23 replies to this topic

[koldt]

Hi from (and I'm embarrassed) Canada gentlemen. I'm new to the board, and wanted to share my "chopper". I have owned this Bridegport 1928A1 since '89. When I got it, had a smooth barrel, L rear sight, horizontal foregrip, non matching receivers, and generally rough shape, but complete.
Those days mags weren't a big issue so I picked up this Crosby L drum, a Bridgeport L, and a bag full of 20's and 30's... Later got an AO C drum, doesn't work well, yet...
I have since replaced, barrel with NOS 1950 dated finned wrapped barrel, NOS butt ord marked, and NOS rear grip. Newer AO leaf sight.
The blueing was just a basic dunk matte blue, as I don't have anybody to do a good blue without a lot of heavy polishing.
I just picked up the vertical front from Dan B. Thanx, to him, and I like it. I also just did the front and butt with Watco stain, and it matched closely the GI rear grip.
Did all the work myself, so I'm pretty happy with the results as I usually leave the work to someone who knows what they are doing.
I am trying for the early war years look as our troops (when we actually had some) were useing Thompsons as early as 1940. I know there are a couple of flaws like the late cross bolt buttstock, but parts are getting harder by the day to find and/or import.
Don't know if you can tell but it has a 1921 actuator, and I believe that has helped to ensure 100% reliability with everything I put down it, except in the C drum. I load 230gr jacketed ball, with 5.0 gr Bullseye.
I am told that we imported a bunch of stuff from the Yugoslavia area in the mid 1970's. Apparently there were a lot of Thompsons dropped into there for the Partisan's use.
We still have approx 4000 full auto machine guns registered in Canada. However those that are "grandfathered" are dying off. You had to have one registered before Jan 1, 1978 to retain and transfer amongst others. Our other gun laws are endless and pathetic to say the least, and I am here on this post to try to forget about that stuff and have some fun.
So here you are guys, any questions ask away, and thanks to the host of this board.

P.S. Hope I'm not being a board hog with my first post...

[LIONHART]

One DAMN nice looking Gun! Another, that I wish was mine!!!!!

[The1930sRust]

Koldt:

Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing it.....

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

And we thought Canada only gave us Labatts, SCTV, Pam Anderson, William Shatner, Mike Myers, and Peter Jennings...O'K', so Jennings isn't one of the better imports. Now we can add Koldt's pics. What type pattern Cutt's is that shown? What better endorsement to suggest that the 1921 Actuator gurantees reliability. Most people swap out their Colt parts in their original TSMG for military ones. This common practise tends to bolster the idea these original Colt parts (while rare and expensive) are substandard and not up to the task. You enhance the performance of your 1928A1 with them. Bravo !!!!

[Walter63a]

Koldt, thanks for sharing with us. That is a wonderful specimen (nice photos too). Where in Canada do you live (which province or territory)? I live in Western New York (Lockport), which is near Niagara Falls and Buffalo. I have many relatives in Ontario, Alberta and B.C. My mother was born in Toronto and retained her Canadian citizenship all her life. I also have a cousin living in Cinncinati, OH. who has dual citizenship. Have you ever considered trying for dual citizenship? There may be some benefits if you enjoy FA shooting. For example, purchase, storage and usage in the U.S. Well, it's just a thought, anyway. I would imagine that, even with dual citizenship, it would still be impossible to bring your gun into the U.S., though. You would probably want to consult your R.C.M.P., our B.A.T.F. and an immigration attorney. Welcome to the board! Regards, Walter

[full auto 45]

Beautiful piece! Keep that one away from the mounties! That is a very clean looking gun. Do you shoot it often? No board hoggin' there with that. Love to see pictures that nice. Welcome to our family. Glad to have you aboard.

[koldt]

Walter, I live here in Calgary, Alberta. Probably the closest mindset to the US in this country. Cattle and oil.
5 hours straight north of Great Falls, Montana. We have a pop. of approx 900,000.
Trust me, I have checked on taking some toys across the line, and nope, ain't going to happen. Not even for temp import, sport purposes, ie shooting event.
Arthur, I used to have the 28 parts in, and kept the 21 stuff in a parts bin. I now just want to enjoy my stuff rather than providing someone else the enjoyment after I am gone. I have purchased a few unfired firearms, Sterling L2A4, MP5, Yugo AK M70B1... But they have all been fired now, but not abused. Life is too short not to have fun. Fortunately/unfortunately the cost of comparable Thompsons are not nearly as high as in the US. So I am not thinking of wearing out a large investment.
Re: the Cutts, I dunno??? I knew there were different models, but that's why I like this board, still learning... I will take another picture and post it. It was originally on the smooth barrel of this 28, I took it off, and rat tail filed a groove by hand onto the threading of this finned barrel and screwed it on. I got lucky as the sights are on, shots are staying in the 9 ring of a B27 at 50 yards.
Later.
Mike, never enough time to play.. I do a lot of other shooting, so this 28 goes out mostly when I bring friends to the range.

