Bill in VA

I had no idea they were so rare/unusual. I believe I have a few somewhere in my stash. I also have a few odd XXX mags that look like they’re finished in a heavy grey epoxy/ceramic.

The seller’s user name is dropdbomb and is from Tampa, FL. There used to be (still is?) a scammer and crook named Dana Reed of Tampa, FL. He frequently used that handle, and often used the alias of Dan Perez. He also used to use the handle nukem99 and had a “business” named ASC International and/Arms Sourcing Corp. He used to big into HK stuff, as well. Deal with this person at your own risk.

FM 23-40 is the army field manual for the TSMG. If you’re ok with a reprint, Amazon has it for $20. https://www.amazon.com/Manual-Thompson-Submachine-Caliber-M1928A1/dp/B0CN4DX2MW The Technical Manual (i.e., maintenance) is TM 9-1215. You can find a free copy of it here: https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/TM/pdfs/TM9-1215.pdf Both of these turn up on occasion at gun shows, flea markets, Show of Shows, etc and don’t seem to be too expensive. I think I may have paid +/-$25 for mine. HTH

IIRC, this is the M1928 sling; a shorter version of the Kerr sling first used on the M1917 service rifle, an intended for the TSMG.

Thanks for the offer, Scott. I’ve got 16 Sterling magazines and three pouches so I think I’m set for the time being. As an FYI, Apex has Sterling magazines at $52 ea. right now…pretty good price, IMHO. They also have a pretty decent selection of small parts like extractors. Likewise, Old Arms of Idaho still has a few complete parts kits in stock - barrel and magazine included - for $600. No idea on a speed loader, though.

A Sterling L2A3, made by CPS on a virgin DLO Sterling receiver. These CPS guns are about as close as one can get to an MoD gun, short of joining 2 Para or nicking one from Cousin Eamon down on the Falls Road. Relatively fast turn-around for a paper Form 4 - just a few days past four months. (Still a far reach from the six weeks my Thompson took, back in 1999.) I picked up the gun this morning, and I mailed off the VASP Form SP115 for my “green ticket” this afternoon. The last photo is a stock image from the dealer’s web site. The gun came with a nice wooden case, four magazines (three NIW), sling, NIW bayonet, and MoD user’s manual.

Just picked up my new gun this morning. (Sterling L2A3) Paper Form 4 from dealer to individual was just a tad over four months from mailing until approval. Mailed June 11, 2024; pending June 18, 2024; approved Oct 23, 2024; received by dealer; retrieved by me today, Nov 4, 2024

More importantly, whadjugit? 😁 Details, man! Details!

Be patient and use the time to stock up on ammo, magazines, spare parts, books, accessories, etc.

Wow! They’ve certainly gone up in price, dramatically! I remember buying 30 rounders at 10 for $50 at the local shows. I bought a barrel for $55 from old “Doc” Davis. Times do change…

Is the barrel or bolt present?

I don’t know how many, if any, knew Dr. Lawrence Heiskell. Lawrence dropped from a massive heart attack about two weeks ago, and passed away Saturday morning. (Oct. 1, 2022.) His funeral service will be at his home in Rancho Mirage on the 15th. He had a fairly sizable collection of TSMGs (and an equally impressive collection of Reisings.) Many of his guns appear in several of our collector books

Another Irish Sword. No idea on the serial number though; I spoke with the docent in the office next to the display and he had no idea either. Regardless, this one is on display at Caernarfon castle in Wales, in the Welsh Fusiliers’ museum as part of a display of weapons seized from the IRA.

IIRC, Buddy Hinton had a bunch at point.

This is the gun I know of.