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I posted this on the Reising Board, but I thought it would be of interest here as well, Federal Labs was also a Distributor for Thompson Submachine Guns. Just about every Police Department in West PA had several Reisings, probably because Federal Labs, a large Police equipment distributor, was on 41st Street in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh. They were also a distributor for Thompsons. The late Gordon Herigstad took these pictures of the former Federal Labs building. That's Gordon's white Cadillac (with Oregon plates number 1921 A) sitting in front. I added a few related documents; it appears that the first ad was (U.S.) pre-war, around 1940. The last document states Federal Labs sold 4,119 Thompsons.

Unfortunately, we probably have a better chance of finding one of Santa Claus' elves at the North Pole than we do of seeing another amnesty.

FUD, Just saw the pictures, good to see it is a Colt era magazine, even if it has been refurbished. As Tom Davis said in reply to your original post on this magazine, "The good news is losing a few hundred bucks in the Thompson community is something most of us have suffered when we first started collecting" A few years ago now, a well known dealer in the U.S., who sold lots of rarer Thompson accessories and paperwork, contacted me to say he had a 'Colt era Patent date magazine with the witness holes soldered'. He knew I had an interest in British related Thompson memorabilia, as I had bought from him before. So I trusted his knowledge and integrity and made the purchase, without asking for a photo. When it arrived though, it was a more common 'Maguire Era Incorrect Patent Date (20/24) XX mag with soldered witness holes'. So I paid well over the market price for that one. Lesson learned..

I acquired a kit and installed in a Thompson today. On a brand new gun I did the following things before installing the kit. (this is basically the standard thing I do for making the Kahr semi auto gun work well). I’ve been thinking of the Thompson as a lemon lately. Lots of little things that could go wrong sometimes all occur on the same gun. Then other guns work right straight from the factory. Bolt. Replaced the Kahr extractor with a properly fitted GI (savage) extractor. The Kahr extractor had 0.02 inches of forward and rearward play, which on previous occasions I have proved to cause jams. Interior surfaces of the bolt were polished. FRT firing pin was supplied somewhat rough on the edges. I polished those surfaces with 220 grit sandpaper. I also reduced the protrusion of the tip a little bit more than supplied so it was close to the protrusion of a standard GI M1A1 bolt firing pin. Basically there is no reason why an out of battery ignition should happen now UNLESS the chamber is tight and/or misaligned and the cartridge seats fully against the face of the bolt before the bolt slams shut. I installed a GI barrel on the gun for the test. Nice open chamber. I believe that its absolutely essential to have an open subgun chamber on a thompson of any type for smooth operation. See my previous posts on the barrel area problem. Theres no fix to this. On the trigger frame, I had to reverse the sear spring as it was installed upside down from the factory. (FYI 100% of the Kahr guns I've ever had in my hands had this spring installed incorrectly.) The disconnector needed a few thousandths removed from the little "peg" that protrudes on the right side to push down the sear. Before shaving it down, the bolt would not cock as the sear would not hinge low enough in the back for the firing pin to pass by it. There is probably a sweet spot that if you go to far, it might not work right. There is some variation in the kahr and older west hurley guns in their manufacturing tolerances, so this part may need to be individually fit each time. Then finally I tested with a properly fitted and good feed lip GI magazine. Gun worked fine, dump the whole magazine and would fire in bursts with deliberate trigger releases. So, I believe if you can address all the potential issued above, the FRT kit will be a solid performer.

Kahr barrels have tight chambers. But so do apex, green mountain, and imi.

Was looking at some things I picked up at the Show of Shows this past January and noticed that a Colt-era patent magazine I picked up has the witness holes on the opposite side. A quick check in Roger Herbst's book on Thompson mags highlights such a mag. This one I have looks to be in excellent condition with minimal wear to the bluing and the follower shows no signs of use.

Thats a bad mag jam. The kahr mag is built wide. You cant fix it. Get gi mag, fix feed lips first. Then lock back the bolt and adjust the mag catch hole until it will just barely catch and hold in place.

