42 replies to this topic

[Tman]

QUOTE

Tman: So, I can't call and check on the serial number? It has to be someone from the department I guess...

Sorry Chris but that's the way it is.
I helped out Mike on one he is looking at and had to make contact with the department. What they do with the info is up to them. Lemme know if I can help.

[The1930sRust]

Well, I mailed a letter to the Chief today regarding this gun. I did not make an offer, but merely asked if he/they would entertain an offer. Then, I started having second thoughts. Do I really want to sell my beloved and beautiful Westy, a gun that collectively has so much difficult work put into it, for an 80 plus year old scratched up hunk of metal? Is it the right one? I am sure they won't sell it to me anyway, but is a gun with such obvious mods (new bbl and Savage parts) still going to be a worthy investment, Colt receiver notwithstanding? I can see spending another small fortune trying to find all original Colt parts (ugh). Confusing.... when does it end?

[LIONHART]

It doesn't end. This is what makes the hobby so enjoyable! Hey, if they put a cheap price on it, you'll know what to do.

[Norm]

Chris,

You can't go wrong either way you choose.

On one hand you have a great Westy that shoots as well as a Colt, on the other is an original Colt.

If you plan on shooting it (and I know you do), I would stick the Westy. You already own it and enjoy it. If the price is REALLY good on the Colt, consider it's investment value.

Just my $.02 worth.

Norm

[Poprivit]

FWIW - I called NFA about a Tommy that my SO had. gave them the s/n and they came right back with "Can't be sold to individual as it was not regestered. You can call them at202-927-8330, perhaps yours was regestered before '86. Good luch.
Ps. if you buy it, I know where you can find a new home for your WH.

[Murray]

Chris,
That is a nice looking gun and I agree with most of the posts.
The Remington upside down anchor (not navy) is very small and on the very front of the butt stock wood about an 1/8th inch below the lip of the stock assembly floor plate. On my Colts it is very faint and hard to pick out.
One question. Did you note what the drum was and does it come (go) with the gun. One would assume so.
Best of luck.

[The1930sRust]

Murray:

I do recall seeing the anchor, faint as you say.

I imaged the drum, and I have attached the panels. Maybe you can tell me more about it.



It is importnat that I do not get my hopes up about acquiring this Thomspon (and you all shouldn't, either!). I can think of many, many reasons why it will not happen. I cannot believe I'd have been the first to ask, or make an offer. It is a big department, so they may not need the cash. It may not be transferable. Perhaps it was confiscated and never registered. Which leads me to my next question.

What can we suppose about the gun from the fact it has GI parts in it? Could it have been bought by the agency post-WWII? It would seem to me that the gun would not have seen any "gangster action" (which is the going story there at the SO). If it had been confiscated in the roaring thirties from some gangster, it would not likely have GI parts in it, at least it doesn't seem like it. I am sure others can posit some theories as well....

CG

PS: Poprivit: How is it that the NFA gave you info on the serial number of that SO gun? Did you work there?

[craig101]

the NFA has been known to tell you if the gun is registered or not, BUT NOTHING ELSE! it is like every other agency, rules are different depending on who you talk to. but i know of a few people on subguns who have called the NFA and given them the serial number and model and they told them if it was registered or not. they wouldn't tell you anything else though.

luck of the draw i guess...

[Sgt]

Chris--
Fantastic find! Hope you can acquire it. Thanks for the pictures to add to my collection.

[Murray]

Chris,
I believe that the drum is a 1928 Worcester, not a WW2 drum.
Look at the location of the "C" in CAL which is directly below the "H"
in MACHINE above. That is a clue. All of the WW2 Drums have the makers names on them in one form or another.
Valuable drum in excellent condition, although I would deal to that spot of dirt in the mag catch slot! Go for it!
By the way, the oil bottle is the first model 1921 oil bottle.
Regards
Murray

[The1930sRust]

Rejection!

"Trooper Anderson,

I have received and reviewed your correspondence and offer to purchase the Thompson machine gun we have on display at our department.

Unfortunately I cannot allow the gun to be sold. The Thompson machine gun does have a history with the Department and it would be inappropriate to sell part of this Department's past history.

I do appreciate your interest and offer to purchase the Thompson and wish you luck in your search for other pieces of history.

Sincerely,

ect...."

Should I walk away? Maybe he doesn't know how much I am willing to offer.

[Murray]

Dang!

[Mike Hammer]

Nice try Chris, but I think this fellow knows he has something there. Damn, and I was ready to by that tricked out WH of yours!

Mike Hammer

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

Chris,
I think the CLEO has seen too many "Antique Roadshows." If you offer him even $12K-$15K, it will probably only confirm his suspicions that his TSMG is not only valuable to the department but to collectors as well. This may also have something to do with the PD's delay in approving Mike's negotiations to procure their TSMG's. It does suggest that if a PD should sell their registered obsolete weapons, wouldn't they owe it to their resident tax payers to auction the guns off so as to get the most funds to finance their department's needs?

[The1930sRust]

Arthur:

Yes. It is what I would do.

[LIONHART]

Damn, that's the real shits...

[gijive]

Chri,

Nice picture of the drum. Murray is correct, it is a 1928 Worcester Pressed Steel manufactured drum for Auto-Ordnance. There is no comma after the N.Y. like the Colt contracted drums. It is identical to the Colt guns in every other respect with the esception of the rotor, which is generally blue as opposed to nickel colored.

I think the gun has belonged to the department for a long time and at some point the barrel was shot out or had a bulge. It was replaced, probably a long time ago, with the WWII parts that were readily available. I think you said the bolt was Savage, but I would venture to guess that the sear, trip, rocker, etc. might stilll be original Colt parts.

Too bad they don't want to sell it. Replacing the barrel would be the most expensive thing to locate and replace, but you really wouldn't want to shoot it too often, especially if it was restored with original Colt parts, provided they could even be located.

It was a nice thought. Maybe they'll let you shoot it sometime.

[Norm]

Sorry Chris,

Remember, you've got a great WH that any of us would love to have!

Norm

[Sgt]

That's darn too bad. Sounds like they know what they have and it would be difficult to change their minds at this point. You might try again later, because minds and administrators change over time.

[Walter63a]

Chris, I will buck the trend here. I think that if you make a reasonable offer, they just may weaken. Of course, you risk raising the ire of the CLEO. Yet, keep in mind the old adage, "nothing ventured, nothing gained." You won't know until, and if, you try. Do you want to risk some other guy coming along with the intrepid spirit to make an offer, taking the prize? Just some food for thought. Best Regards, Walter