
New Guy Needs Help Buying Thompson
#1
Posted 30 October 2003 - 07:39 PM
#2
Posted 30 October 2003 - 10:10 PM
Welcome to the boards.
I bought a M1 Bridgeport earlier this year. One thing you must remember about 99% of the M1's have been re-built at some point in their life. Lowers may or maynot have a serial number on them and it may/not match the upper on it. The gun may/not have a stamp on the buttstock indicating where it was rebuilt at. Their should be a inspectors stamp on the reciever by the barrel area on the left side,may be on right. Barrels if it has seen military service may have been replaced. Here is a site that has pictures of my M1 and some of it's markings and details for you to compare. Good luck and if for some reason you don't buy it, let me know.I'm looking for another good M1.
M1 Pictures and Stuff
Remember to pick up a copy of Frank Iannamico's book, "American Thunder" it has priceless information on the M1's and the 1928's that saw service. Very good read and information.
#3
Posted 30 October 2003 - 10:28 PM
I have an M1 dummy with a 1928 mag release. The frame has a serial number of 33XXX on the bottom. The buttstock has an "MR" rebuild stamp on it. Haven't taken the barrel off yet.
Ya can't go wrong by picking up Frank's book, that's for sure. I hope this helps some more, and I add my welcome to the board.
#4
Posted 30 October 2003 - 10:34 PM
#5
Posted 30 October 2003 - 11:00 PM
#6
Posted 05 November 2003 - 12:45 PM
I'd get Frank Iannamico's American Thunder book, but it is sold out! Maybe I'll try Moose Lake Publishing.
#7
Posted 05 November 2003 - 01:08 PM
George E. Goll (GEG) was an inspector whose proof mark appears on Savage made Thompsons, according to "American Thunder." All M1 series Thompsons with an Auto-Ordnance, Bridgeport, CT address were made during WWII. Production began in 1942 and ended in 1944, if I remember correctly. The gun was made during WWII. A serial number in that range probably would be closer to the end of the production run.
The original finish according to "American Thunder" would be black oxide. Most were parkerized during rebuild programs.
#8
Posted 05 November 2003 - 06:19 PM
QUOTE (gijive @ Nov 5 2003, 01:08 PM) |
George E. Goll (GEG) was an inspector whose proof mark appears on Savage made Thompsons... |
That's odd. Any guesses on why he'd be marking a Bridgeport gun?
#9
Posted 05 November 2003 - 06:28 PM
#10
Posted 05 November 2003 - 09:25 PM
#11
Posted 06 November 2003 - 12:59 AM
Nothing odd about at all. All M1 and M1A1 series Thompsons had a Brideport, CT address on the right side of the receiver, regardless of what factory manufactured them, Savage or Auto-Ordnance. The current collector's reference to Bridgeport Thompsons is somewhat misleading to those new to Thompsons. Bridgeport, Ct was the address of Auto-Ordnance Corp. from 1941 until the end of WWII production guns. Early Savage guns made made prior to 1941 had an Auto-Ordnance New York, N.Y. adddress on the receiver because that is where Auto-Ordnance had their headquarters. Colt guns had a New York, N.Y.address because that is where Auto-Ordnance had their headquarters.
Any Thompson gun made after late 1941 or early 1942 (regardless of model) had a Bridgeport, Ct address on the receiver. In other words, all WWII Thompson guns are "Bridgeport" guns. They couldn't be anything else!
I guess I just don't understand this current fascination with the term "Bridgeport" gun.
#12
Posted 07 November 2003 - 01:38 PM
That was my ignorance. I didn't know all Thompsons--including those made by Savage--had the Bridgeport address. Thanks for clearing that up.
I just bought the gun. It's not my first SMG, but it is very exciting nonetheless.
#13
Posted 07 November 2003 - 02:07 PM
No problem! Hope you enjoy your new gun. If you have anymore questions, just ask, there are lots of knowledgeable people on this list.
#14
Posted 07 November 2003 - 05:34 PM
Welcome to the Board and to TSMG ownership. Having had another SMG and having shot several others, nothing compares to the first and still the best SMG.
"Say 'Hello' to my little friend, Tommy."
#15
Posted 07 November 2003 - 08:04 PM
#16
Posted 07 November 2003 - 08:27 PM


BB
#17
Posted 08 November 2003 - 12:32 PM
#18
Posted 08 November 2003 - 05:18 PM