Merry Ploughboy

The felt washer might be an expedient oil spray reduction/prevention device put in there by someone who did not care for the oil spray inherent to the implementation of the Blish delayed blowback system with internal oiling pads in the Models 1921 and 1928. Some of you may recall that several years ago I posted that I personally use a no. 34 36 o-ring stretched over the pilot on the outside of the receiver as a similar reduction/prevention technique. While such types of devices reduce some of the spray, there is still an amount of oil blowback at the rear from the interface between the receiver and trigger frame. MHO, YMMV, etc.

Keep on enjoying safe shooting with your M1A1 Thompson for many years. Be well.

Reminds me of the tag line in an old ad Colt's used to run in their gun magazine AR-15 ads: "If it's not a Colt, it's a copy."

If you feel the cost is worth it, the AGI Thompson Submachine Guns Technical Manual & Armorer's Course DVD covers the semi auto Thompson as well as the submachine gun; and shows how to take apart and reassemble the trigger group parts. I assume that you already know this, but as a note of caution: The video fails to warn you that for the semi auto Thompson, when you remove/install the upper from/to the lower, the selector must be in the "FIRE" position. Best of luck. MHO, YMMV, etc. Be well.

A state or local as appropriate FOIA request might provide the information as to whom the police department sold the Thompson. FWIW, I have a Colt Thompson that was bought by a firearms dealer and sold to a state law enforcement agency. The state FOIA request response person was very quick to respond and very courteous; but was not able to help as that particular state has a 25 year limitation on holding records. In any case, best of luck.

Yeah, to have chrome plate as the outer layer on steel, the standard process was copper, then nickel, then chrome. FWIW, that plus a few details of the current and voltage was a question on the P.E. exam way back when I took it.

firearm "Nick", A nice example the "TOMMY GUN" marked variant. Thanks for sharing.

The frame latch and its spring might also be salvageable.

Brooks & Dunn are correct - It will be alright as long as there's light from a neon moon.

"Sue" was already taken.

Ma Barker was quite a handsome woman.

"I had to drink the cheap ale at the pub last night, and now this!"

I think in today's political climate, we shouldn't be concerned about how the follower and spring were oriented when first assembled, but rather than be judgmental, only consider and be tolerant of how they now identify. MHO, YMMV, etc. Be well. MP

...That PD mustve had a good sized budget for arms... Or money from outside of their budget. The Texas Rangers got the funds for four of their Colt TSMGs from an undisclosed donor.

For an M1, I'd say three each of the 20s and 30s should be sufficient for general shooting. If you also want to collect mags, then get at least one pristine example from each manufacturer; and if you're a serious collector also get as many of the WWII special types (e.g., variations within a manufacturer, "V" stamped, soldered holes) from as many of the manufacturers as you can afford. Best of luck. MHO, YMMV, etc. Be Well. MP

For those not familiar with Uzitalk, there are some significant differences. For one, the sell/buy process on Uzitalk is a no cost, no approval necessary section of forums; but all discussion with respect to the items bought/sold must be done outside of the section/forum, e.g., via the personal message section. Also, the MACTalk section of Uzitalk is the most active forum; and it is almost a website unto itself, with a 'unique personality'. MHO, YMMV, etc. Best of luck to all. MP

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) is similar to the BATFE in that a limited number of Examiners review submitted documents for approval. A patent application submitted to the PTO for examination has a PTO goal of initial review at or before 14 months from receipt. However, the PTO provides for expedited examination to applicants who are 65 years old or older (or who meet other designated considerations). Write your Senators and Congressman and ask for legislation to provide a similar age of applicant based expedited review at the BATFE. Be well, 2A

Thanks for sharing. The former Marine TSMG video was nicely done. To be a bit pedantic (ref. video at c. 2.44), the 21, 28 and M1 TSMGs do not use a fixed firing pin. The fixed firing pin was part of the M1A1 changes. MHO, YMMV, etc. Be well. MP

+1

The NAVY Thompson that I used to have had the third generation actuator. IIRC, there was some documentation that indicated the gun had been originally purchased (at an unstated date) by the LEO as a 21A ,and was sent back in 1936 to get converted to the NAVY configuration.

Congratulations. Enjoy many happy and safe times with your Colt Thompson! And to paraphrase the Patek Phillipe tag line, we never really own a Colt Thompson; we only take care of it for the next generation.

Along the same lines, for years I read that "There were only about 40 1921s that were reworked into Model 1927s". But GH's Numbers book shows that at least just over 100 Model 1927s were made. I think that representation of the numbers that are 'on the BATFE registry and transferrable' is often confused with the actual numbers made for both 28/Navy models and 1927 models. MHO, YMMV, etc.

What?!! You actually use your Fox case? When I got mine, I carefully took it out of the shipping box and excellent packing, took pictures of it, and carefully returned it to an 'as shipped' state without so much as bringing a firearm anywhere near it. And I'm guessing that I'm not the only one who's done the same or similar.

I don't have any experience because, for me, it's not worth the money as I have .22LR conversion kits for M16 and Uzi machine guns. Best of luck with whatever you decide. MHO, YMMV, etc. Be well. MP

The trigger frame of my 2012 vintage 27A1 is hand etched inside with the serial number of the receiver. So I'm guessing that there may have been at least some hand fitting of the trigger frame to the receiver with the S/N i.d. number added to ensure that they were kept matched. MHO, YMMV, etc. Be well.