24 replies to this topic

[John in IN]

It was a long wait, but worth it! Paperwork came thru and I picked the gun up today. I got it home and ran a few 30 rnd mags thru it and a "C" drum! All worked flawlessly. I tried the "L" drum that I got with the gun and it didn't work quite as well. Oh well, I guess I'm in the market for a good "L" drum.

I've got this and my M16 now and I gotta say based on feel (just holding it and while shooting), the Thompson is more fun to shoot! I'm glad I bought 2 cases of ammo at the last gun show!

It's a matching number gun and is in very nice shape. Here's a few pics:




















The last 2 pictures show the various British markings on the gun.

A big thanks to this board for all of the info learned and used to make the purchase!

Edited by John in IN, 10 July 2011 - 11:30 AM.

[Ron Mills]

John: Congrats on your acquisition, and many thanks for the great pics. I can tell you're one proud Daddy. Don't you just love that Old Thompson Smell?

[giantpanda4]

Very nice gun - and thanks for the excellent pics! There is a lot on history there !

I am curious about the A-1 stamping - looks a bit out of alignment (just curious - no means am I trying to offend!). Anyone else seen something like this?

[TSMGguy]

There were many shipments made of arms and ammunition under Lend Lease, and shipments were handled in many ways. This gun could have gone straight from the factory to Britain, or it could even have been taken out of the hands of a US unit. In either case, it would have had all US ordnance and acceptance stamps, which this one has. These stamps would be missing only of the gun had been produced under a British contract, which it was not.

An example of equipment being taken directly from US troops is the 300 Sherman M-4 tanks from the First Armored Division shipped to the British in North Africa to help make up losses there. (This was the full TOE of 280, plus spares.) Because of this, the first Armored landed in North Africa under Operation Torch equipped with the inferior M-3 Lee tank. Roosevelt decreed that 1/2 of all US aircraft production was to go to the British, greatly slowing the growth of US airpower. Most aircraft arriving in Britain had to be modified with the removal of US oxygen systems and radios, among other items. I know, WOTS!

Anyway, absolutely beautiful gun! You'll probably want to locate the correct knurled pivot and safety, and a bright bolt, if the old girl doesn't have one. Congratuations!

[gijive]

QUOTE (giantpanda4 @ Nov 7 2005, 07:13 AM)

I am curious about the A-1 stamping - looks a bit out of alignment (just curious - no means am I trying to offend!). Anyone else seen something like this?

The U.S. and A1 were retro stamped on the Savage Model of 1928 guns after all production was switched to producing the US Model of 1928A1 during the Lend-Lease period. Only the earliest Savage Model of 1928 guns were purchased directly from Auto-Ordnance by the British, prior to Lend-Lease. Around the time when the U.S. Government started sending the guns through the Lend-Lease program the designation had been officially changed to U.S. Model of 1928A1.

Frank's book has the approximate Savage serial number range when this change occurred, I think. It is probably close the serial number on the gun pictured on the earlier post.

Nice gun, by the way!

[gijive]

QUOTE (TSMGguy @ Nov 7 2005, 11:03 AM)

Anyway, absolutely beautiful gun! You'll probably want to locate the correct knurled pivot and safety, and a bright bolt, if the old girl doesn't have one. Congratuations!

TSMGguy,

I believe Frank's research in American Thunder indicates that a Savage gun in that serial number range may or may not have had the knurled rocker pivot and safety levers.

I would be interested in which compensator it has? The second model with only the Cutts logo, the third pattern with Cutts logo and Thompson bullet logo on top, or the more common fourth pattern with the Thompson bullet logo on the left side.

Since it has the Bridgeport, CT address, as opposed to the New York address, my guess would be the fourth pattern.

[Sgt]

John--
Absolutely beautiful! Looking at your gun makes me want to add to my collection. I have the fever. LOL

[First Sergeant]

An absolutely beautiful example of a 28A1 and with all the markings a person with Thompsonitis could want. Congrats !!!!

Chuck

[John in IN]

Thanks a lot guys! The gun is a real beauty and operates flawlessly on the C drum and the 30 round mags!

With friends and family checking it out, we've already put more than 500 rounds thru it!!

Glad I bought 2 cases of ammo!

[John Jr]

Yours is just like mine. The best of the best!!!

[John in IN]

QUOTE (PhilOhio @ Nov 7 2005, 11:00 AM)

When you're ready to sell it for about $12K, I'll bet Mike would be glad to help out.

I've decided to let Mike have it for $12K..........AFTER the $10K down payment.

[John in IN]

I would be interested in which compensator it has?  The second model with only the Cutts logo, the third pattern with Cutts logo and Thompson bullet logo on top, or the more common fourth pattern with the Thompson bullet logo on the left side.

Since it has the Bridgeport, CT address, as opposed to the New York address, my guess would be the fourth pattern.

Here's a couple views of the Cutts (complete with some crud inside ):





I don't know which version it is.

Edited by John in IN, 10 July 2011 - 11:32 AM.

[full auto 45]

QUOTE (John in IN @ Nov 7 2005, 07:21 PM)

QUOTE (PhilOhio @ Nov 7 2005, 11:00 AM) When you're ready to sell it for about $12K, I'll bet Mike would be glad to help out.   I've decided to let Mike have it for $12K..........AFTER the $10K down payment.

Ok, I give you the check for $10k and when the papers clear, I'll give you a check for $2k........ok sounds
good to me.

Nice gun. You'll have to bring it to our next Indy shoot.

[John Jr]

Screw him, I will give you the whole 12 up front and throw a case of Tommygun Brew in to boot!!!

[TSMGguy]

Become one with the crud in your compensator. It'll be in there for a long time!

You have an older sibling to my M1928A1, which is identical except that the serial starts S332. Mine has the flat, plain pivot and safety as well. It lacks the TOMMY GUN stamp, and has the typical horizontal front grip and no British proof markings. Serials match and it has 99% of it's original Dulite (blued) finish.

Does your vertical front grip have provision for a sling swivel? How about the top of the butt stock? A gun that saw British service (meaning that it was issued and used) will most likely have either the swivels or inletting for them, sometimes filled in. A gun that went to the British Isles but was never issued may not. That would also account for the nice condition of your finish, which I'll bet is original.

Enjoy!

[SecondAmend]

Congratulations. Excellent Thompson!

[JimFromFL]

It looks to be in awesome condition.

[rjb1]

This one is similar to mine, but since mine is just a bit earlier (136000 range), it has one checkered knob and one smooth one. (Selector is checkered and safety is smooth). Other small differences are that mine just has "Model of 1928" with no added letters and no military proof marks (US or British). It does not have the "Tommy Gun" marking.

The address, compensator, grips, and the rest seem to be the same.

Joel

(I mentioned this one a few weeks ago when we were discussing Police-purchased war-time Thompsons, which this one is.)

[hawksnest]

Very, very nice. Bring it to the TCA show and shoot next year so we can fondle her.

[Waffen Und Bier]

With that and the M16, life is complete. That is my absolutest favorite variant of the Thompson.