[T Hound]

Now THAT is an interesting observation and opinion. I think I will ask Kahr Arms about that!

[T Hound]

Okay here is the reply I got back from Kahr and it is NOT what I expected:

 

Our serial numbers are not codified. There is no special meaning behind the serial numbers.

 

Thank You,

Lori Bowen

Tommy Gun Shop Representative

lori.bowen@kahr.com

508-795-3919 ext.

 

Now, the question is, are we to believe this? So she is saying the "K" letter in the seriel number has no special designation. Do any of you

out there have an "A" at the start of your seriel number then? Or for that matter, ANY letter other than "K" at the start?

[RoscoeTurner]

I don't care as long as they faithfully make the Thompsons as outlined in the original patents.

 

Customers are still waiting for that to happen.

[T Hound]

I don't care as long as they faithfully make the Thompsons as outlined in the original patents.

 

Customers are still waiting for that to happen.

 

Well Kahr Can't now can they since the democrats in Congress made all new machine guns sales to civilians illegal.

Of course the patents I was talking about are the N/K Auto-Ordnance semi-auto patents. I haven't had issues with my factory

made---only my home made Semi-auto Thompson when I made the mistake of putting a West Hurley

Magazine catch into it. If you specifically know anything different they are doing, besides poor quality control occasionally, then

that would be good information to know brother.

Edited January 21, 2013 by T Hound

[mnshooter]

My Kahr Thompson M1 does not have "Kahr" on it anywhere! Manufactured (May/2010) got delivered to my local Class 3 in (June/2010) then transfered to me 6mos. later.....

 

On one side it has:

AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION

WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS USA

 

 

 

 

the other side has:

THOMPSON SEMI-AUTOMATIC

CARBINE .45M1

NO. KC578X

 

So, is this a semi?, Just trying to understand why this had to go through C3 dealer and have a waiting period?

EDIT: NEVER MIND! I just remembered there is such a thing as a SBR. :butt:

Edited January 24, 2013 by mnshooter

[T Hound]

 

So, is this a semi?, Just trying to understand why this had to go through C3 dealer and have a waiting period?

EDIT: NEVER MIND! I just remembered there is such a thing as a SBR. :butt:

 

Well it would, as a semi, if it has a SBR and that was normal for Thompsons.

[troll]

Check under the reciever top (inside) near ther rear sight for additional stamping - mine has one.