This topic has given me an idea for the upcoming 'Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story' Display at the Blyth Battery Museum. I have started to use the technique in the 2nd older related topic, started by ppgcowboy 'Highlighting the Letters on the Receiver', using a โChinaโ pencil, a rag and WD40, on some of my 'L' drums and box magazines, with great effect.
My idea is to do the same with the receiver markings on the respective Thompsons in my collection.
This is in prepartion for next weekend, to entertain and gain interest from the younger visitors, I'll can ask them if they can spot the differences between the Thompsons, not only the markings for this one, but also the evolution of the WW2 shortcuts / cost svaings, knurling on selectors/ actuators, battle sights, smooth barrel and finally the M1/A1. Obviously with the 1928's there are the two with the NY address and one with the Bridgeport and then the change in location of the address and patent numbers with the last 1928's / the arrival of the 1928A1's.
My other idea is to ask them to spot the differences in the 'L' Drum markings and how many different manufacturers of the box magazines they can spot.
Hopefully it'll make it a more interactive experience, than a usual museum visit. What can go wrong?๐