12 replies to this topic

[DINK]

Does anyone produce a violin case fitted for the Thompson? Some day when I have some $$$$$ to spend on neat accessories I would like to pick one up.

[The1930sRust]

Dink:

Welcome to the boards.

To answer your question: yes and no. I assume you are familiar with the currently commercially available Kahr "guitar" case made for the longer bbl'd semi auto guns. Blah.

I have seen few actual violin cases. I have one I made myself from an Ess and Ess 30's vintage violin case:



There have also been some other custom cases made from wooden "coffin" style violin cases (maybe viola, I am no musician). I have attached an example below. These were nice because, unlike my case for my vertically gripped Thompson, you didn't have to remove the foregrip to make it fit. I have invested in several coffin cases, but none were big enough for this, so it is a crap shoot when you buy one (unless you can test the fit first, difficult if you're eBaying one...).

I suggest your best bet it to fasion one yourself. With the proper sized case, it wouldn't cost much.

Attached Files

•  customecase.jpeg   25.61K   19 downloads

[Sgt]

Dink--
Here's one on ebay. Looks like a custom job that would fit the full auto.
http://cgi.ebay.com/...3689511175&rd=1

[OldFalGuy]

Sgt Dink,

That has been on Ebay for about 2 weeks, he lowered the starting bid price $20. My main problem with it is it appears with the lid closed that drum will really put some whack on the receiver. If the case is for other than display, I have also been advised by folks on this board that violin (or viola) cases are made for only a very few pounds, not the 20lbs. of a Tommy, drums and mags and one might find their TSMG scattered about thier feet at an in opportune moment, if there ever was one. So be careful and choose well.

Mark

[The1930sRust]

Mark:

Good points. Though my Ess & Ess case is as old as a 1928, the handle is very hearty. Also, the drum can be a problem (especially the key hitting the side of the receiver). I stratigically placed my leather holding straps to as to pad the two. Works pretty well...

[AZDoug]

Oh, i could have some fun with this.

I think I might throw the TSMG in a gym bag and go visit a music store that sell different violin/viola/whatever cases, and inquire about purchasing one, and then check the cases for proper gun fit. Maybe dress up in a pin strip suit or something with a fedora.

Doug

[The1930sRust]

Along a similar vein, it is fun to watch peoples reaction when they see me with my violin case and ask, "so, ya got a machine gun in there?", not expecting me to reply "Yup....."

[Supershooter]

In regard to Ralph's link to the eBay auction of the violin case, I emailed the seller as I was concerned about what looked like elastic straps holding these heavy parts and the possibility of their banging against each other. His reply follows:

Rich

Hello Richard,

Thanks for the interest in my violin tommy gun case. The straps in this case are heavy elastic and will hold the parts in very well on a real 1921 or 1928 and if you have a concern with parts banging together let me say that the case has plenty of room.

And if you want to make darn sure we can make you a curtain from the same colored velvet that the case is covered in to go between the two halves.

This would be highly recommended if you own the real thing. I have made
most of these for real thompsons and have had no complaints about being able to fit the genuine Thompsons properly. This is the last case I have of this type or style and do not know if I will have any more come in.
This case is in good shape and should withstand the weight of the real thompson. It does have steel reinforcments around the body and lid.
--

Many thanks, Mark

[AZDoug]

*Should* stand the weight of a real Thompson??

Doug

[DINK]

Guys;

Thanks for all the info. It looks like I'll wind up making one for myself, as I have some pretty specific ideas on what I want. Having my 1928 hitting the floor with a loud clatter isn't one of them, so I will have to take the precaution of designing in some extra "beef".

I'm not overly concerned with the vintage looks, so I'll probably use a new case and some sort of foam to hold things in place like they do with camera cases. If I can get away with it, I'll have a local uphostery shop cover the foam with velvet. (You never know how folks will react to a project involving sub-machineguns.)

[TNKen]

I tried an old hardshell violin (actually fiddle) case I had to see if my '28 would fit, and it wouldn't. The case was too narrow and short. I think most violin cases are actually viola cases, which are a little longer and wider.

Problem is that most of the new cases are Courdoura covered or hard plastic as opposed to the old style coverings.

There is a string company called Southwest Strings that has a good selection of cases at reasonable prices. www.southweststrings.com

Ken

[The1930sRust]

I looked at a viola case at an antique shop yesterday. Yes, they are bigger, MUCH bigger and it completely blew the visual for me. At least the one I saw. Might as well use a banjo case!

The best luck I've had with violin cases was a full sized 4/4 case (they come 3/4, 2/4....I think that is the nomenclature. And one has to define what style Tommy too; vertical or horizontal foregrip. Verticals are very hard to fit (again, from my original post I've onle seen one coffin style wood case that would work, and it has been chisled on some by the looks of it). And you also have to find one deep enough for a drum in the roof. Every one I've found of the full sized variety would hold at least the length of the gun sans buttstock. The trick is getting the stock and a drum in the lid...

[Reenactor]

I carried my 1971 MGC replica Thompson in a gutted/adjusted violin case until I sold both together for about $325 this last spring. When I was shopping for the case in music stores in 1972, I carried a newspaper cutout of the replica for fitting. Didn't want to get anybody too excited carrying around an uncased "Thompson" in a metropolitan area. I still had to take the vertical foregrip and rear sight off.

For the real 21a and 21ac, I just use a nylon case, for convenience of tools and knicknacks being right with it.