I made this many years ago, from left-over kitchen plates. Easy to make, I think it looks pretty decent. -Balder

Just downloaded / copied from the Blyth Battery Museum website: Reopening for 2026 Blyth Battery’s reopening for the 2026 season was a tremendous success, welcoming an excellent turnout of visitors to both the museum and cafe. A standout highlight was the special limited-time event, “Tommy Gun Story,” presented by the American Thompson Association. This fascinating presentation proved extremely popular and was a memorable experience for visitors, adding something truly special to the start of the season. They have asked me if I could plan another display for later in the season. That would give me the opportunity to try out Cincylances' excellent drum display stands. Tracie, the TATA polo also got pride of place on one of the Manikins. Note the 'V' marked 30 rnd mag on display too, top right of the 3rd photo. 🙏 https://blythbattery.org.uk/

Just about every Police Department in West PA had several Reisings, probably because Federal Labs, a large Police equipment distributor, was on 41st Street in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh. They were also a distributor for Thompsons. The late Gordon Herigstad took these pictures of the former Federal Labs building. That's Gordon's white Cadillac (with Oregon plates) sitting in front.

Federal Labs majority Women Workforce during WW2

Nice Frank Maybe this will help Tracie

Sparky, keep reading. These are the common things. 1. Rough fit firing pin and bolt surfaces. 2. Bad mag fit. Mad mags. 3. Bad extractor fit. 4. Sear spring upside dow. 5. Tight chamber. Some guns work, some dont withiur fixing all these things. Picture or video of your jams reveal the problems.

So we had a fabulous day at Blyth Battery Museum with Richard sharing his encyclopaedic Thompson knowledge with so many folk who paid the museum a visit and got to handle and operate our classic weapons.The kids in particular were so captivated by being able to cock & dry fire a Thompson and the BAR (under strict supervision and assistance) it was a treat to behold and yes it was sooo heavy! Richards talks taking us from his 3 digit serial number 1921 right through to his 1928A1 and so many variations in between showing design changes along numerous transport cases,mag and drum variants,webbing types and so many other items of interest was so engrossing to so many interested folk. Along with the BAR I brought my 30 Cal and M3A1 to add a little more to the story. The re enactment fellas set the scene nicely parked up outside the museum and drew in the crowds. I just wanted to say well done Richard for all your hard work I love your passion and knowledge.Absolute top job my friend 👌

Very nice! My stand is meant to display the gun in a place it will not be heavily bumped. It seems very stable despite the small size. The only thing I've thought of adding is a thin strip of rubber in the valley where the drum sits for extra grip. Thanks for your post.

And I'm the one who bought that magazine from you in Columbus. It's actually a great match for my very worn 1928 Navy Colt. Sometimes a mint item just doesn't look right with a gun that isn't. Thanks again.

I change my mind every time I pull a different gun out to shoot.

Still available on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/188255436338 for opening bid of $200 The Gunbroker buyer must not visit Machinegun Boards as the Gordon H. family member liquidating his remaining spare parts tins has been previously mentioned in several threads.

Gordon would be pleased that his creations have become Thompson collectors' items.

As with all things Kahr, some tinkering is in order. Your testing of the system is greatly appreciated. You clearly have access to a range whereyou can make changes on site. Mt "local" range sort of frowns upon taking the guns apart on the line. I only get away with it because I'm a member in good standing. However, it's a 45min drive. I have to bring EVERYTHING with me, as they don't loan tools, unless it's to make a gun safe for transport, even though I'm a member in good standing. I usually bring in way more than I actually need because of this. They don't allow high-powered rounds like .30-06, so I have to travel at least an hour to the next nearest range to fire my 03A3, Garand or OOW BAR. I can hardly believe that they let me shoot my new semi STG44. Yeah, it sux. Karl

Well, no i havent done any slow motion of factory kahr guns. They dont run well enough as supplied. This was with factory springs. Ez pull did not work well. The frt operation steals some energy from the cycling process. I did another test with a longer firing pin spring and it seemed to eliminate the problem. Ill add the video later.

With David's permission I'm listing my Colt 1928 Navy This Colt Thompson was purchased by the Oak Park Illinois police department in June 1934. This Thompson has the original barrel, wood and internals and two piece actuator. The wood has been refinished in the past. This Thomson has been expertly re-blued, the lettering is nice and sharp no buffing marks or shadowing. Everthing in the pictures is included in the sale. Fox reproduction police case, Gordon Herigstad reproduction cleaning rod and spare part kit with US GI small parts. Four re-blued Patent Dated XX magazines, original finish Worcester 2nd generation L drum, wooden display stand, original manual and FOIA paperwork. $42,500

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWwwjObiPCx/?igsh=MWcxMjdkMXd1bnh0eQ== the developer posted a message saying with the help of Dan and a few other people they think they have it sorted out and it will be available again shortly !

