Jump to content

Serial number unusual markings


Recommended Posts

A new member here asked me to look at his guns and help him post pictures.   I believe he said they are form 3 (last transfer to him).  They have 3 digit serial numbers with the pictured letters behind them. Anybody seen this before.  They may have been movie industry guns.  Input would be welcome.20250519_164410.jpg20250519_164447.jpg20250519_164520.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tom Davis, these are the ones I had text you about. 

Dan, I had asked to see the other sides of the guns, but like Tom, I agree they are West Hurley guns.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is little doubt these are West Hurley Model 1928 Thompson submachine guns. All West Hurley submachine guns have a letter "A" serial number suffix. The first 199 West Hurley 1928 submachine guns also had a serial number prefix: A.O.C.  The first guns also had the "A1" nomenclature marking. The first-year production guns in 1975 were serial numbers 100A to 298A.  

I do find the "DEW" and "DEWA" markings interesting. I would like to see what is specified on the current approved ATF form.  Auto-Ordnance Corporation, West Hurley, New York would manufacture guns with special serial numbers upon request. Hopefully, that is what is happening here. It would be very problematic if a past owner just added letters (or numbers) to a registered serial number. 

Those interested in learning more about the West Hurley Thompson guns should have my fourth book, Thompson: Colt's West Hurley's & More.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, TD. said:

There is little doubt these are West Hurley Model 1928 Thompson submachine guns. All West Hurley submachine guns have a letter "A" serial number suffix. The first 199 West Hurley 1928 submachine guns also had a serial number prefix: A.O.C.  The first guns also had the "A1" nomenclature marking. The first-year production guns in 1975 were serial numbers 100A to 298A.  

I do find the "DEW" and "DEWA" markings interesting. I would like to see what is specified on the current approved ATF form.  Auto-Ordnance Corporation, West Hurley, New York would manufacture guns with special serial numbers upon request. Hopefully, that is what is happening here. It would be very problematic if a past owner just added letters (or numbers) to a registered serial number. 

Those interested in learning more about the West Hurley Thompson guns should have my fourth book, Thompson: Colt's West Hurley's & More.  

Help me understand why anyone would "blank" out the SN when asking questions about a gun? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They are west hurleys and were drilled and tapped to fire blanks.  They were recently sold by a Company in New York.  I think they purchased about 30 or so miscellaneous guns including 5 West Hurleys.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Sandman1957 said:

They are west hurleys and were drilled and tapped to fire blanks.  They were recently sold by a Company in New York.  I think they purchased about 30 or so miscellaneous guns including 5 West Hurleys.

How did  you come across this information? Very interesting... so they received special SN's?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, 68coupe said:

Just a guess, but It may not be theirs. Deerslayer, the OP, IS a gunsmith...

Karl, 68coupe

Good point, but what does it accomplish? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, johnsonlmg41 said:

No they are not special.  The suffix was added to the serial # when the guns were converted to full otto prior to May 86 by the registrant.   This is pretty common.

Not everyone wants serial number collectors collecting their info.  Yes, these people do exist and one guy sells the lists, not sure to whom, but there is a market for everything. 

Thanks. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

johnsonlmg41,

Help me understand this. I agree there is nothing special about West Hurley Thompson guns (except mine :)). However, I do not understand the conversion statement. It appears to me these guns were originally manufactured by Auto-Ordnance, West Hurley, New York in different years as Model 1928 [sub] machine guns and so registered with ATF prior to 1986. My only question is who added the suffix serial number letters. Hopefully, Auto-Ordnance, West Hurley, New York or some other plausible explanation. This is the only reason I want to see the current ATF forms. Or at least the top half of the current ATF form with the weapon description information.  

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Rekraps said:

Good point, but what does it accomplish? 

It prevents hijacking of forging any documents with serial numbers by keeping the number hidden. I'm not saying it's ever happened, but HOME theft by similar scams has definitely happened.

Just a thought, Karl

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hiding serial numbers for above reasons, and they aren't my guns.  Yes,  i agree now they are west hurley guns.  The hive mind helps you think of all things.  The back half of the receiver has the typical "M1" marking.  The front doesnt have the semi auto step so these were never converted from a 1927.  17479156907592104087767622829255.jpg17479157440797538357059462495515.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I never display the serial number to any gun on the internet.  Here's why:

1. It would add nothing to the conversation and would not benefit anyone in any way.   Writing 17,XXX is just as useful to the conversation as writing 17,812.

2. Once you have been a victim of crime, you stop feeling like you have everything figured out, and you get more cautious.  Criminals are clever, they come up with all kinds of very clever ways to rip people off.  

Of course, whenever you display any sort of caution, the guys who don't agree will act like you are a wuss.  

I run into this all the time on my job in heavy construction.  If you won't climb a 30 foot ladder made of lumber scrap, that's resting against a power line, then you are a big wussy.  Over 1,000 guys are killed on construction jobs every year in the USA, and it makes no impression on anyone in the industry at all.  

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...