gunhistorian Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 The thompsongunireland website does not state specifically where the gun is. There are four museums operated by the Ireland Defense Force. It probably is in the Collins Barracks Museum in Cork, but this is just a guess. The caption to the photo on the website states "found on the floor of a water well where it had been abandoned after the Irish Civil War ended in 1923." That is not, of course, saying that it was abandoned in 1923! Thanks, Michael, for the photos of the magazine. It does, indeed, look home-made, but what a great job and fine craftsmanship. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1921A Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 765 21D Is there a legible serial number visible on the gun you refer to as #1234? I'm curious because Colt Thompson #1234 was part of my collection for more than a decade. It's a documented Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency gun and now resides with a new owner in Virginia, I believe. Perhaps he will weigh in on this with a picture. If the gun in your picture is marked 1234 then we have a very interesting situation. 1921A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3bobby Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 There was a 1928A1 with an IRA connection for sale in the UK recently. It had the serial ground away and it was said to be part of a consignment of captured guns sold off by HM Government to a film prop company in the 1970s. These were released onto the civilian market in the 1990s so I'm guessing (And it is just a guess) that it was Bapty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
765 21D Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 (edited) 765 21D Is there a legible serial number visible on the gun you refer to as #1234? I'm curious because Colt Thompson #1234 was part of my collection for more than a decade. It's a documented Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency gun and now resides with a new owner in Virginia, I believe. Perhaps he will weigh in on this with a picture. If the gun in your picture is marked 1234 then we have a very interesting situation. 1921AHi 1921A Irish Swords: How The Thompson SMG Came To Ireland I believe the website (thefirarmbolog.com) have made a mistake with the serial number as it is number 1234 in the photo caption, but changes to 1235 in the written text. I am sorry for any confusion in my post. The funny thing is I already knew about the mistake with the serial number as I have my own database on the 1921's that were smuggled into Ireland, but I have it on my backup hard drive. Regards D Our other Irish gun is serial 1235, a later purchase, being one of 300 shipped on the 24th of August 1923 to M.Fitzgerald Co. New York City, N.Y. (thanks again to Mr Herigstad). Though not quite as historic as 212, it is the more original example of the iconic Model of 1921, featuring the original selector markings, knurled controls, and the correct working parts. - See more at: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/05/19/irish-swords-thompson-smg-ireland/#sthash.IcYwGzhF.dpuf Edited December 17, 2014 by 765 21D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3bobby Posted December 20, 2014 Report Share Posted December 20, 2014 Heres that 1928A1 I mentioned http://www.gunstar.co.uk/thompson-1928a1-pistol-hand-guns-for-sale-in-scottish-border/Other-Military-Guns/717770 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
765 21D Posted December 21, 2014 Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 (edited) Hi, This is my IRA 1928A1 it's one of about four that I believe came from bapty's The Blish Lock has been ground down to make the gun fire at a faster rate. However, this was a bad idea as the Buttstock has cracked. Here are some better photos of the one i believe is in the link Edited April 14, 2015 by 765 21D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunhistorian Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 What is the hex-head screw in the butt stock for? Wonder where the IRA picked this up? Also, it looks like a serial number was restamped with an S prefix. . . Or is this a British serial number? Just curious. . . Nothing better to do than to ponder impossible and unanswerable questions. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
765 21D Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 What is the hex-head screw in the butt stock for? Wonder where the IRA picked this up? Also, it looks like a serial number was restamped with an S prefix. . . Or is this a British serial number? Just curious. . . Nothing better to do than to ponder impossible and unanswerable questions. . .Hi gunhistorian, The hex head screw is a fix for a stress crack in the butstock that I believe was caused by the Blish Lock being ground down. Thompsons were still being shipped to the iRA in the 1960's and 70's. I am not sure about the new numbers but I think those numbers were given to the guns after they were captured. It is interesting to note that both of the Thompson's buttstocks have an X carved into them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
765 21D Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) Here are some images of Colt Thompson gun number 936. This gun is one of two IRA Thompson guns in the imperial War Museum. There are no photos of the serial number side of this 1921 (All credit for these photos to the Imperial War Museum London England) Edited April 14, 2015 by 765 21D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
765 21D Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 (edited) Brand new photos of IRA Colt Thompson number 940. USA looks double stamped in the address? You will only see this when you save the photo, but It could be an error with the photo. Edited April 14, 2015 by 765 21D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lammerlaw Posted July 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 (edited) After a year or two absence I am back! I forgot that I was a member of this site. I am well aware of the secret serial numbers but even so cannot view enough of the one on the back of the barrel to positively ID it - I have tried mirrors and plasticine to get an impression and all I positively know is that all three numbers have rounded tops so will be 8 or 9 in all probability. The bottom section of the receiver did have a different serial number so it was apparent that the guns were disassembled and reassembled when the numbers were being obliterated or shortly after. I say this because the old scratch marks on the bottom and top match so that it would be safe to say that the top and bottom sections of the receiver have been together for the duration of the guns existence. I strongly suspect that most if not all of the IRA Thompsons are the same in that the components got mixed at some time early in their history but in most cases this could be neither proven nor disproven.. Mine comes with two original mags, an unmarked one and one with patent dates to Jan 11 1921. Edited August 2, 2016 by Lammerlaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantpanda4 Posted August 1, 2016 Report Share Posted August 1, 2016 Welcome back! Very interesting observations. It means that gun is definitely wearing a barrel from under 1000 S/N. Three digits, all rounded letters... can you get some pics? I used a dental mirror and was able to see mine. That is a very interesting gun. I know there are a few more Irish Swords in New Zealand as well. Must be nice to be able to bring them into your country. