Thompson WWII Oiler Variant

[aut-ord-co]

Back in Sep 2011, In Case Anyone Is Interested. (post #31), I posted some photos of Thompson oilers ( Colt nickel, WWII black crackle finish and WWII black painted finish) noting differences and specific markings.

The original post concerned repro Colt oilers being marketed at the time and not appropriately marked.

 

Last week I aquired this Thompson WWII black painted oiler. I guess it could be described as a new variation but right now I'll just say I haven't seen one like it before.

 

If one exists, there are probably a mittful someplace, or perhaps someone here knows that they were used in another weapon.

 

The difference is that instead of the usual "reeding" that extends down the length of the oiler cap, this example has a smooth cap and kind of a knurled ring around near the center of the cap.

 

It has a black painted finish and not the black crackle variety finish and it also has the NOERA info on the bottom which is similar to other black painted oilers.

 

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/rw50/New%20TSMG%20Oiler/varoiler1.jpg

Colt Nickel WWII Black Crackle WWII Black Painted WWII Black Painted w/Knurled Ring

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/rw50/New%20TSMG%20Oiler/varoiler2.jpg

 

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/rw50/New%20TSMG%20Oiler/varoiler3.jpg

 

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/rw50/New%20TSMG%20Oiler/varoiler4.jpg

 

Maybe others have observed this variation.

[ron_brock]

I have noticed other oilers of the period that have the same construction of cap. It is possible that this cap came from another oil can. Somewhere I have some pictures of a similar style vintage oil can. I will have to find it take them again. If the only difference is the cap, I would lean toward this possibility however it still could be another manufacture of the cap.

 

Ron

[pjr2412]

I have one that also has the ring in the cap. The finish is a matte black. It came in a batch of oilers I purchased a number of years ago.

 

Paul

 

[Kocapuff1]

Paul,

 

Wow you have the same cap! I would say that this proves there is this rare variant out there. Pretty interesting cap/oiler and looks like it is pretty rare! Looking forward to more individuals to chime in on the topic. I wonder if GIJive have seen these before?

[KR09]

Same one here came in my 1928AC AOC 110XXX range matte finish with the ring

[mgvince]

This e-bay listing has a batch of oilers. And photo shows one of the discussed caps.

 

1 Thompson Oiler .45acp 1928 1921 M1, Tommy WW2 WWII Colt Savage Auto Ordnance

[aut-ord-co]

That's the one I "acquired" recently. I asked the seller for it specifically.

[TD.]

Bill - an excellent find. Of course, those who have Bill's new book know his attention to detail. Thank you for sharing.

 

My first thought when I saw Bill's original post was this may have been a replacement cap manufactured late in the war. Or perhaps a replacement cap manufactured after World War II for our overseas allies that continued to use the Thompson gun many years after the wars end. It is easy to theorize how oiler caps could easily be damaged or lost thus making the oiler pretty much useless for want of only a small inexpensive part. If I am correct, the specifications for the cap most likely called for some type of stippling or permanent finish to make the cap easier to grasp and twist on and off. A new contractor could have found a cheaper way to meet this requirement. This is all just speculation on my part. All thoughts are welcome!

[ron_brock]

It is a great observation and with a number of finds I am less likely to think of a replacement. As mentioned it could be a cost reduction or still coincidence, however it is great to document as we will all be looking at oil caps now! Edited July 22, 2015 by ron_brock