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Thompson Nickel Bolt


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Anyone ever heard of a Thompson nickel bolt with an R stamped on back?

I know of S stamped, but have not seen or heard of an R stamped.

Guy claims he was told it was a Replacement Colt Bolt. Seems odd since the other parts are S stamped such as the actuator and blish lock.

michael

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What I figured not Colt, I must run from it as fast as possible!!!

I have only seen/heard of a S stamped nickel bolt, so this is different enough to warrant a collectors interest.

thanks

michael

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I got one of those "R" marked dull nickel bolts in the 1928a1 kit i bought from R-Guns. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif

 

Is there anything rare or special about these? http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/huh.gif

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Nothing special, just. I have seen so many collections of various TSMG stuff it would not surprise me to see someone collect all the different bolts made by different manufacturers.

 

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QUOTE (PK. @ Dec 11 2006, 11:04 PM)
They are not nickel, they are steel.

I can't believe how this myth endures.

PK , do you mean they are 'in the white" bare metal with no finish at all? http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/sad.gif

 

Mine has no rust on it , this is why i thought it was nickel. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

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PK

Yes they are steel but I have never seen them referred to as anything else.

If something else becomes the standard description for these parts, I would be happy to use that.

michael

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1921: Yes, they are “in the white”.

 

Sig: It’s a pet peeve of mine, I wasn’t taking a personal shot at you. The term “nickel” has been widely used as you note, but to the degradation of truth in my opinion. Many really believe these parts were made of nickel or were nickel plated. We both know they were not, and I refuse to perpetrate the myth. The term “bright” is being used much more frequently regarding these parts and is certainly a better descriptive of their actual nature. I hope it completely eliminates the reference to nickel in the future.

 

Call me petty if you will.

 

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I've seen so many period photos of GI's in combat with "bright" bolts that I still wonder if they were not coated with something. I know how hard it is to keep a barrel bright like the Brits did during the Rev. War (re-enactor for 20 yrs) with usage and exposure making the surface of the barrel dull and grey.... I don't see how the GI's could have kept them so shiney in a combat stuation.
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PK

Not petty at all

 

OK you got me

 

Say it 3 times Michael

Bright bolt

Bright bolt

Bright bolt

 

Won't forget it now

 

michael

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Hawkeye, keep in mind that the part you see is in constant abrasive contact with the receiver when fired, continually cleaning itself of any surface corrosion that would seriously dull it.
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QUOTE (PK. @ Dec 12 2006, 10:46 PM)
Hawkeye, keep in mind that the part you see is in constant abrasive contact with the receiver when fired, continually cleaning itself of any surface corrosion that would seriously dull it.

Yes PK .. I thought of that but the entire surface of the bolt is not in contact with the inside of the receiver. I'm not saying you are wrong or that it is nickel or that it is coated. I'll go along with Phil on second thought in that my Sten bolt is bright metal and shows little sign of corrosion since he brought it to my attention.

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Nickel is an alloy Silvery white resistance to chemical and atmospheric corrosion, added to the steel in varying amounts, some 1912 Winchesters were made of a high percentage of nickel contain and the bluing just didn’t hold up. I’m sure some Thompson’s bolts had a high percentage of nickel so no finish was required. This was not a nickel plating process. Edited by warguns
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Warguns, how would one know if a Model 12 Winchester was of the higher nickle content? My father still has his father's Model 12 and it has been a dark gray since he got it in the early 60's.

 

Oh, and my 28 has the bright bolt-shinier than any nickel I've ever earned.

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Well since were on this subject. Is the blued bolts are they the "bright" bolts, just blued? How about the firing pins? Same senairo whith them as well?

 

If thats the case perhaps just removal of the blueing will result in a "bright bolt/pin".

 

Thanks all-adlake

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adlake

At the last All Thompson Show and Shoot I did see a Thompson bolt that was originally blue (carbonia) and had this removed to reveal a "bright bolt".

 

see I can say bbbb bright bolt!

 

I believe the correct term for the finish is carbonia.

 

Carbonia

 

michael

 

 

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I can comment on Paul's work. Yes it is R.G.S. Restorations, Paul owns it I believe.

Personal experience and that of another TSMG collector.

I had a drum refinished, the C drum in question had NO finish so of little concern regarding value impact.

The work on the drum was excellent and expensive, but took a very long time, so patience is required.

Drum looks as nice as it runs and is my shooter drum until a Kahr (gasp) drum becomes available that works.

 

The other collector sent in a Colt Navy pistol, again the same issues as mine.

 

So I am glad you found the website informative. I believe R.G.S. to be at the top of the game on firearm restoration, just be prepared to pay for that quality work and also do not be in a rush if you do.

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