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Looking at Arthur's post above, it goes back to the 1920's, at least. "May 10, 1922 publicity photo of John T. Thompson showing off his smg complete with highlighted markings. If it was good enough for the Brigadier..."

Thanks. I have a white Lacquer stick arriving tomorrow, so I'll try that on the markings on the receivers.

JD, Sorry for delay, this edition was published in January 1941. Hope that helps Richard

First attempts

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 ‘China’ 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?🙄

Tommy Guns, Fists and Coffee Cups: USS Buckley Repels Nazi Boarders Excellent story, worth reading.. true heros https://www.thearmorylife.com/tommy-guns-fists-and-coffee-cups-uss-buckley-repels-nazi-boarders/ Richard

You can find them in Europe, but you have the issue with import restrictions into the USA, unfortunately 😢

Excellent collection and display. You'll have to get some better shots of those Thompsons, hidden behind the HMG display. 👍🏼

Jake, If you are based in the USA, I believe APEX gun parts have some. Richard

Mike, Thankyou for this kind words and I will make sure I get some photos of the display next weekend at the Battery Museum. Richard

Top tip from Tracie, Just ordered one for my upcoming display later this month in the UK. thanks🙏🏼

JD, I am away from home at the moment, but I'll get back to you after the weekend with the details. The cash from the sale of these is going to purchase display stands, another manikin to display the US Thompson pouches etc. All for my upcoming 'show and tell' at the Blyth Battery Museum later this month, so it'll look a lot more professional than the last ad hoc unprepared display. Doing my bit to keep the Thompson history alive. 🫡 Have a good weekend.

Here you go...

Colt 8946 has a colorful history and over a page of history in Gordons book.

Tracie, Your display is a hard act to follow, it is excellent.

It is mentioned in the topic above http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/Mags/Maguire Era XX Patent Date 20-24_Web.JPG You could also invest in Roger Herbst book, 'Thompson Submachine Gun magazines 2917-2021', which explains all you need to know about all the Thompson magazines that were produced.

Thanks Karl. Looked on line they all look slightly different from the one I found. Screw tops, rather than smooth top for a cork and writing in the glass, mine does not have any. Guess there has been a few versions made over the years.

I am curious of the origin/ history of the Tommy gun bottles. Does anyone know who made them and when?

Excellent issue, I enjoyed reading it, thanks to Tom, who forwarded me a copy 🙏🏼

Just found a Tommy gun bottle, unfortunately already empty 🫣 But it is a start to my project.

Tom, Thanks for that input and I agree everything moves very quickly when you are in the middle of a war, priorities certainly change.

😟😢

Like this one... 6 shot glasses too!

Oops and 616...went to GG Rorke 636 & 686 went to P.J. Gentry, another IRA gun runner.

WCG, Looks like yours may have been one of the Thompsons discovered on the SS Eastside back in June 1921, as I believe my example was too. My receiver could be 524, 584 or 594, the later appears to be the most probable, and the trigger frame appears to be 842. All four numbers were shipped via Gordon George Rorke according to Gordon Herigstads book. As were 606, 646, 666, 676 and 696.