firearm Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 I have someone asking about an early West Hurley Thompson I have stuck back in the vault. Yes I know all the everyone thinks they are junk but the guy is simply looking for a shooter. This is a very early 3 digit serial numbered weapon and that is why I kept it. What is interesting are the markings on the receiver. It is marked "US Model 1928A1" and not "US Model 1928". The form 4 also states that the model is a "1928A1". The serial number area is marked "No. A.O.C. 271A" instead of "NO. 271A". The bolt has the "S" Savage marking and it has a Lyman" sight assembly. Wood is pretty nice. I am curious as to why it would be marked differently than the rest of the Hurley 28's that have come through here. I also noticed a "R" stamped in the magazine well. Anyone know what it stands for? I am suggesting to the buyer than he strip all of the Hurley parts out (except bolt) and install a nice clean set of WWII internals. Curious as to what you guys think? A handful of pics attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeRanger Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 (edited) I'm no expert but I've both heard and read that the early WH guns had much better machining than the later ones. The big problem area is the Blish slots in the upper receiver. If the corner at intersection of the angled slot and the longitudinal track is sharp like on a Savage/AOC as opposed to being radiused like on later WH examples and if all the machining is true to the bore, then I can see no reason why a WH gun with GI guts wouldn't make a more than acceptable shooter. Edited May 12, 2021 by StrangeRanger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 (edited) Nick,Not another one from the vault! It appears to me that you have an early Auto-Ordnance West Hurley 1928 Thompson. I believe the nomenclature markings on your West Hurley are indicative of the 1975 first year production guns. Published sources for West Hurley serial numbers show serial numbers 100A through 298A manufactured in 1975. Based on my picture file, the nomenclature markings on your No. A.O.C. 271A are typical of this first year production. I am attaching a picture of your West Hurley's brother. Perhaps it is owned by a forum member. Years ago I collected a number of pictures of the early West Hurley guns in an effort to understand the nomenclature differences. I can't say for sure when the early nomenclature markings ended. Edited May 12, 2021 by TD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firearm Posted May 12, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 (edited) I bought 270A and 271A in August of 1993 from a dealer in NH. BMG Sales, Concord, NH. Sold 270A to my lawyer in Grapevine, Texas. Edited May 12, 2021 by firearm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inertord Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 Some additional early West Hurley AOC Prefix Serial Numbers. My guess is that the marking dies broke at some point early on and the AOC was dropped thereafter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 The first year of production for AOC West Hurley Thompson guns was 1975, not 1995. I have no idea about the significance of the "R" marking on the receiver. Was this "R" marking on both 270A and 271A? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firearm Posted May 12, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 (edited) Don't know what was on #270A. Long gone. Edited May 12, 2021 by firearm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpw43 Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 Ditto on the Blish lock slots. Mine got so bad the bolt would lock in the forward position and would not move. The hammer pin actually got stuck in a gouged out area of the slot. PK worked his magic and it's all good now.In those photos it looks like the recoil spring is bent. Mine was like that, too, before it was repaired.I'm no expert but I've both heard and read that the early WH guns had much better machining than the later ones. The big problem area is the Blish slots in the upper receiver. If the corner at intersection of the angled slot and the longitudinal track is sharp like on a Savage/AOC as opposed to being radiused like on later WH examples and if all the machining is true to the bore, then I can see no reason why a WH gun with GI guts wouldn't make a more than acceptable shooter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Iannamico Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 I received these documents many years ago from Ira Trast of Numrich They did tell me that they often honored requests for "special" serial numbers. This is why you may see a number similar to a WWII gun or some odd number not listed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colt21a Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 (edited) 8780a and 6444a 177a had those, All special order. Bought over 25 from Ira.in both models,RON K. Edited May 24, 2021 by colt21a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got Uzi Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 Mine was 415A I can honestly say I miss that gun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vettom Posted May 13, 2021 Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 FWIW, I really love my 1984 WH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Posted May 13, 2021 Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 I have one of the 1986 TF suffixes in the 340 range that started out papered as a .22. It's not marked with an "A" though. It jammed like crazy and Ira Trast accepted it back to re-cut the tight chamber and change out the cheesy rear site. It then ran okay with lots of grease and oil. The final fix was by PK. PK also fit a GI steel butt-stock slide to replace the aluminum one. Deerslayer provided new wood and fit the stock to the GI slide. Runs like a top now with a 28 actuator and one of PK's 21 actuator/buffer pilot sets. Operation is noticeably smoother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full auto 45 Posted May 13, 2021 Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 Mine was made in 77 and has all military parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67ray Posted May 16, 2021 Report Share Posted May 16, 2021 Mine is an M1 and runs like a top. Not having the Blish lock and the experience of building all the 1928's is why the M1s have a much better record for running well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
First Sergeant Posted May 24, 2021 Report Share Posted May 24, 2021 My first was 406 and much later 153. The 1st year production gun (153) has the AOC and A1 markings while the 2nd year production gun does not. Both had USGI parts except for the barrel and the buffer pilot. 406 came with a modified M1 mag catch that had a lug attached (brazed I believe) to engage a drum mag. Discovered that gem 30 years after purchase. It's run 100% from day one. 153 had a full PK treatment to 21 configuration but sadly, never gets shot anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colt21a Posted May 24, 2021 Report Share Posted May 24, 2021 Just think in fifty years what people will think about Hurleys. They will still be having the 45acp/ 9mm debate. and shooting airsoft under GOV. control. THE Thompsons will be left behind glass in whatever might be left of some Museum. Some might say that a far reach.yeah about as far as my byline on the bottom when i joined here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper28 Posted June 5, 2021 Report Share Posted June 5, 2021 I have WH A.O.C.297A and a friend has A.O.C 298A. . All markings are as one above but does not have the R one the receiver, Bought new in 1977 for $650. Completely reworked by PK many years ago. Runs 100%. and is smooth as glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anjong-ni Posted June 5, 2021 Report Share Posted June 5, 2021 Here is one of the "R" receivers. I thought that maybe "D.R" had worked on it in the past ..Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrt4me Posted August 15, 2021 Report Share Posted August 15, 2021 I'll have to check the serial number and associated markings on my own WH 1928, which PK fixed for me back in 2008... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colt21a Posted August 15, 2021 Report Share Posted August 15, 2021 Well since we dig up old posts for answers let me dig up the 100 i buried and let you know. or wait they went to Kabul on that last shipment of American aid.Nevermind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cm289 Posted June 5, 2023 Report Share Posted June 5, 2023 (edited) Mine is A.O.C.274A, and it also has the “R”. For anyone interested in, here's how it was equipped when originally purchased in 1975: M1 style safety and rocker pivots (since swapped out with vintage 1928A1 paddle-style from Savage) Savage bolt Savage Blish lock Lyman adjustable sight Savage actuator Unmarked compensator that has the front sight dove-tailed in (sight was loose, so I staked it down. Also, comp has a set screw underneath to attach it to barrel). Two piece WH buffer pilot (since replaced with a vintage Savage). Buffer pad appears to be black polyurethane. Mag release appears to be USGI Barrel appears to be WH, with the squared off & sharp fins The only other semi-interesting thing about it is that the "4" in the serial # sits about 1/2 a line lower than the other #s. Edited June 10, 2023 by cm289 added info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief762 Posted June 8, 2023 Report Share Posted June 8, 2023 Mine is 878A. No R. It got the full PK treatment a couple of years ago. It's beautiful to look at and it runs great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anjong-ni Posted June 8, 2023 Report Share Posted June 8, 2023 Three different "R" marked receivers with the "R" in different orientation. Wonder who stamped them and why?...Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now