42 replies to this topic

[Zamm]

Okay, Got a capture software for DVD's.
Here it is, someone made this thing for sure.
In the first photo you can see the rails on the side.
In the second photo you can see the lock indentation, just like
a buttstock slide.
Anyone know who did the work on this gun? ( Looks like a 28 Westy)
This would be perfect for the 1930's Rust's violin case!
Best, Zamm

[The1930sRust]

Don't think I haven't thought about it! I know several have spoke about such a modification. I have several ideas myself. I wouldn't think it'd be too hard to do, even way back in 1930. If I wanted to make the Thomspon more concealable, this would be a step in that direction. I am sure many people modified their weapons according to their own particular needs (Dillinger?). Even if this was a Hollywood addition, seems like a good idea to me. I am surprised Thompson didn't think of it himself, what with the removeable buttstock.

[Motorcar]

Zamm..you come up with the coolest stuff! I've looked at that scene several times and thought it had to have been modified, either that or Tom Hanks slides that grip on with a great slight of hand.
When are we to see more lunch photos from your patio? Hope there will be pasta....

[TommyGunner]

Zamm,

Awesome! Looks like the slot in the rail is up where the grip screw goes in. Wonder how it would engage/disengage...possibly a button where the screwhead would be? Maybe toggle a latch under spring pressure...could even use a screw head as a button. Could make the setup pretty invisible with the foregrip installed if done right. I think I might play with this one a bit.

Best,
Damon

[Zamm]

Damon,
That would be way cool! What a product!
You would have a host of customers to be sure!
( better hurry before they outlaw"removable" foregrips!

Motorcar: Thank you, flattery will get you anywhere
I'm still trying to convince the NYC police museum to let me photograph the
'21 they have on display so I can get to work on a "fine-Art" limited edition print.
Mike's blowing me away with his calander

Chris, You NEED this alteration, with that case, whew!

Some research to be done. Who produced the film =what armorer did they use = modification solved.
If you watch that scene, it is engaging the rail and sliding to a lock.
But I still don't understand the reciever/frame case set-up.... Oiy
Z

[ACARLG]

QUOTE (Zamm @ Aug 8 2005, 10:23 PM)

Some research to be done. Who produced the film =what armorer did they use = modification solved. Z

Harry Lu
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0523714/

[Zamm]

Acarlg,
Thanks! That was quick.
Anybody subscribed to "IMDbPro Professional Details" where we can get Mr. Lu's
email address? The answers are an email away.
Z

[sten guy]

I have an old movie with Charles Bronson as Machinegun Kelly. It is probably from the 40's. He has a Thompson that has the barrel and grip made together and he put the Thompson together by inserting the barrel and doing a 1/4 turn to lock it in.

STEN

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

That's Roger Corman's 1958 movie with CB using a 1927 Colt TSMG with an anachronistic 30 round mag and WWII buttstock.

[Poprivit]

I don't subscribe to IMDb Pro, but I found out that Harry Lu also was on War of the Worlds and Pearl Harbor. No e-mail address though.

[philasteen]

He's one tough nut to find. 15 minutes of googling failed to uncover him (although I did find a post by a UK armorer looking for his contact info!).

No doubt he could be found through SAG if someone wants to make the call.

[Mike Hammer]

I found 2 people in Calif. by the name of Harry Lu. I think there's a good chance one of these fellows is who you are looking for if anyone cares to use their cell phone.

Harry Lu, Emeryville, Ca. (510)654-2164
Harry Lu, Fullerton, Ca. (562)697-8008

If anyone scores with talking to the correct Mr. Lu, Please let us know how you made out in your question and answer session.

Mike Hammer

[Hawkeye_Joe]

Harry was also the armorer for "The Patriot" and "Pirates of the Caribbean"and just finished doing "War of the Worlds". I met and worked with Harry at the Patriot set.. he's a very nice guy .. if you can get a hold of him he'd probably give you the answers.

