ineverlistentoFM Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Hi group. I am new to Colt Thompson's though I have covetted a Thompson since I went to my eighth grade Washington D.C. trip and saw an FBI agent demonstrate one; unfortunately, being from NJ, i never thought I could own one and always were told they were very expensive. Having moved to Virginia in 2002 (I wish i knew they were only 5k back then), I didn't pursue it. Anyway, I have a savage barrel, (had a 2nd gen cutts compensator on it) marked "S" and wanted to make sure that the barrel that I am comparing it to is a Colt barrel. The "colt" barrel has a mark to line up on the top receiver and has not other markings; i didn't know if my "colt" barrel has rounded enough edges or if the fins were the correct thickness (i read these got smaller as the serial numbers go up?). Were the "lines" only on Colt barrels and receivers? Thanks and correct me if I have made any mistakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Fliegenheimer Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 ineverlistentoFM Upper barrel appears to be Colt/Remington. If it were one of the earliest barrels it would have the receiver serial number on the breech face. The barrel fin thickness discrepancy has no bearing on high or low serial numbers. I see that you have Roger Cox's book. I know he does mention this, but it has no validity. Does the Colt/Remington muzzle threads have a grove for a pin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 The correct term for the lines you refer to is "witness marks". They are to ensure that when the barrel is screwed into the receiver of a gun, the front sight will be exactly vertical. However, this is not important on the Thompson because the front sight is a separate item, attached and aligned after the barrel has been fitted. The reason for the inclusion of witness marks in the Thompson design appears to be the old, "Well, we've always done it this way. Why stop now?" mentality, even though they serve no useful purpose, other than being an unintended way of allowing collectors to tell if the barrel has been replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrylta Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Just curious A1, which kingdom do you reside in?-Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Fliegenheimer Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 The correct term for the lines you refer to is "witness marks". They are to ensure that when the barrel is screwed into the receiver of a gun, the front sight will be exactly vertical. However, this is not important on the Thompson because the front sight is a separate item, attached and aligned after the barrel has been fitted. The reason for the inclusion of witness marks in the Thompson design appears to be the old, "Well, we've always done it this way. Why stop now?" mentality, even though they serve no useful purpose, other than being an unintended way of allowing collectors to tell if the barrel has been replaced. A non perfect alignment of "witness marks" / "index marks" / "drawlines" is not soley indicative of a barrel substitution. http://www.machinegunboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13868&hl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ineverlistentoFM Posted September 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 thanks all; what are other ways to tell of a Colt replaced barrel (while on the topic), besides the barrel looking "newer" than the top receiver as Mr. Cox Esq. warns? I have read on previous threads that the index line or mark sometimes didn't quite line up even if the barrel is original... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 (edited) Darryl,I live in Massachusetts. Not only that, I live in the middle of the city of Cambridge (almost exactly geographically, by the way). So the only way to enjoy my replica Thompson without creating a big misunderstanding is to shoot in my basement (less than 20 feet in which to shoot and it makes a big mess with BB's all over the place) or go down to my cousin's house in Connecticut (he lives near a forested area) which is not always convenient. Arthur,I was not aware of that thread. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. Edited September 9, 2012 by Annihilator I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ineverlistentoFM Posted September 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 Arthur--i have a the pic that you requested--i don't believe there was ever a compensator installed, only one thread that is imperfect--perhaps that is evidence enough?...check it out. thanks for your interest! ~I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Fliegenheimer Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 Arthur--i have a the pic that you requested--i don't believe there was ever a compensator installed, only one thread that is imperfect--perhaps that is evidence enough?...check it out. thanks for your interest! ~I A spare Colt/Remington barrel that was never mounted to a receiver is unusual to say the least. A Colt/Remington barrel threaded for a 1st or 2nd Cutts sans pin grove would suggest that this is the case. If the barrel was parted out from a Colt TSMG whose receiver was cut up it would surely have the grove. Can you say where this barrel came from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ineverlistentoFM Posted September 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 i wish i knew something...came from a guy's dad's estate...all i know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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