WTB: British magazines

[jake]

I’d like to buy British magazines with the nickel filled counter holes

[rpbcps]

Jake,

If you are based in the USA, I believe APEX gun parts have some.

Richard

[jake]

They had one….with no internals 

[rpbcps]

You can find them in Europe, but you have the issue with import restrictions into the USA, unfortunately ?

[BillyDixon]

are you talking about thompson 20 rd mags that the british used solder to fill the holes to keep dirt out during WW2,  just askin

[jake]

Yes….those are what I am looking for 

[APEXgunparts]

10 hours ago, rpbcps said:

Jake,

If you are based in the USA, I believe APEX gun parts have some.

Richard

 

Thank you for the mention!

APEX Gun Parts has a quantity of both 20rd and 30rd magazine bodies that were modified by the British by filling in the witness holes with solder.
I do not know if the original importer obtained just the magazine bodies, or used those internal parts to complete some that were not modified.
Anyways, we have them as well as other selections that are complete.

Thompson parts category

Richard

[RG in PA]

Hi jake I have a few with different maker marks, let me know if you still need any.

Richard

[Colt Chopper]

Not mine, nor do I know the seller.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1107738055

 

[Planejack]

I’d love to find one of them in that British Brownish Green color!  Hey, even if it’s a repop.

[Colt Chopper]

Found a couple in my gun show stuff. They are patent date pm me if you're  interested.

Edited July 29, 2025 by Colt Chopper

[rpbcps]

Colt Choppers' soldered patent date mags are in great condition for their age.

Most soldered mags I have seen are well used and abused, due to the fact they were produced for use in the Western Desert Campaign. They saw some terrible conditions through Egypt into Libya and Tunisia; Some would have then seen action in Sicily and Italy, and others would have seen action in Greece and the Balkans. Some of the soldered XX magazines in my collection came from Greece.

Grab them while you can ?

[Rabbit57]

I did pick one of the 30 round magazine bodies from Apex, Richard is right, they have seen some use. But to me, they just reek of history, and I am happy to add this one to my collection. I would not mind picking up a 20 rounder next! 

Mark E

[jake]

One of the soldered magazines I’ve purchased 

[jake]

I’m still looking for these nickel filled magazines

[APEXgunparts]

On 7/30/2025 at 5:50 PM, Rabbit57 said:

I did pick one of the 30 round magazine bodies from Apex, Richard is right, they have seen some use. But to me, they just reek of history, and I am happy to add this one to my collection. I would not mind picking up a 20 rounder next! 

Mark E

 

I noted that one of the 30 rd British modded magazine bodies had sold, and wondered if it had gone to a member here.
I wish I still had the parts to complete them.

Richard

[TD.]

Jake,

What are nickel filled magazines?

[rpbcps]

On 8/27/2025 at 3:43 PM, TD. said:

Jake,

What are nickel filled magazines?

Tom,

I believe Jake is referring to the British/Commonwealth soldered magazines.

[jake]

For some reason I thought the material used to fill these magazines was nickel

[TSMG28]

Jake,

Nickel was a very valuable metal during the war, so was restricted to specific authorized uses.  These mag holes were soldered. 

[jake]

I finally collected enough soldered magazines to fill a British Ammo can with them

[TSMG28]

Jake,

Congratulations!  It makes a nice historical display. 

[rpbcps]

6 hours ago, jake said:

I finally collected enough soldered magazines to fill a British Ammo can with them

Excellent, it is good to see you found all the magazines you needed to complete your magazine box?? 

What are the manufacturers details stamped into your box out of curiosity?

 

[TD.]

Jake,

Very nice!

You need to become a member of the Thompson Collector's Association (TCA) and attend the Show & Shoot in May 2026. You have the start of a great display.