Thompson "barrel screwdriver tool ' use

[newmexicocoonass]

Anybody know what these were used for exactly? Curious about the slots on the side. Thanks

 

NMCA

[1921A]

Looks more like a 1911A1 combination tool. Nothing on the tool that relates to any Thompson model that I can see.

[laurencen]

quick search comes up with this,

Polish Surplus Mosin Nagant Cleaning Kit Tool

[BillyDixon]

its a russian combo tool, very common, mostly issued with the 91-30 rifles,,other than the screwdriver blade it has nothing to do with thompsons,,just sayn

[newmexicocoonass]

The one I'm looking at is American issue, but I can't really see what it might have to do with the Thompson.

[ron_brock]

Hopefully this will be more in line with your expectations of an acceptable reply. If Im allowed to ask what makes it American issued (unless its Remington or Westinghouse manufacture, which I could potentially understand)?

 

[TD.]

Excellent video Ron. +1

 

I don't think this screwdriver is American issue. If so, it would be found in an US Ordnance Department SNL or Standard Nomenclature List and have a Stock Number. I don't remember seeing it listed in the various SNLs issued over the years. From what I remember, these screw drivers showed up around the same time as all the Thompson parts kit the dealers were saying came from Russia. But I am open minded on this!

[RoscoeTurner]

Russian Mosin tool, has nothing to do with Thompsons.

[john]

These were billed as "Russian accessories"

and included with the Russian parts kits back in the early 2000's. Nobody who dealt with them could tell me what exactly they were used for, but probably just as a pocket screwdriver.

I recall strings here of folks asking and everyone at SAR in Phoenix in 2007 and 2008 were asking the same question.

Best I can come up with is, use it for whatever it works for.

[newmexicocoonass]

That makes sense. I have seen original Thompson spare parts and cleaning kits, but never any screwdrivers. Thompson's are all pins except the stocks.

[newmexicocoonass]

Excellent video. Now we know! I've seen a number of websites that claim they are American issue. Just false marketing I guess. Edited September 30, 2022 by newmexicocoonass

[Frank Iannamico]

Those are Russian, they came back in the crates with the (Lend Lease) Thompsons that were imported back from Russia a few years ago.

[Ivan]

Look at the video Ron posted !

 

It is NOT US made or issued.

It is a Com Bloc Mosin combo tool. Video shows exactly how it is used.

Anyone trying to pass it off as US made Thompson tool is either ignorant or a Bull Shit artist.

 

Another type of this tool was made for the Mosin which had a wood screwdriver handle. Some were made by Remington for the Czar during the Great War (WW1). These are slightly scarce.

[Motorcar]

Curious about the slots on the side.

 

For those who didn't watch the excellent video, the slots are a firing pin protrusion gauge for the 91/30, nothing to do with Thompson.

[Rekraps]

It's Russian. I have several.

[Sandman1957]

The Russians used them with Thompsons since it was just a screwdriver they already had, and as already mentioned came back to the US with 1928 TSMG parts kits.

[Steelflood]

That type of tool was mixed up in my Thompson parts. Since I only order Thompson kits, someone must have thrown it in for some reason. I just thought "???" and put it aside. Now I know it's of no consequence.