X-RD1 Posted April 25, 2017 Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 (edited) OK, I'm a new member to this site so give me a rookie pass if I mess up this posting. You may have seen this before, but attached is a photograph from the August 1941 edition of Popular Mechanics magazine with a WWII Thompson motorcycle platoon. I'll need the help of the experts here on this site . . . 1928's or 1928A1's? William BorghHouston, TX Edited April 25, 2017 by X-RD1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adg105200 Posted April 25, 2017 Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 More than likely all A1's Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted April 25, 2017 Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 I have a photo of file, from a front cover of the Popular Science. Early in Word War Two, the British often used motorcycles and Thompson guns for propaganda purposes. In my files, I have some photos from this period, all of which have been published elsewhere: In the above photo, you'll note that some of the Model of 1928's do not have compensators, the story of these is covered in the book, "Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story" by Tom Davis Jr., a book I would recommend to anyone, who has an interest in the Thompson gun. and here is a lethal combination, a Thompson and a Bren gun. Now where have I seen the following photo before? The following photo had me puzzled, I initially thought the helmets were French, but the webbing is British 37 pattern, the gas mask bag strapped on the chest is British and the sling on the Thompson is British 37 pattern too. Below is a patent for fitting a Thompson gun to a motorcycle. In my collection, I also have a few World War Two magazines which feature motorcycles and Thompsons on their covers, war time propaganda, some from the same source: The combination of Thompson guns and motorcycles, was used to good effect in British Propaganda. Stay safeRichard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1952HRA Posted April 25, 2017 Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 Like Andrew said more than likely they are armorist stamped 1928a1s (they probably started life as 1928s and after the military got them they were switched and stamped as 1928a1s) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1952HRA Posted April 25, 2017 Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 Richard I believe the picture that had you puzzled is of polish troops, that would explain the use of British gear and it would also explained the helmets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted April 25, 2017 Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 OK, I'm a new member to this site so give me a rookie pass if I mess up this posting. You may have seen this before, but attached is a photograph from the August 1941 edition of Popular Mechanics magazine with a WWII Thompson motorcycle platoon. I'll need the help of the experts here on this site . . . 1928's or 1928A1's? William BorghHouston, TXI needed to confirm something, before adding this reply. In September 1938, the US Army changed the Thompson status from Limited Procurement to Standard and was designated as the “Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, Model of 1928A1” . Following the change in status an order for 932 of the remaining Colt Thompsons was placed in June 1939. As the official designation from Sept. 1938 was Model of 1928A1, I guess these and all further purchases would have been Model of 1928A1's. Below is a photo of a 1928A1, which began life as a Model of 1921, as the 932 Thompsons ordered in June 1939 would have. Richard I believe the picture that had you puzzled is of polish troops, that would explain the use of British gear and it would also explained the helmets Thanks, I suspected they may have been Polish, as I once read the French supplied Polish forces with helmets. I'll need to look for more Polish photos now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X-RD1 Posted April 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 Thank you to everyone for all the information. The knowledge base in this forum is incredible. The additional motorcycle and Thompson photographs are great to see as they were a very unique part of the WWII war effort. In the original photograph that I posted the Thompson SMG's are missing magazines. While it was a great WWII publicity photo, that platoon wasn't going to do much in the way of wreaking havoc. Attached is the cover of the August 1941 edition of Popular Science. The Thompson SMG's were getting plenty of notoriety in the print media. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted April 27, 2017 Report Share Posted April 27, 2017 X-RD1,if you want to see more photos of US Army WLA's, some with, but many without Thompsons, check out the website below. Here is a sample: http://www.theliberator.be/liberator3.htm Enjoy the photos. Stay safeRichard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dudley Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 1941 Chicago Newspaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X-RD1 Posted April 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 Richard - An excellent web site with many fantasic photographs! I liked the one titled, "Tactical Demonstration." Uncle Dudley, I'm surprised that during the war the Chicago Tribune newspaper was printing with color photographs. That one is worth framing! Thank you again to everyone who has shared these great historical artifacts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azboater Posted April 29, 2017 Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 (edited) I would Like to add a few,Great Thread! Edited April 29, 2017 by azboater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1952HRA Posted April 29, 2017 Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 I found this picture while looking up some stuff, what is on the muzzle of the gun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azboater Posted April 29, 2017 Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 (edited) I found this picture while looking up some stuff, what is on the muzzle of the gun?Here it is again, is it possibly a Blank firing adapter? On a side note, is that Nick Cage in the Sidecar?? Edited April 29, 2017 by azboater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 and here is one, which I believe to be pre WW2. Can anyone confirm, from uniform and details on the motorcycles tank, if he is US Army or USMC? Stay safeRichard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gijive Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 1952HRA, Here is a picture of the 1921A Model Blank Adapter that is pictured in the photo you posted. It is a simple hinged device that fit around the front of the barrel, was hand-tightened and had a plug with a restrictor that fit in the front of the barrel. Seen in a few early newsreel type films of the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted May 2, 2017 Report Share Posted May 2, 2017 and here is one, which I believe to be pre WW2. USMC Motor Cycle.JPG Can anyone confirm, from uniform and details on the motorcycles tank, if he is US Army or USMC? Stay safeRichardUSMC or US Army, can anyone confirm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gijive Posted May 2, 2017 Report Share Posted May 2, 2017 and here is one, which I believe to be pre WW2. USMC Motor Cycle.JPG Can anyone confirm, from uniform and details on the motorcycles tank, if he is US Army or USMC? Stay safeRichardUSMC or US Army, can anyone confirm?Richard, The USA on the gas tank would stand for U.S. Army, as opposed to United State's of America. So I feel pretty confident that is an Army motorcycle and rider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted May 2, 2017 Report Share Posted May 2, 2017 GI Jive,Thanks for confirmation, I suspected that was the case, reference to tank in my original post on subject, but the head gear threw me off, I thought that was typical U S Marine Corps. Stay safeRichard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Stumbled up this photo of a Gordon Highlander with on his Norton, for using his Model of 1928, (without compensator), does not look very practical. Stay safe Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petroleum 1 Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Looks like he needs 3 hands ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bug Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Stumbled up this photo of a Gordon Highlander with on his Norton, for using his Model of 1928, (without compensator), does not look very practical. Gordons Highlanders.JPG Stay safe Richard Interesting gun. Any idea when it was taken? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 Looks like he needs 3 hands ;-)Indeed, but beats the roller skate idea, that was already posted on the forum... but here it is again.. stay safe Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) Stumbled up this photo of a Gordon Highlander with on his Norton, for using his Model of 1928, (without compensator), does not look very practical. Gordons Highlanders.JPG Stay safe Richard Interesting gun. Any idea when it was taken? Tom Davis Jr. provides details on the Model of 1928s ordered without compensators by the British in his book, Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story. http://www.machinegu...showtopic=17273It was at the end of 1940 that, to cut costs, the British ordered Thompsons without compensators, but how many were actually delivered without compensators, before AOC agreed the price with or without compensators was the same is unknown. With time for delivery etc. you are looking probably looking at the photo being taken anytime during or after 1941. Stay safeRichard Edited February 20, 2018 by rpbcps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petroleum 1 Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Looks like he needs 3 hands ;-)Indeed, but beats the roller skate idea, that was already posted on the forum... but here it is again.. Roller Skates & Thompson.jpg stay safe RichardOmg!!! Lol!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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