MauserMatt Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 As was said by others, a lot of information is redacted. But they sent 29 pages of information! About 13 of those pages reference my own transfer from my uncle to myself (fingerprint cards, etc)... But it appears my M1 Thompson was imported on a Form 2 in 1964. What's interesting is that the owner in the 1970s sent a letter to the ATF notifying them that he was leaving the country for two years. They responded, approving his request to store the gun at a redacted location. There is some kind of letter concerning a father being worried about a machinegun being stored? The letter is not very legible, so it's hard to make out. Some of the things are pretty strange.. In the typed letter to the ATF, September is spelled in spanish. Then, it looks like there was an attempted transfer in 1981, but it was returned due to missing documents... Interesting... Looks like I may be the 5th or 6th owner since 1964... Overall, it was worth sending in my request and just forgetting about it... The thick envelope certainly had me wondering "what the hell is the ATF sending me!" for a minute there.. Haha... I think they missed one little spot to redact as there's one abbreviation for MD (Maryland), so there's that. I think I received more information than I expected, even though there are plenty of blanks there too. Anyway, I thought it might be interesting to hear anyone's feedback.. I'm attaching some pictures of most of the paperwork... Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speeddemon02 Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 I'm still waiting on a FOIA request from 2013, I think it got lost Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 So the gun started at Fairchild aviation in NY to a .....secret guy. Kinda cool! Then that guy maybe moves to Caracas working for Microtronix on the letter head. He gets an FFL, sells it, then it ends up 5320'd at the creek in 94. Without digging too much that's what I gleaned at a glance. I think that's more exiting than most guns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauserMatt Posted November 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 What I don't understand is why they redact the actual manufacturer of the weapon... I missed the Fairchild part.. Very interesting.. Wonder why they needed an M1 Thompson....... Lots more history to this gun than I ever could have imagined!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwiifirearms Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 The Fairchild Hiller connection caught my eye right away. I think Wernher Von Braun was associated with Fairchild Hiller. Could have been his personal body guard. Dare to dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwiifirearms Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) Von Braun wasn't there until 1972. Edited November 23, 2016 by wwiifirearms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantpanda4 Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 Took this pic of the letter talking about being flooded and compared with the next (backside of the same pic). Reversed it in Word, then enhanced the contrast, etc. You might get an idea of who the people were who are mentioned in the letter. Interesting story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauserMatt Posted November 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 My brother reversed the page and some of it became a little more readable... "Dear Mr. Davis, Upon receiving word of the flooding on (Sept 7, 72) of Bay*** Moving & Storage Inc ... ... returned to the USA to remove my furniture and my family's personal effects. In their effects there was a small II World War gun collection one such(?) being a M1 Thompson Serial # 222339 (reg JMH 9/27/72) registry # 672441. This gun(?) has been dismantled(?) and stored at my father and mother's home 8316 Deborah Street, Clinton, Maryland 30935. I do hope this meets with your approval....." Ha! I THINK I've deciphered some of it with the help of my brother... I wish I could at least find out the company that imported the gun and who it went to first.... I supposed I could appeal that, but I have no idea on what grounds.... This is pretty fun! I'm glad I made the request. Definitely shows my Thompson has had an interesting history! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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