The top one is a Catco Sterling (built on Sten Mk II tube) and the one underneath is a Sterling Mk. 5 (DLO Sten tube, SRT suppressor,gun built by John Andrewski). I have a good pile of 34 round Sterling magazines, 26 I believe with some NIW and also three of the rare 45 round magazines (made by the Chilean national armory?). They are both so much fun to shoot!

Thanks for asking MN Shooter; I'm still kicking, but not as high as I used to. I have not fully retired but don't do the full refurbishes I used to. sse: I have a couple of the threaded ring sights in stock, email me: p-k at myctl dot net Best wishes to everyone 🙂

If you look at the right side of the spring in the picture you will see the end has a larger coil. That goes in the hole on the sear first, not left sticking out.

Nice find! Congrats and thanks for the look.

Over lube is never a solution to a mechanical issue. I run most of my guns nearly dry. Nearly meaning thin film on bolt.

This is a picture of a genuine U.S. Marine Corps "Service Kit." In all my years collecting and researching the Thompson submachine gun, I have only seen one. It is pictured on the next page in my Amateur's Guide book (page 140). Sometimes books can save you a lot of misery (and money).

I stopped using PayPal because of several reports of them being anti-gun and refusing to help anyone with a gun-related payment problem. Seems they prohibit use of the service for even gun parts.

Honoring those who served. Don't envy a man and his medals, all those ribbons on his chest, He did not try to get them, they're not there at his request, They were earned in stinking hell holes, where no man would like to go, Or in cold and wintry places, where there's only ice and snow. He did not know he earned them, till they were awarded at parade, They were bright when he first got them, but in time the colours fade, He was told he had to wear them, and to wear them all with pride, But when the memories come to haunt him, those same medals make him hide. Cause those medals will not bring back, all those guys he left behind, And he would trade them all forever, for a little peace of mind. So don't envy a man his medals, you don't want to take his place, Thinking back to long gone battles, and meeting dead friends face to face. There is discipline in a Soldier, can see it when he walks, There is honour in a Soldier, you hear it when he talks, There is courage in a Soldier you can see it in his eyes, There is loyalty in a Soldier that he will not compromise. There is something in a Soldier that makes him stand apart, There is strength in a Soldier that beats from his heart, A Soldier isn't a title, any man can be hired to do, A Soldier is the soul of that man, buried deep inside of you. A Soldier's job isn't finished, after an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week, A Soldier is always a Soldier even while he sleeps. A Soldier serves his country first, and his life is left behind, A Soldier has to sacrifice, what comes first in a civilian's mind. If you are civilian, I am saying this to you, Next time you see a Soldier remember what they do, A Soldier is the one that is brave, protecting you and me, And If you know A Soldier, I am saying this to you. Lest we forget

Here’s a stunning memorial to the Royal Marine Commandos at Spean Bridge in Scotland.Three Commandos (you can only see two of them from this angle) wearing their WW2 uniforms complete with caps (cap comforters) and ammo pouches. The second of the pair in view is armed with an unmodified horizontal foregrip 1928A1. You can also make out the quick release mechanism on the on the rear of the receiver.

It also comes down to the “I feel like I need to stand out more” like the guys who feel they have to have the 4 position HK packs because it’s a cool factor. I’ll go ahead and say it-if you take someone out with a Swedish K and within half a mag can’t get them to pull singles, either the shooter doesn’t want to, or you suck at showing how easy it is….yep I said it LOL

Balder, That is excellent improvising, A+ from me. The ability to survive depends on the ability to adapt, they say. If you look at the first 'improvised display' in the post, I had no display stands. So for the next one, with a little more planning, I was improvising myself. If you look at the photo and post on the June 15, 2025, I made some crude, but effective, display stands for TSMGs fitted with XX mags. Made from spare wood l had lying around my garage, see subsequent posts, dated July 22 & 23, 2025. I also had two Denix display stands for the Model of 1921 and one of the Model of 1928's fitted with an 'L' drum, which are a good design. These clearly show the drum and their markings. I tried to find more Denix display stands in the UK, without success. However, fellow forum member, cincylance, came to my rescue with his excellent display stands, for the next display. They are very discreet, but well made and sturdy. They don't distract from the Thompson guns iconic silhouette, fitted with the 'L' drum. For the next display, I now have two cincylance display stands, so I can display the other two Model of 1928's, wth two more 'L' drums. There is always room for improvement. 👌

