16 replies to this topic

[TOMMY SMG]

Well, I just picked-up a very nice Seymour Products "L" Drum that looks like brand new from a guy in Dayton.

I'm lucky I found it in the back of his store before someone else did!!!. ..

I haven't fired it yet and as I was reading Franks book "AMERICAN THUNDER" I came across two different opinions that have me perplexed . On page 158 it talks about how reliable this drum was and that it won Army-Navy Production award . But on page 167 (yes, the same book ) it says they functioned satisfactorily and that the quality wasn't quite up some of the other drums?

My question is this, is the Seymour "L" drum a desirable drum to own and fire with in my 28A1 or will it give me some trouble ? (I always though it was a good one to have!!!)

Jim

PS -The guy had no clue what it was worth, so I payed him $600.00 , though that was fare price, I really wasn't sure , but couldn't let it just sit there for someone to have !!!!........

[John Jr]

Load it, wind it, insert it and hold the trigger down.

You will find out if it works pretty quick!

Bet you it runs like a top.

Take care

Jr

PS. GOOD BUY ON THAT DRUM!!!!!

[Bob]

You got a great deal! All my drums have different personalities some work some act up. If it acts up send it to Merle the Drum Doc. If it does work, keep the spring greased, wind with care and have a blast But keep in mind you have a mag that's a piece of history so treat it with respect and remember you are just it's caretaker for future generations.

[Walter63a]

Well put Bob; I couldn't agree more about being a caretaker,when it comes to anything Thompson. Regards, Walter

[Walter63a]

Well put Bob; I couldn't agree more about being a caretaker,when it comes to anything Thompson. Regards, Walter

P.S. Sorry Nick, it was an honest mistake. Please disregard this second post and delete if you wish.

[Johnny.45]

Tommy SMG,

You got a good deal on that Seymour Products L Drum considering that some pay more for a W. H. L Drum. Please let us know how it runs.

Thanks,
Johnny

[Whiskey Brother]

QUOTE (Bob @ Aug 27 2003, 08:47 PM)

You got a great deal!    All my drums have different personalities some work some act up. If it acts up send it to Merle the Drum Doc. If it does work, keep the spring greased, wind with care and have a blast But keep in mind you have a mag that's a piece of history so treat it with respect and remember you are just it's caretaker for future generations.

I notice you mentioned "keeping the spring greased" in your post. I've never greased my spring at all. Is this really necessary? If so, what type of grease should I use, and how do I do it? Iv'e owned my drum for over ten years, and it has never given me any trouble. No jams at all. Mine is the Worcester Press "L" drum, if that makes a difference.

[PK.]

Merle designed a fixture to grease spring cans; it can not be done without the tooling as the spring cans are riveted together. He has graciously allowed myself and others to copy his design. Any drum that comes into my shop for other service is greased for free. Merle always has his drum greaser at SAR (in Dec) and lubricates as many drums as come by.

The spring cans were liberally greased at assembly, but that was 60–80 years ago. By now the original grease is dried up and is not lubricating the spring or can any longer. The drum will work more smoothly and last longer if it is greased every 5-10 years.

[TOMMY SMG]

John Jr. and Johnny.45,

You can bet I'll trying it out this holiday weekend and give a full report.

Bob and Johnny.45,

Yes, I feel like I got a good deal and paid him a fare price, seeing as he had no ideal what he had. (When I said $600.00, he about fell over and did hesitate to take a check for that much.) I think I treated him fare.

Bob and Walter63a,

Your rite, I know that they don't make these anymore and all of the original drums & mags I have, I safe-guard. Hopefully someday my children will cherish and become the next caretakers of these items, as we have become. (pretty deep, ha / but true.)

PK and Whiskey Brother,

I sent my W.H. "C" drum out to Merle a couple of month ago, (Merle is a super guy to work with ) for him to rework. Came back in great shape and runs like a top.

He, as PK was talking about, told me about his "Supper-Dupper" spring greaser and that if you have a drum thats never been greased while you've owned it , you should have it done A.S.A.P. to insure proper performace.