[Walter63a]

Koldt, I hear that part of Legends Of The Fall, with Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt, was filmed in Alberta. You are fortunate to live in such a beautiful area and still more fortunate to be able to shoot FA out there. I recently sold a WH L-Type drum to a gentelman in Helena, Montana (where the above mentioned film was set). If you haven't seen that film, I highly recommend that you rent it (not for children). It has some Tommygun action and was partially set during the prohibition era. Regards, Walter

[koldt]

Walter, Saw Legends, and a bunch of buddies were in it. They cut out basically all the war stuff. There have been a ton of films shot around here. Unforgiven, was shot about an hour away towards the hills. The latest Costner and Duvall western coming out in a couple of weeks, same area. I'm not a big movie guy (History channel) so I can't name all the more notable films completed here, but there are lots being done continuously.
I am still hoping to find a '21 on this side of the border. Havn't seen one yet, but there has got to be one. There are a few 28s and M1s that I know of, but no Colts.

[Walter63a]

Koldt, good luck searching for a 1921 Colt. Regards, Walter

[gijive]

Very nice pictures. You did a great job. I imagine if you found a 1921 actuator for the gun there must be a 1921 model up there somewhere.

Welcome to the board!

[koldt]

Arthur, here's a couple of quick pics of the Cutts. Any help with which type is appreciated, I am sure it is the most common for war time guns. As you can see, it was quite worn before the blueing. The Thompson bullet is fairly weak. The entire gun was almost "in the white" when I got it. Evident that it was used considerably. Therefore I did not do any polishing before putting it in the tanks. Just cleaned it. I would like to have it bright blued, but I do not know how, or who may be able to do it. I should probably leave well enough alone.

Also this blueing turned out 2 different shades between the upper and lower, not that much, but I notice it. Different serial numbers, so I am assumeing different metal and therefore colours.

[Walter63a]

Koldt, I'm a big fan of the History Channel too. I get a great big kick out of Mail Call (very informative on guns and all things military). They ( History Channel) always seem to have great documentaries (everyday). I think I'm an addict. Anyway, I think there is a new installment airing tonight at 10:00 P.M. Eastern Time. Regards, Walter

[koldt]

Walter, R. Lee for Prez.....Better yet, Prime Minister... We desperately need a shake up..

Mike, you mentioned the Mounties... If anybody is interested, the RCMP museum in Regina, Saskatchewan, has 2 1921 Colts. The one on display is (in my opinion) basically unfired. Absolutely beautiful and perfect!! Has a C drum mounted. I talked to one of the Commisionaires (old ex army guys acting as security) and the 2nd one is down in the basement archived. Both guns are documented in the Collector Grade Publication "Arms and Accoutrements of the RCMP".
The display gun has RCMP stamped on it, in about 1/4 inch letters, and hard to find. They stamped everything with that or MP. Or in the old days NWMP (North West Mounted Police) or RNWMP (Royal North West Mounted Police). The gun is in the display of the 1920's and 30's, when we used to supply another country with booze during their prohibition..
The museum as a whole is also outstanding, the city, that's another story...

[Walter63a]

Koldt, our posts must have crossed the 'great cyberspace divide' simultaneously. I believe PK, from this board, out in Colorado does bluing, refinishing, you name it, when it comes to Thompsons. I don't know if you can ship parts (barrel,Cutts, etc) across the boarder. Maybe he knows. Regards, Walter

[Walter63a]

Koldt, does 'R. Lee' refer to Robert E. Lee of American Civil War fame? As far as a shake-up, I most heartily agree with you (both of our Nations). I suscribe to Reuters email service (free). A few days ago, in their "Oddly Enough" report, there was an article about the violent crime rate going up by 28% in Great Britain within the last year alone. About three years ago the British govt. decided that ordinary citizens do not need firearms, except at certain times of the year and for hunting only. Consequently, almost all guns in G.B. have been confiscated. Tell me these two events are not related. However, the article goes on to explain, and this is the truly 'odd' part, that from now on in G.B. violent criminals will have the opportunity to "apologize", through a mediator, to their victims and thereby avoid the court system. This is very fine and sneaky of the liberal politicans over there. I'm sure their plan will do wonders for the violent crime statistics in G.B. over the next few years. However, what about the victims? Will they feel safer when 'John the mugger' is immediately back out on the streets because he apologized! If any of you wish, I will email the article to you. Regards, Walter

P.S. There now, I truly feel cleansed, having gotten that off my back.

[koldt]

Walter, No I was thinking of R. Lee Ermy the host of Mail Call.
Puleeeeez, don't get me going about the law stuff Anyway, I'm off to the range.....

[gijive]

The Cutts model you pictured is the most common for wartime guns. It is referred to among collectors as the 4th type compensator.

By the way, the original guns (especially 1928 A1's) weren't high polish blue. I would leave well enough alone. The finish looks pretty close to the original black oxide finish.

Nice gun! Did you block out part of the serial number? If not, the receiver would be a very early Auto Ordnance made one. Is the grip frame also an A.O. or a Savage?

[Walter63a]

Happy shooting, Koldt.
P.S. I forgot his name, R. Lee Ermy. Thanks

[koldt]

gi, Thanks greatly for the info, on both the Cutts and the finish. Makes me feel a bit better. I guess I should then just leave it, and enjoy...
I brushed out the last 2 numbers on the 5 digit serial number. The grip frame is a 6 digit number with "A.O." prefix.
Again I will repeat thanks for the info cause now I am pumped about the finish and glad I didn't get influenced by buddies giving me their .02 worth about a high polish finish.. What a great board!