The Tommy Gun Story Display

[Stampcollector]

4 hours ago, rpbcps said:

Last weekends 'Great Britain The Tommy Gun Story' display went well, displaying the evolution of the Thompson from the 1921 through to the M1A1. On the way highlighting both British armourers modifications and the wartime time and cost cutting measures on the 1928A1s.

Weekend went well with a lot of interest and was enjoyable.

Today I've been catching up on things, including cleaning and oiling of the Thompson guns after their weekend on display. My daughter took a photo of my wife and me.

England 2025....that reminds me of a war time photo....

England 1940...?

Five down, three to go. To think when I was serving, weapons cleaning was a chore, now it is therapeutic.?

rpbcps- Loving the display and the pics of you and the wife, just like the 1940 pic! Glad the show went well. Great job!

    "Keeping the Thompson history alive"  

[rpbcps]

12 hours ago, Stampcollector said:

rpbcps- Loving the display and the pics of you and the wife, just like the 1940 pic! Glad the show went well. Great job!

    "Keeping the Thompson history alive"  

My daughter and her boyfriend visited the display on Sunday, and the WW2 homeguard photo was one I laminated for the display. When she saw my wife and I in the garden shed, Elaine doing her dress making, and me oiling the TSMG, my daughter said the scenario reminded her of that photo. I hope I don't look as old as that HG Sgt.!!

Few more pictures below of the display, first day just after setting everything up, prior to the museum opening and the visitors arriving. 

This time around I was better prepared, with the weapon / magazine display stands I run off from left over wood, I had lying around the garage, and the two drums with perspex covers to demonstrate the filling, ( and weight) of the drums. I also had a go highlighting the weapon and magazine markings. To complete the display and to tell the story, I added some laminated photos and copies of patents etc.

As well as the 'TATA' logo, with Tracies permission, we also had on display a copy of Tom Davis's book 'Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story', which Tom was kind enough to donate for the display, together with a copy of his reproduction of the Fort Knox manual; and the 'V' marked 30 rnd Seymour mag I was able to add to my collection earlier this year, thanks to a couple of members on the forum. ?

Toms book, 'Great Britian - The Tommy gun story', was donated to the museum library on the Sunday, at the end of the display.

My efforts were well worth it as a lot of museum visitors were very interested in the display, indeed some having seen the museum adverts for the display had travelled just to see it. 

My thanks go to all the forum members who have helped me put this display together, you know who you are, and without your help the display would not have been as complete.

[John Dillinger]

Once again Richard a superb effort in keeping the Thompson history alive in good old Blighty I can just imagine curious little kids having such fun getting there hands on a Tommy Gun ?

UKs Mr Thompson Sir !

JD

[Planejack]

GREAT display!

[Dpedersen]

Awesome display! Very well done!

[Rabbit57]

Richard, you are the kind of member who keeps history alive. That is an excellent display, I am hoping you sparked an interest in more than a few kids!

Mark E

[rpbcps]

2 hours ago, Rabbit57 said:

Richard, you are the kind of member who keeps history alive. That is an excellent display, I am hoping you sparked an interest in more than a few kids!

Mark E

Mark, JD, Planejack and Devin,

Thank you all for your kind words

Mark/ JD, the display certainly sparked an interest in this lad, and he certainly did more than just get his hands on a Thompson. After being shown once how to strip and assemble a 1928A1, and talked though doing it a 2nd time, he became quite proficient at stripping and assembling the Thompson on the Saturday. So much so, he came back on Sunday with his friends, to teach them how to do it.?

He also proved the usefulness of the recoil spring tool. He struggled with replacing the spring, until I showed him how to use the recoil spring tool and he had no trouble replacing the spring after that.

Edited July 23, 2025 by rpbcps
Typo.

[rpbcps]

A member on this forum asked if I had recorded the talk I gave to the visitors at the battery display.

That was something I had not thought of. So I mentioned it to my wife, who took the photos over the two days of the display.

She replied there was not enough memory on her phone to record / video me, once I started to talk about Thompsons and the Thompson history...I never stop, she said ?

[TD.]

