Mk VII

It's probably barbecue paint or cylinder head paint.

I would think it unlikely the US would be procuring this item on Reverse Lend-Lease this late. And such items usually say 'BRITISH MADE' somewhere inside. The hand-stamped hollow rivets are not up to Mill's normal standard of work.

You may be disappointed when you see the condition of the gun. Some departments here destroy the gun after six months if it's not needed as evidence, regardless of whether the owner can be traced.

Thought it said Arthur's Round Table at first.

There was probably a large 'end buy' of spare parts, designed to keep the Thompsons serviceable for as far in the future as seemed desirable.

All Colt-made ones are expensive. If you break the parts you wipe value off the gun. For that reason many users substitute WW2 1928 parts for actual shooting. The WW2 Savage & AOC Bridgeport guns are cheaper and most, if not all, will have been rebuilt at least once. Parts situation is much better, tho' supplies are finite. The West Hurley ones are least desirable of all due to the numerous engineering problems documented with them. Problems which can be fixed, for a price.

Looks like a newly-made knock-off one.

revolvers instead of .45s?

Hooks of this type, in various widths, are often found on British .22 target rifle slings. It was common to have an eye screwed into the stock of a Martini conversion.

Mk VII, what is the purpose of that notch, or cut, in your receiver behind the grip mount? It's a cut they make during the deactivation process, intended to make life difficult for people reactivating it. It's not my gun, just one I photographed some years ago.

Yes, I know Fitos as well, known him for years.

I remain sceptical; eight loaded XX magazines is a great weight and to have it all suspended from the braces, flapping around because it's just held there by the friction in the buckle ... they don't do anything that the ordinary pouches don’t do and if you wanted more mags, why not just use the utility pouches which are already in stock and can be secured round the body?

A number of US police departments reportedly modified them for drums after WW2. Or somebody else could have ...

For a dummy gun, I suppose it might be adequate.

There is no significant body of public opinion to be placated by changing it (yet again). And they have more important Euro matters to consider as a priority first. Older deacts are not supposed to change hands but a large gray market exists amongst people doing it anyway. You are supposed to notify the gov when one of the current spec ones changes hands, but I doubt if many people do.