[Zamm]

Mike H.
I think I shall try giving these numbers a call.

Hawkeye Joe:
He sounds nice enough to give it a shot.

Philasteen:
That sounds perverse!

Gentlemen;
I will report back if I score.
Z

[OldFalGuy]

Wish you all the luck inthe worl Zamm-Would indeed be something to look forward to. Heck, I really need it-I bought Chris' last small violin case.

Mark

[ZLP]

I too have thought about this modification many times. The pictures really are great. They also seem to confirm what I have always thought about how it was done.
Notice where the lock indention is on the rail and also notice Tom's index finger on the front grip. Doesn't it look like he is pushing a button on the front of the grip?
I have always thought there would be a button on the front of the grip (similar to the way the forestock is attachecd on some break-open shotguns, with a button at the tip of the forestock). The wooden grip would have a metal piece inletted into it that would accept the grooves in the rail just like the buttstock assembly. The lock mechanism would be at the front and engage some kind of spring-clip.
It could be done using the exact type of lock used on the buttstock, just proportioned differently.
I have drawn it out many times and feel sure it would work.
Just my $0.02
ZLP

[TommyGunner]

All,

I have drawn this out and have it designed except I think there must be an easier way to do the latch. (I Plan on using the mount screw to actually be an invisible button to work the latch) This afternoon I am going to meet with an engineer friend of mine at ulster precission to look over the design and see if there is anything that can be done to simplify the design and production to keep the costs down. Dan Block and I are working together to get this done.

ZLP,

I too have thought of the button like you mentioned. I chose to go with the gripscrew button in order to make the conversion as "invisible" as possible. The design that I have now only shows a little metal on the very rear of the grip where the slide will be a bit lower than the receiver and of course the slide end will be visible on the top and the inlet should be close to 3/4 inch. Should look real good.

Zamm,

Any chance that really neat software you have can capture any more pics of this?

If anyone has designs they would like to present I am still open to all options. Can't wait to get this done.

Damon

[aut-ord-co]

Zamm, Damon, ZLP,

I had a chance to talk with Tracie at the TCA Show on Friday about this quick detach front foregrip. We happened to be looking at a large picture of a Model 1919 Thompson. It seems that what you are designing has aleady been done.

Look at Tracie's book on page 23 "Annihilator II, no. 2. That raised "button" on the bottom of the foregrip mount where it slides into the receiver, Tracie says, is the release for the foregrip. It is also shown, maybe a little clearer, on page 25 on "Annihilator III", No. 7. I'm not certain if he said it was just a pull release.

The "button" also appears on "Annihilator I" on page 22.

Hope this helps.

[Zamm]

Damon,
I'll go through the film again, but I think those are the best shots.
This sounds like a wicked project. How exciting!
aut-ord-co:

cool info! I'll have a look at Tracies book as soon as I get home. Wonder why they dropped this, aside from the logistics of simplicity.
Best, Z

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

QUOTE

Look at Tracie's book on page 23 "Annihilator II, no. 2. That raised "button" on the bottom of the foregrip mount where it slides into the receiver, Tracie says, is the release for the foregrip.

auto-ord-co


The foregrip mount "button" on the "Persuader" is definitely a screw. The protrusion under the foregrip mount on the Annihilator II, III and 1919 seems to be in the same area.

At any rate, this set up would not be a foregrip only detachment but the entire mount as well. Considering the close proximity of the protrusion brace atop the mount, sliding the whole mount with grip on and off would seem an invitation to scrape the bottom of the fins. Unless somehow Eickhoff/Payne figured away for the foregrip screw to melt away. Doesn't Hill actually own some of these prototypes? If this was a quick detach method unique to these prototype TSMG's why didn't he show how it worked in either his "Notes On Auto Ordnance" or "American Legend?"

I especially liked the Aston Martin DB V ejection seat used in "Goldfinger." I wanted to make the modifications on mine but I just couldn't bring myself to saw out the roof section for the seat (and occupant) to pass threw.