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lammerlaw Posted August 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2016 Photos including the two original magazines that came with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_brock Posted August 2, 2016 Report Share Posted August 2, 2016 Photos including the two original magazines that came with it.Into Civil War guns too!!! Sweet photos. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lammerlaw Posted August 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2016 Three more photos of my IRA Thompson gun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full auto 45 Posted August 4, 2016 Report Share Posted August 4, 2016 4 Irish swords in New Zealand. A unique photo of four "Irish Swords". All Brothers in arms. Serial numbers are 708, 586. 389 & 993.Note the "first 100" Aut-Ord-Co bullet logo on the top of the receivers. http://www.mikesmachineguns.com/files/4_Irish_swords.jpg http://www.mikesmachineguns.com/files/irish_sword_side_by_side.jpg http://www.mikesmachineguns.com/files/Irish_sword_2.jpg http://www.mikesmachineguns.com/files/Irish_sword_1.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
765 21D Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 (edited) The Imperial War Museum London listing : 383 5/18/21 Amer Rail Exp CO. N.Y. G.G Rourke 2nd Shipment (Old listing) Now the online collections lists these ex IRA 21 Thompson numbers 880 6/7/21 Amer Rail Exp CO. N.Y. G.G Rourke 2nd Shipment http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30029260 This next one is really interesting, as the site claims it is gun number 936 http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30029433 936 is listed in The Ultimate Thompson book "Home to Mother" serial numbers listing on page 716, as an order for Santa Maria Cal Police Dept. What does Gordon's book say about this early 1921? (I made a mistake here, as Thompson number 935 is the Santa Maria gun) This was the old photo of the gun the museum claims is 936. I am inclined to believe the museum are correct about the serial number. Edited September 4, 2016 by 765 21D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph12297 Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 Hi Hope all is well, have not spoken to you in a while. Gordon's last book has a blank line for 936, no info whatsoever Larry A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD. Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 (edited) Please double check: My copy of The Ultimate Thompson Book on Page 716 lists NO 935 as going to the Santa Maria, California Police Department. No information is listed for NO 936. It just may be NO 936 at the Imperial War Museum! Edited September 4, 2016 by TD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
765 21D Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 Yes TD you are right 936 is blank, that print is so small to my eyes How about 880? Does Gordon's book have anything on that one because I have not seen it listed at the IWM until now. D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
765 21D Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 Hi Larry, I am doing OK, but most of my Thompson's have been sold, due to the EU bs D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph12297 Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 Sorry to hear the EU continues to infringe on law abiding citizens rights Gordon's book has 880, shipped 6/7/21, as one of the American Railway guns, seized on the "Eastside" ship 6/14/21. Donation from the British War Office. Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London 1994 Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R/R Bull Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 I have Colt number 935. I obtained this weapon from the Santa Maria PD over 35 years ago. Gordon H. Looked at it and said it was probably pulled from the rack for a single sale while the others made the trip to Ireland. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
765 21D Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 (edited) Sorry to hear the EU continues to infringe on law abiding citizens rights Gordon's book has 880, shipped 6/7/21, as one of the American Railway guns, seized on the "Eastside" ship 6/14/21. Donation from the British War Office. Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London 1994 LarryHi Larry, Thanks for the information on 880, at least I know when they got 880 now. This is the info that used to be on the IWM databse for 936? History Note:Part of the IRA's 1921 purchase of 495 Thompsons, which was the Auto-Ordnance Corporation's first major sale. Inferred from the serial numberPhysical descriptionFiring pin cut, barrel drilled The question is will the Thompson in the IWM be accepted as Thompson gun number 936 and will the database on this site be updated? I don't know if any of the 3 ex IRA 1921 Thompsons are on display in the museum, but none of them were viewable the last time I went to the museum. I emailed the museum i n 2014 and I was told they were not currently on display, but the museum had plans to do something on the troubles in Ireland. D Edited September 4, 2016 by 765 21D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
765 21D Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 I have Colt number 935. I obtained this weapon from the Santa Maria PD over 35 years ago. Gordon H. Looked at it and said it was probably pulled from the rack for a single sale while the others made the trip to Ireland.It's nce to know you have Colt Thompson number 935! D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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