Richard,

Your display is simply wonderful. The time and attention you put into this event is commendable. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about the Thompson gun to your countrymen. And to think the Army brass first thought of General Thompson's "trench broom" as a gangster gun and wanted nothing to do with it. Well, they were right about the gangsters but found out quickly in late 1939 they needed it.  

Again, +1

[rpbcps]

45 minutes ago, TD. said:

Richard,

Your display is simply wonderful. The time and attention you put into this event is commendable. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about the Thompson gun to your countrymen. And to think the Army brass first thought of General Thompson's "trench broom" as a gangster gun and wanted nothing to do with it. Well, they were right about the gangsters but found out quickly in late 1939 they needed it.  

Again, +1

Tom,

Thankyou for your support throughout the preparation for the display with ideas, and donations of the two books for the display/ Battery Museum. ??

Throughout my life I have been a firm believer of, if it is worth doing, it is worth doing right.

Yes, reference  to gangster gun, when you have your back against the wall, your opinions change. ?

[rpbcps]

The curator of the Blyth Battery Museum has asked me, if I can present another 'Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story' display, when they open again in March. So I am looking forward to that.

The volunteers at the Battery were awarded 'The King’s Award for Voluntary Service' in 2025   https://blythbattery.org.uk/

[John Dillinger]

18 hours ago, rpbcps said:

The curator of the Blyth Battery Museum has asked me, if I can present another 'Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story' display, when they open again in March. So I am looking forward to that.

The volunteers at the Battery were awarded 'The King’s Award for Voluntary Service' in 2025   https://blythbattery.org.uk/

Hi Richard. Your display is something to behold. It’s the epitome of your passion for anything Thompson. I’d really like to join you at Blyth in March if you’ll have me. If so I thought we could expand the American theme a little if you’re up for it and bring along my M3A1 ,30 Cal and a couple of ‘pineapples’. Let me know if you’re up for that.

Cheers

JD

[rpbcps]

8 minutes ago, John Dillinger said:

Hi Richard. Your display is something to behold. It’s the epitome of your passion for anything Thompson. I’d really like to join you at Blyth in March if you’ll have me. If so I thought we could expand the American theme a little if you’re up for it and bring along my M3A1 ,30 Cal and a couple of ‘pineapples’. Let me know if you’re up for that.

Cheers

JD

JD,

That would be great 🫡 It will be over 2 days, Saturday and Sunday. You'll love it, the museum itself is worth a visit. Send me a PM and we can make a plan... Thanks.

[John Dillinger]

9 minutes ago, rpbcps said:

JD,

That would be great 🫡 It will be over 2 days, Saturday and Sunday. You'll love it, the museum itself is worth a visit. Send me a PM and we can make a plan... Thanks.

Excellent 👌.Will do look forward to it Richard👍

[rpbcps]

Last month, the Blyth Battery Museum, confirmed they would like me to provide another 'Great Britain- The Tommy Gun Story' display.

Today, the display has been announced on their website, so it is officially confirmed.

https://blythbattery.org.uk/

My fellow Thompson enthusiasts, Paul, (aka John Dillinger), is joining me for this display weekend. So I am looking forward to that. 

[rpbcps]

On 7/22/2025 at 10:47 PM, Stampcollector said:

rpbcps- Loving the display and the pics of you and the wife, just like the 1940 pic! Glad the show went well. Great job!

    "Keeping the Thompson history alive"  

Stampcollector, I have used the picture of the 'Home Guard at the kitchen table', for this months display announcement poster.

Perhaps I'll use the picture of my wife and myself for the next display 😉

[Stampcollector]

rpbcps, I understand why the Blyth Battery Museum would want your display again! The number of Thompsons and accessories is impressive! And you're there to explain the history to the visitors, no doubt it goes over well. Hats off to you sir for the effort you put into it! I would love to be there to witness it! 

I think the picture of you and the wife would work just fine 👍

Stampcollector

 

[John Dillinger]

Richard looking forward to attending Blyth and adding to the display . Be nice to show off my kit in the flesh for a change 👌

[rpbcps]

2 hours ago, Stampcollector said:

rpbcps, I understand why the Blyth Battery Museum would want your display again! The number of Thompsons and accessories is impressive! And you're there to explain the history to the visitors, no doubt it goes over well. Hats off to you sir for the effort you put into it! I would love to be there to witness it! 

