
Front Sling Swivel Location Vertical Foregrip
#1
Posted 13 November 2003 - 03:43 PM
In my copy of the illustrated book of guns it shows the Thompson M1928A1 with the swivel located on the left side of the grip. It also shows the rear sling swivel on the M1928A1 and M1A1 on the top of the butstock instead of the bottom. From what I have gathered these are British versions in those photos. It would seem to me that if the swivel was mounted on the right side of the grip there would be more room for your hand. Does any one know if the Americans started mounting the forward swivel on the right side or are we still half assing it the British way?
Thank's
M1Brian
#2
Posted 13 November 2003 - 03:51 PM
BB
#3
Posted 13 November 2003 - 04:32 PM
#4
Posted 13 November 2003 - 07:15 PM
Thompsons with vertical foregrips fitted with sling swivels are probably 1928s, not 1928A1s. As clarified by other responders, this was not a factory fitment. What is interesting to me is that a barrel band with sling swivel located just forward of the vertical foregrip was offered by AO in 1922. I have never seen this configuration or even a picture of it. Has anyone?
#5
Posted 13 November 2003 - 07:47 PM
IMHO the sling should be mounted on the RIGHT not the left side of the vertical foregrip. I'll tell you why.
The only people who used vertical forgrips in combat were the British (that I know of). In almost 99% of the photographs that show British soldiers with Thompsons with a sling on them were located on the RIGHT side of the vertical foregrip.
My Thompson is a Brit Lend Lease gun. The sling is located on the RIGHT side.
Page 219 (figure 230) Tracie Hill's book show Churchill with a 1928 with the swivel on the RIGHT side. Figure 233 shows this again on a different Thompson. Figure 244 shows the same thing.
If you are looking for the correct look, I am of the opinion it belongs on the Right side of the gun.
M. Free's gun in Franks book shows a 1928 with it on the LEFT side. This is one of the exceptions. I would assume that was done for a left handed shooter when it was put on.
If you remember the pictures of my Thompson it shows in vivid detail the Sling swivel as being British and mounted on the Right. My gun is a US Model of 1928A1 and covered in Brit Proofs, is correct, never been refinished and matches.
Take care
John Jr
#6
Posted 13 November 2003 - 07:57 PM

Kevin
#7
Posted 13 November 2003 - 09:00 PM
How do you post pictures? I can show a picture if you guys want...
#8
Posted 14 November 2003 - 08:09 AM
Nonetheless here is a photo (cropped) taken at Newhaven on the morning after the Dieppe Raid, 20 August 1942. Other features of interest are the mannlicher sporting rifle on the officer at the right, and the No.4 rifle at the left (early use of this weapon)

#9
Posted 14 November 2003 - 10:23 AM

#10
Posted 14 November 2003 - 11:02 AM
M3scout
#11
Posted 14 November 2003 - 01:07 PM
The other problem with sling swivel on the left is you bring the magazine release against the body, and it may catch and drop the mag. Unhappily that is experience. As far as photos, it seems the majority of the vertcal grips had the swivel to the right. But in looking around the other evening, it appeared that many of the horiz grips were done on the left side.
Peter Laidler did an article on this in Thompson Collector's news which can be found online.
#12
Posted 14 November 2003 - 06:37 PM
Thanks
M1Brian
#13
Posted 14 November 2003 - 11:36 PM
#14
Posted 15 November 2003 - 07:47 AM
I don't have a sling on mine but I have case with carrying strap. Never realy though I needed one to tell the truth.
BB
#15
Posted 15 November 2003 - 10:44 AM

Mike Hammer
#16
Posted 16 November 2003 - 05:28 PM
QUOTE (TAB @ Nov 14 2003, 06:07 PM) |
MkVII is the man with the Mannlicher Lord Lovat? |
apparently not, Lovat is in another photo in the sequence without a hat or binoculars