dalbert Posted January 29, 2023 Report Share Posted January 29, 2023 I'm a little late posting this, but last week, three of us made the trek to Novi, Michigan to do a display of Thompsons, all but one of which were from Tracie's collection. It's quite an effort and risk on Tracie's part to do the display, but the outpouring of thanks that we received throughout the weekend was truly outstanding, and made it all worth it. The display was extremely well received. The SVDM Thompsons were also supposed to be present, but an event at the Berrien County Sheriff's office kept them from sending them. Nevertheless, Mike Klein's niece displayed many photos from the SVDM display on Saturday, and her passion for carrying on Mike's legacy was evident. I hope you enjoy the photos below from the display. Thanks! David Albert dalbert@sturmgewehr.com 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted January 29, 2023 Report Share Posted January 29, 2023 David, Excellent display, some amazing history there. While on the subject of Model of 1919's , I thought Auto Ordnance Corporation just rented a workshop, and offices, at the Warner and Swasey Company, and that it was the AOC employees who did all the work. However a fellow Thompson enthusiast sent me the following information, only this evening, so perhaps I was wrong, it would not be the first time 😕 Quoting from Frank Iannamico in Small Arms: The Thompson Submachine Gun ID Guide, Part I: The Colt and Savage 1921-1928 Models. Quote "...The original Auto-Ordnance Corporation was simply a research and development organization, which had no manufacturing facilities. The Warner and Swasey Company of Cleveland, Ohio manufactured all of the prototype weapons for the Auto-Ordnance Corporation. After a final production model was ready, the manufacture of the weapon was subcontracted out to Colt". unquote. So I guess we would be correct in saying the 1919 series of Thompsons were manufactured by the Warner and Swasey Company. Stay Safe Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colt21a Posted January 29, 2023 Report Share Posted January 29, 2023 A five star display and history not much to say to top that...May it continue into the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gio Posted January 29, 2023 Report Share Posted January 29, 2023 Great looking display. Whenever this group set’s up a display it makes the whole Thompson community look good. Thanks for the hard work and posting the pictures. Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbc230 Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 (edited) That has to be the coolest site that these eyes have ever seen. The very first production Thompson. That is so cool. Thank you for posting the pictures. I hope to see all of those Thompson's in person one day. Edited January 30, 2023 by mbc230 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outsider Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 If you guys ever do that on the west side let me know. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taliaferro Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 The Models of 1919 were created in Cleveland as a team effort between Warner and Swasey and AO. At first W&S was supposed to make them, but in the end only helped with the metallurgy work. W&S became very busy with WWI work. AO (Eickhoff) managed to equip a very capable machine shop and had it making the prototypes. To say that this facility was a production shop is a stretch. Limited production or prototypes yes. But, never going to be or meant to be a production facility. Tracie 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 1 hour ago, Taliaferro said: The Models of 1919 were created in Cleveland as a team effort between Warner and Swasey and AO. At first W&S was supposed to make them, but in the end only helped with the metallurgy work. W&S became very busy with WWI work. AO (Eickhoff) managed to equip a very capable machine shop and had it making the prototypes. To say that this facility was a production shop is a stretch. Limited production or prototypes yes. But, never going to be or meant to be a production facility. Tracie Tracie, Appreciate your reply, and sharing your knowledge once again. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantpanda4 Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 Fantastic display! I wish I was not committed in other (warmer) parts of the country that weekend and could have attended. Hopefully TATA can continue this next year and beyond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taliaferro Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 Next year TATA is looking to make it a bigger display. So if you are interested in displaying put it on your calendar now. Can't guarantee warm weather, but maybe warm friendships??? That just sounds wrong..... Tracie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 8 minutes ago, Taliaferro said: Next year TATA is looking to make it a bigger display. So if you are interested in displaying put it on your calendar now. Can't guarantee warm weather, but maybe warm friendships??? That just sounds wrong..... Tracie 🤣😂🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M40scoutsniper Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 Awesome! Thank you for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varminter Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 I need to go to this next year. Very impressive display, thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Player_To_Be_Named Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 I wouldn't mind displaying next year. Novi is not that far for me so whoever is organizing this for next year please keep me ion mind. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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