I think the picture of you and the wife would work just fine 👍

Stampcollector

 

Thankyou for those kind words, we'll wait and see about the photo 🫡

36 minutes ago, John Dillinger said:

Richard looking forward to attending Blyth and adding to the display . Be nice to show off my kit in the flesh for a change 👌

You'll love it.

That is what I like, gives the opportunity to share my collection and tell the story, to those interested enough to listen to me. 🫣

[wv1928]

WOW !  THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND A GREAT DISPLY.   YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOUR COLLECTION.  THANK YOU AGAIN.

[rpbcps]

3 hours ago, wv1928 said:

WOW !  THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND A GREAT DISPLY.   YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOUR COLLECTION.  THANK YOU AGAIN.

Thankyou for your kind words.

It has been 31 years since I bought my first deactivated Thompson Model of 1928 which came with a well used Patent date XX magazine.  Back then, I had very little knowledge of Thompsons and thought all I need is a 30 rnd & a drum magazine to complete my collection. Little did I know, I was going down a rabbit hole.

Indeed a few years ago, I began collecting Thompson paperwork, something more difficult to display. A small part of that collection is discussed in this topic.

 

[John Dillinger]

So we had a fabulous day at Blyth Battery Museum with Richard sharing his encyclopaedic Thompson knowledge with so many folk who paid the museum a visit and got to handle and operate our classic weapons.The kids in particular were so captivated by being able to cock & dry fire a Thompson and the BAR (under strict supervision and assistance) it was a treat to behold and yes it was sooo heavy!
Richards talks taking us from his 3 digit serial number 1921 right through to his 1928A1 and so many variations in between showing design changes along numerous transport cases,mag and drum variants,webbing types and so many other items of interest was so engrossing to so many interested folk. Along with the BAR I brought my 30 Cal and M3A1 to add a little more to the story.
The re enactment fellas set the scene nicely parked up outside the museum and drew in the crowds.

I just wanted to say well done Richard for all your hard work I love your passion and knowledge.Absolute top job my friend 👌

 

 

[TD.]

+1 to John and Richard! Thank you for sharing details of the event along with pictures. Yes, the Thompson community is alive and well all around the world. General Thompson would be pleased. 

[John Dillinger]

2 hours ago, TD. said:

+1 to John and Richard! Thank you for sharing details of the event along with pictures. Yes, the Thompson community is alive and well all around the world. General Thompson would be pleased. 

Thanks TD it was great to show off the kit and get so much engagement. Not every day you get to hold a Thompson and a BAR in good old Blighty 😊

[rpbcps]

17 hours ago, John Dillinger said:

So we had a fabulous day at Blyth Battery Museum with Richard sharing his encyclopaedic Thompson knowledge with so many folk who paid the museum a visit and got to handle and operate our classic weapons.The kids in particular were so captivated by being able to cock & dry fire a Thompson and the BAR (under strict supervision and assistance) it was a treat to behold and yes it was sooo heavy!
Richards talks taking us from his 3 digit serial number 1921 right through to his 1928A1 and so many variations in between showing design changes along numerous transport cases,mag and drum variants,webbing types and so many other items of interest was so engrossing to so many interested folk. Along with the BAR I brought my 30 Cal and M3A1 to add a little more to the story.
The re enactment fellas set the scene nicely parked up outside the museum and drew in the crowds.

I just wanted to say well done Richard for all your hard work I love your passion and knowledge.Absolute top job my friend 👌

 

 

Thank you for those kind words, I really enjoyed the weekend and your company. Loved your BAR too, that is a heavy weapon.

 

Tom,

It was good to share our knowledge with the visitors, and volunteers, at the Battery Museum. 'The Tommy Gun Story' was a popular exhibit once again.

Amazon.co.uk may get some orders for your 'Great Britain - The Tommy Gun story' book too.  It was pointed out to many visitors, as a good source on the details of the Thompson in service with the British and commonwealth forces. 

Edited March 22 by rpbcps
Typo