PK,

I still have that "L" drum with the dent (ouch ) in it and I still plan on sending it out to you for repairs and a grease job. I might send this new drum out to you also for a "once over and grease job. (You should see them next month.)

No one has really slammed the "Seymour Drums", (yet!) so, I'm feeling better about it already.

Thanks for imput.

Jim

[Whiskey Brother]

QUOTE (PK. @ Aug 28 2003, 08:20 AM)

Merle designed a fixture to grease spring cans; it can not be done without the tooling as the spring cans are riveted together.  He has graciously allowed myself and others to copy his design.  Any drum that comes into my shop for other service is greased for free.  Merle always has his drum greaser at SAR (in Dec) and lubricates as many drums as come by. The spring cans were liberally greased at assembly, but that was 60–80 years ago.  By now the original grease is dried up and is not lubricating the spring or can any longer.  The drum will work more smoothly and last longer if it is greased every 5-10 years.

Thanks for the heads up on this, this is proof positive that this site was a good idea to sign up for!!
Any further information would be much appreciated, including but not limited to the necessary tooling fixture, it's cost, and availability. My drum has always "run like a top", but I most certainly will not use it again untill the proper maintenence has been done. I can be contacted privatly at PalmerRB@aol.com, and many thanks beforehand!

[TOMMY SMG]

Whiskey Brother,

(that wouldn't happen to be "Crown Royal" your drinken there? , thats my favorite )

I'd e-mail PK from this board, he'll get back to you on the details for him to grease it or maybe let you know if someone in your area might have one also. As PK said, all these greasers are custom made from Merles' design, so there are not that many of them around.

If your planning to go any of the gun shows, like "Knob Creek" in Kentucky, you might find a member attending that would have one and you could hook-up.

Jim

[Chopper28]

Glenn Whitenberger had one of Merle's drum greasers at the TCA show last weekend. It is a simlpe looking devise and it worked wonderfully. I think he was going to leave it with Tracie for him to copy. So if you are in the Ohio area you might get in touch with him for a free lube.

[Whiskey Brother]

QUOTE (Chopper28 @ Aug 28 2003, 09:34 PM)

Glenn Whitenberger had one of Merle's drum greasers at the TCA show last weekend. It is a simlpe looking devise and it worked wonderfully. I think he was going to leave it with Tracie for him to copy. So if you are in the Ohio area you might get in touch with him for a free lube.

Does anybody have a picture of this thing? Blueprints would be nice, but I've been known to wing it off a picture. If it's simple I should be able to fabricate one for myself. I e-mailed PK but have yet to get a reply. I looked at my drum today and I can see how to take it apart, but I am reluctant to do so unless and untill I have more information on this.
Also, what type of grease should I use?

Unfortunatly for me I live off on the "left" coast, so Ohio or Kentucky are out of the question. I am also reluctant to send my expensive drum through the mail if I can just do it myself.


(And Tommy SMG, I also like a good shot of Crown Royal once in a while! )

[PK.]

Patience Whiskey Brother; you have mail.

[Chopper28]

Whiskey Brother, Merle lives in Oregon if that is closer to you.

[TOMMY SMG]

Well, Guys, here's the full report I promised ya on my "Seymour" "L" drum.

It was a wounderful holiday week-end, it rained , and rained , and rained and rained all three days,(GREAT WEEKEND - "NOT") but I had to try her out!!!..

So, while the wife & kids run to Walmart (that takes at least 2 hrs. each trip), I pulled my "Beautiful 1928A1" and the "Seymour - L drum" out of the safe headed towards the garage.

When I got in the garage and looked out -- "STILL RAINING" . Not gonna let a little rain stop me , no sir , =I pulled up the window in the back, loaded her up, pointed her out the window and put-the-hammer down!!!....

It was music too my ears, not sure of the exact speed, but she went fast and with no jambing --- EXCELLENT!!!!. .... I think she's a keeper.

Jim

PS -- Yes, I do live in the country, "BUCKEYE COUNTRY" that is.

[Johnny.45]

Jim,

Glad to hear your L Drum ran without any problems.
Good Deal.

Thanks for the report,

Johnny