Today, I came across this picture, that i had not seen before. The 13th Half Brigade of the Foreign Legion, (13eDBLE), fought right through 2nd World War with the Free French Forces from 1940. They were based in England for a period of time, following their evacuation from Norway, following the battle of Narvik. In this picture, they are parading in Dijon, France, in Sept. 1944. The first ranks are armed with M1A1's, with BARs in the rank following them.

During my research for my Reising book, years ago I found a lot of Marine Corps documents at the National Archives in College Park, MD. I though I would post a few here to stimulate this thread. Many explain Marine requests that resulted in the Reising M50 2nd Model, often (incorrectly) referred to as the "Military Model". There was no official designation by H&R or the Marine Corps other than the Model 50 or 55. Unfortunately, There isn't enough room for all of the documents.

On the FB Thompson page, an owner of one posted a bunch of videos showing how it works. From his videos he shows the trigger reset happening just like any other AR frt does. Check it out if your on that page !

I just paid $100 for one last month. I don't think $900 is the going rate.

It appears there are small pits on the floor plate and lower front that are finished over. If so, this is evidence of refinishing. Remove the floor plate and look inside the backstrap to see if there are any markings. If present, this would indicated post -Colt era production (Thompson SMG Magazines: 1917-2012, by Roger Herbst p 139).

If it was one of the 2 that were on sale for around $500 very recently, they look to have been refinished at the very least. For 100+ years old, they look too good. I think they are original, although I am no expert, just not in original condition. Assuming it was one of those.

So there you have it. Given the initial post above I can see why. But then again, in the long run, registering what may be the last "batch" of hidden or unregistered SMG's would be a good thing for the ATF, the police and the country.

Your getting all worked up about something that will never happen. Once the government takes away freedoms, you never get them back. Change will only occur from a refusal to obey, supported by violence if necessary.

Hi all, I have recently acquired a tripod transport case but it is missing the two wooden inserts that hold the legs and head down. Does anyone have drawings/dimensions of the wooden inserts so I can make them. Or, does anyone have a idea of how I could easily "pattern" the missing parts. Thank you in advance. As a side question....I also have the companion 1942 made Vickers / Lewis transport case. Would love to know what else goes in all the nooks and crannies besides the gun itself. It appears there are lots of areas where maybe tools, belts, sights, barrels would go. I looked in the "Grand ole lady" book but nothing really in there to answer my questions. Again, Thank you for your response! Chip (new vickers wilson sideplate owner)

Here's what I did with the tripod case many years ago, it turned into a display table. -Balder

Not sure if this is posted anywhere else here but thought this was an interesting lawsuit: Gun groups challenge federal law banning mailing handguns Robert

Back from an impromptu 'show and tell' at the Blyth Battery Museum. My intention was to show them some of my collection and idea I had for a display and talk; Once they saw the items I took they asked if I could show it today, so I did! Seemed to go well, loads of interest. They asked if they advertise for a 'Thompson weekend' in June, if I could do it again. Also booked for another 'show and tell' at a 1940's weekend at another location by a museum visitor who was impressed by the display.

I bought Dolf Goldsmith's L/39 Lahti last year. This is my 4th and last. My only regret was selling them. It came with 130 rounds of ammo the coffin and accessories sans the spare parts kit (looking for one of them) In addition, I have also accumulated 105 rounds of brass that is now being reloaded. The recoil does not bother me. The 4 newbies that shot it didn't think the recoil was that detrimental. They all hunt with these big ass African magnum cartridges ie; 416 Rigby, 338 Lapua, some Kynoch Nitro Express this or that etc. that (to me) kick a lot worse than a Lahti. As far as transport, we have trucks in Texas. I did transport one, uncovered, in the back of an El Camino through downtown Memphis once. No tailgaters. I'm with johnsomlmg41, the coffin will be used as mine too.