23 replies to this topic

[Norm]

I'm heading back to Ukraine on Thursday. I'll keep my eyes open for one of the famous Soviet Thompson DEWATs.

Even though I can't bring one back, it would be nice to see one in person.

I'll be visiting my fiancee and her family. Her grandfather is over ninety years old and was in WW2, or as the call it "The Great Patriotic War."

If he has any war trophies (such as a PPH , I'll try to get some pics for PPH lovers.)

I only hope that travel will be safe, given the fact that Bush won. Many Europeans are not happy with it; but ironicly, all of the former USSR seems to like it that way. They think (and most of us know) that Bush is much stricter with terrorism than Kerry would have been.

If I see the Clintons over there; I'll take a pic.

Take care,

Norm

[deerslayer]

Best wishes, have a safe trip. Maybe Devlin will have your stock set all ready to mount when you return.
Dan

[LIONHART]

Well I sure hope so.. Have a great, safe trip Norm!

[Norm]

Devlin,

No rush on the wood. I'm sure it'll be great!

Norm

[Norm]

Farewell all!

I'll talk to guys in about ten days (hopefully!)

I'm off on a 30 hour trip to the former Союз Советских Социалистических Республик.

Norm

[Norm]

OK, I'mmmmmmm Back!

Once again, I am reminded of how lucky we are here in the good old US.

Sorry guys. I found no trace of any Thompsons in Ukraine, but I did get some good pictures of a Military Park in Kirovograd celebrating the victory over the Nazis.

I also spoke with my fiancée's grandfather who was in WW2. He was a field commander (by the time the war ended) and fought all the way from Stalingrad to Berlin. Lots of medals on his jacket.

The best part is when he pulled out this old letter of appreciation from the Kremlin hand written and signed by Joseph Stalin! I have a picture of my fiancée holding it up while standing next to her grandfather.

He said that he remembers when the Red Army met the US Army in Berlin. He said they drank alcohol for a week straight and everyone partied. He said it was one of the highlights of his life.

I guess if you had to be on one of Stalin's "lists", he was on the right one.

Norm

[Norm]

QUOTE

Now remember, Norm, every time you visit your fiance, keep an eye out for Bill Clinton, in case he tries to sneak over there incognito, to collect 30 years of back pay or something. He probably still has big legal bills to pay off...fall-out from the impeachment days.

Remember, Soviet rubles are as useless as Confederate dollars.

If he was over there, I'm sure it was for old times sake; or some real Russian Vodka!

On a serious note....I did discover that many former Soviet Countries (including Russia and Ukraine) were somewhat happy that Bush won the election. It seems that they were "concerned" about what kind of terrorist activity would occur in their country if John Kerry would have won.

Strange world...go figure!

Norm

[Merry Ploughboy]

Norm,

No Thompsons left in the Ukraine? Perhaps Oleg and Sergey demilled and sold them all on the Internet.

[Norm]

Well guys,

I never found any Thompsons in Ukraine, although I am sure that there are some there (in the "de-act" display state.)

I will make another trip to Ukraine in February, but Thompsons will be far down on the list.

My fiancée finally received her visa to come to the USA, and I will be going to pick her up and bring her to The States. After dating her for almost two years, this is a major hurdle that we have worked very hard to overcome.

Norm

PS: She seemed to be very interested in my Thompson. I think she may turn into a gun lover yet!

[Desert Fox]

Norm,

There has been a guy on Gunbroker from the Ukraine who is selling de-activated 1928A1 Thompsons. Maybe you can still see the listings here:

http://www.gunbroker...p?Item=28069284

http://www.gunbroker...p?Item=27884379

Wish I could get a couple of these!

[Z3BigDaddy]

CongratZ big guy!! We're still in the process of trying to get my d-i-l into the USofA from Mexico...... the people you have we have to work with are not nice, and it is a major pain in the errrr.... Anyhow I guess it is the price you pay for love...... Congrats again....

[Norm]

Z3 (and others),

Thanks for the conratz!

By "d-i-l", I assume you mean daugther-in-law. The first thing the immigration attorney told me was "DO NOT marry her outside of the USA; It will be twice as hard to get her into the country." Why this makes such a difference, I will never know.

You are correct about them being a pain in the A$$, but you must pacify them or they will make your life H#!!

Good luck on your son's encounter with The USCIS and Homeland Security.

Norm

[flingwingflyer]

For all who are interested, there is a supply of demilled Soviet Lend Lease Thompsons in the Arsenal at Kiev, Ukraine. They are being sold in the US by Unique Canes and Replicas, ajsfixit@mindspring.com

[Norm]

Everybody,

OK, I'm off to Ukraine to pick up my wife-to-be!

I wish I had time to look at those DEWAT Tommys in Kiev, but all my time will be spent on getting Tatyana back to the States.

Besides, I have full auto Tommy (variant) , so I don't feel so bad about missing out on the ones in Kiev.

Norm

[Ron Mills]

Norm:

Good luck, safe travels!

[Walter63a]

Congrats and good luck Norm!!! Best, Walter

[LSU Tiger]

We need to repeal the Hughes Amendment!!!

[LSU Tiger]

I agree, Phil! But, sadly, if it's not something that will put a feather in their cap or give the voters a "warm fuzzy" we can forget it, I fear.