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Doug Richardson Update Sept 2016


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Posted by Bob for Doug.


Richardson 16 Sep 2018




Receivers: All the steel I had on hand when I was forced to quit before has been turned into what I

refer to as "Stage 1" receivers. Stage 1 uses a single programs of over 1000 lines of machine code,

starts with a raw steel bar and takes it to the level of completion as shown in the photo. Stage 1

takes about 2 hours. I make a number of different semi-finished (non-gun) receiver configurations

which I call "Ultimax" (my trade name) receivers. I divide the configurations into several types,

the two main types being "Type 2" (receivers that look like 1921s) and "Type M" (receivers that

look like M1s). I break the types down into "A" (original configuration) and "B" (improved). From

the top of the photo and then going down, the receivers shown are: 1) 2A, 2) 2A or 2B, 3) 2B, 4) MA,

5) MB. Following Stage 1, there are a number of machine operations, each of which takes less than

10 minutes and adding a total of about 30 minutes to the Stage 1 time. I allow another 30 minutes

for clean up, deburring, surface finishing and miscellaneous. Then the receivers go to engraving

and finally to black oxide. Since all my machines are dedicated to only make receivers and are

never torn down to make way for a different set-up, I can, theoretically, receive a receiver order

in the morning, select the applicable programs already in the machine memories and have the receiver

ready for engraving and black oxide by lunch time. Of course, I make the most common configurations

for inventory so that I can ship any receiver without a serial number the same day I receive the

order. Because of the incredible amount of time I spent designing and making special fixtures and

other tooling, no one can copy me and make receivers like mine and not go broke doing it. So what

is wrong? Why are people waiting endlessly to get an Ultimax receiver? Because of me. I lost most

of my vision. I can no longer make anything. I have to rely on my old helpers to come in to do

the work. I am probably getting about 2 hours a week in help on the average. I continue to look

for someone to take over the "business". I do not need someone to help me because I can not do

anything. So helping me do nothing is useless. It seems that I am always negotiating with someone

who wants to take over. But in the end the negotiations end because it becomes apparent that the

person does not have the Thompson passion and/or knowledge or other skills and money needed to do it.




THOMPSON SUBMACHINE GUN - DRUM MAGAZINES - TYPES "C" & "L":


Even though I wrote this book many many years ago. It is still current. To my knowledge, no

original production drum model has been found that is not covered in my book. However, I had

to create names for the different models because, theretofore, people did not know most

existed or recognize the differences. Unfortunately, a mistake has come to light. When the

book was being put together, the names "1928 NAVY" and "SAVAGE" got interchanged. Every thing

will be OK if that correction is made AND the two sections are interchanged in the book.

Because I used comb binding, the sections can be interchanged fairly easily. I hope that error

did not cause any serious problem.




www.ThompsonSMG.com: My website is still not accessible by me and may not be available on the

internet. I am trying to get that resolved. In the meantime, I will continue to rely on my

friend, Bob Bower of Philadelphia Ordnance fame, to post messages from me on the board. I can

always be reached by phone at 310-457-6400.




I thank everyone for putting up with me. I crossed 81 years old a few days ago.

Try to avoid getting old. It is very inconvenient.





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