Tom E Gun Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 (edited) I have been reading several threads, with great interest, recently regarding the original Thompson transit chests and various reproductions. It occurred to me that a series of modern (ie: non-reproduction) storage/display boxes might be just the thing to store a collection of Thompsons and other smg's and also allow for display of these firearms and accessories at gun shows, etc.Most of the original and repro chest i have seen so far store the Thompson in a vertical orientation, like this: http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g374/TW56/USMC%20TSMG%20Chest%20complete/IMG_8670.jpghttp://www.warrelics.eu/forum/attachments/world-firearms/320365d1331856925-british-homeguard-thompson-case-dscn2367.jpgWhile this works well for storage and transport, it is not ideal for display. I am thinking that a horizontal (flat) format would be better for displaying the gun and accessories. This MP40 transport box is more in-line with the orientation I have in mind: http://www.bergflak.com/images/mpb9.jpgI am wondering if anyone has built anything similar or has suggestions or examples to share. I have been searching the internet for ideas, but have not come up with many ideas, other than the above. In my case I would be building 5 similar boxes, for an M1, M1A1, 1928A1, MP40 and Sten + accessories for each. Thanks, in advance, for any ideas or suggestion you may have to share... Edited February 5, 2016 by Tom E Gun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph12297 Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 What I think would be great would be a repo of whatever AOC sent a single 21, 21AC or 28 Navy in when shipped from the factory. The old catalogs state that they shipped a single gun in this..."Case No. 1. Box containing 1 gun" Unless this was cardboard. I have never seen one of these cases. Hopefully someone here has more info they can share. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dudley Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 (edited) Mine Detector Case I spent a lot of time on. I still have an Engineer's equipment case (WWII) and a Winchester 101 shotgun case I cut down on the not completed project list. Edited February 4, 2016 by Uncle Dudley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoscoeTurner Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 The MP40 case in the photo is not a display case, it is an original transport box. Belongs to a friend of mine.http://www.bergflak.com/mp40box.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dudley Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 (edited) Here's the start of the above project. A couple pictures at the gun show. Edited February 4, 2016 by Uncle Dudley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dudley Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Here's my mock up shot of the cut-down Winchester 101 box. It was splitting on both ends, so I cut it down to fit the 28. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dudley Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Here's my latest. I worked off and on about 16 months on this post WWII German equipment case and converted it into an "impression" case of an SS officer's pistol case. You can see how using period hardware enhances the "look". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom E Gun Posted February 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 (edited) Thanks Uncle Dudley, you have some great cases. You have inspired me to try to find some existing cases to repurpose, rather than building from scratch.I LOVE this one:Mine Detector Case I spent a lot of time on. I still have an Engineer's equipment case (WWII) and a Winchester 101 shotgun case I cut down on the not completed project list.MGcaseMP40TSMG001.jpgMGcaseMP40TSMG002.jpgMGcaseMP40TSMG004.jpgMGcaseMP40TSMG008.jpg Edited February 5, 2016 by Tom E Gun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom E Gun Posted February 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 (edited) The MP40 case in the photo is not a display case, it is an original transport box. Belongs to a friend of mine. http://www.bergflak.com/mp40box.html Thanks Roscoe, I knew that - but I type and think at different speeds which sometimes has unintended consequences I have corrected the post. Your link also contained this picture, which is very similar to what I had in mind. Not so much a reproduction, but a very practical modern storage/transport/display box:http://www.bergflak.com/images/mpb18.jpg Edited February 5, 2016 by Tom E Gun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrylta Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Uncle,It's obvious these are a labor of love for you. I know these take a lot time, trial & errorand planning to get them to come together and function. I'm a carpenter by trade andalways enjoy your work.Thank you for posting,Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoscoeTurner Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 The MP40 case in the photo is not a display case, it is an original transport box. Belongs to a friend of mine. http://www.bergflak.com/mp40box.html Thanks Roscoe, I knew that - but I type and think at different speeds which sometimes has unintended consequences I have corrected the post. Your link also contained this picture, which is very similar to what I had in mind. Not so much a reproduction, but a very practical modern storage/transport/display box:http://www.bergflak.com/images/mpb18.jpg Looks good. The owner of the original sets up with us at the Show of Shows and Knob Creek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dudley Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 (edited) Thanks, Darryl. I'm a horrible carpenter, but a pretty fair body man and fairly competent auto painter. Yes, trial and error and planning and redesigning is very time consuming and tedious. Like Tom E Gun said, redesigning or repurposing and existing case does make for an easier start for the project. I spent a large amount of time researching while building the Nazi Pistol Case. Deciding and testing the color (Panzer Green/Gray) evolved over several weeks and I painted it 3 times to get the "matte" finish and color tone the way I wanted it. I researched Nazi Field Police Units, their history, and equipment to get some reasonable authenticity to the "impression", because I could not find any examples of this specific type of case. One little snafu I encountered, was trying to find "SS" decals that were not made by real Nazis. I finally did find a nice fellow (non national socialist) that custom made decals very reasonable and had excellent service and turnaround. He even was able to do a nice representation of the German lettering script from the WWII period. Edited February 5, 2016 by Uncle Dudley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anjong-ni Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 Really great display of the Thompson and MP40 in the same box. Quite a contrast. I believe I read it posted here some time back: "US Airborne Forces considered Germans wielding 9mm weapons to be 'un-armed' ".......Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom E Gun Posted February 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 (edited) I took some measurements today and came up with some approximate case sizes: 2 at approx 34" x 15": http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/MarxF350/Firearms/Dewat%20SMGs/IMG_6912_zpsjnwjmqt5.jpg and 3 at approx 28" x 15"; http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/MarxF350/Firearms/Dewat%20SMGs/IMG_6909_zpsvaztpe9u.jpg http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/MarxF350/Firearms/Dewat%20SMGs/IMG_6910_zpsv2pohni3.jpg http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/MarxF350/Firearms/Dewat%20SMGs/IMG_6911_zps5wsf1rms.jpg Edited February 6, 2016 by Tom E Gun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dudley Posted July 22, 2016 Report Share Posted July 22, 2016 (edited) Found another ebay case for an "repurpose" build. Nice dimentions--35.5 inches long.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-MILITARY-TRUNK-storage-foot-locker-army-coffee-table-box-chest-green-60s-/361629242568?hash=item5432c854c8 Edited July 22, 2016 by Uncle Dudley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merry Ploughboy Posted July 22, 2016 Report Share Posted July 22, 2016 The American Historical Foundation Commemorative Thompson style display case might be something to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dudley Posted July 22, 2016 Report Share Posted July 22, 2016 (edited) Mine detector case. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Good-Vintage-Signal-Corps-U-S-Army-Military-Foot-Locker-Trunk-World-War-II-/381701408515?hash=item58df2d4703 Edited July 22, 2016 by Uncle Dudley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom E Gun Posted July 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 (edited) Uncle Dudley, on 22 Jul 2016 - 09:12, said:Mine detector case. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Good-Vintage-Signal-Corps-U-S-Army-Military-Foot-Locker-Trunk-World-War-II-/381701408515?hash=item58df2d4703Thanks Uncle Dudley, that case would be the perfect size for me. I would love to do something similar to your case in post #3 for my '28 and Sten: Edited July 23, 2016 by Tom E Gun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
22plinker Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Nice project this will be interesting to watch it progress. By chance are you the same person who posts some neat 22 cal builds on rim fire central? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom E Gun Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Nice project this will be interesting to watch it progress.By chance are you the same person who posts some neat 22 cal builds on rim fire central?Well I didn't end up getting that case on eBay. I did not pay close enough attention to the closing time and missed that someone had outbid me. Too bad since it went cheap.Yes I have posted a few times on RFC, under the same screen name, mainly CZs, 10/22s and lately ARX 160-22. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
22plinker Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 Your tactical 10/22 builds are extremely well done!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dudley Posted August 1, 2016 Report Share Posted August 1, 2016 (edited) xx Edited August 1, 2016 by Uncle Dudley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dudley Posted August 1, 2016 Report Share Posted August 1, 2016 (edited) http://www.ebay.com/itm/131513796505?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Edited August 1, 2016 by Uncle Dudley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backpacker Posted August 6, 2016 Report Share Posted August 6, 2016 Would like to see one for the M1A1 with stock attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dudley Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 (edited) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Carpenter-Equipment-Set-No-1-Engineer-Squad-Trunk-Footlocker-Military-/322216498300?hash=item4b0599947c This one should be long enough to fit an M1 with stock, but I think the price is high for the condition. There is room for related magazines, accessories, pouches, belts, etc. Edited August 7, 2016 by Uncle Dudley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now