Thompson SMG mags and pouch value

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I've had this pouch and mags for several years and they appear to be unissued condition.
I'm thinking about trying to sell the set but I don't know what they're worth. I've been checking on GB but haven't found anything to get an idea.

Is there anyone here knowledgeable of these who could let me know approximately what this set is worth based on these photos?

Thanks,
~ Harlan

Information

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[RCS]

Look inside the back flap for a makers name and date. Are all the 20 rd magazines made by Seymour ? some magazines are wanted by collectors, early magazines that have the patent date can be worth alot

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I appreciate the reply RCS

I just checked very carefully and I can't see a maker mark/date or remnants of one anyplace. The gentleman I bought this from had about three more that also looked new old stock with only a little dirt from handling and I don't think any of them had markings.
It doesn't appear to be worn off either, as the material doesn't have much wear at all and the color hasn't faded or been washed out.

I put the pouch next to a 1943 marked canteen cover and belt and the color is close to them.
(For the discerning, color coordinated trooper)

It looks as if it's the OD #3 color most often associated with a lot of earlier web gear.
('khaki' to me)


I also checked all the mags and unfortunately they're all identical Seymour mags with no date. They may be common.


I'm just a little curious now how Thompson mags and pouches are marked etc. I never gave this much thought before. I did some searching before I posted here but I didn't find much.
Most all US web gear I'm familiar with has some kind of manufacture marking if it hasn't worn off. I know very little about Thompson's though, other than what I've read -
(Wish I could afford a real one!)

I bought one with a repro solid receiver just to have a representative when I came across one for a good price.
(A fellow who had a table near me had one at a few shows and he wouldn't budge from his asking price, but I caught him as he was packing things up one Sunday after the show closed and I guess he wanted the cash so he accepted the price I had been offering)



My son was doing living history displays at our air shows and he 'thought' he wanted to start carrying the Thompson because it looked cool so I bought a vintage sling and the mag pouch when I came across it, but he only carried the darn thing at one show and went back to his carbine because these things are heavy!
(Even with an empty mag and aluminum receiver)

I can't imagine lugging one around all day with a fully loaded drum magazine - They must weigh a ton!

Now my Thompson is just another 'man cave' display and I don't really need the pouch and mags.


I just thought I might sell the set to someone who could actually use the new mags, but Thompson mags may not bring the price of something like 30 rd carbine mags because there isn't much of a supply and demand for them.

Thanks again for the reply,
~ Harlan

[RCS]

Many of the unmarked 5 cell XX magazine pouches originated as accessories included with the Russian Lend Lease during WW2.

[Sarge]

To the best of my knowlege all the stuff shipped to the russians was identical to what was issued to the US troops. The tanks and armored cars for example, all had the US and white star on them. The ruskies just painted over them so you could still see both markings.
That pouch looks like an after market/current made item. The snaps are totaly unmarked which would not have been the case on issue items.
If I'm right that makes the pouch worth $10-15 max. The common wartime Seytmour mags should bring $20/25 ea.
Sarge

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Hi Sarge13,

You may be correct but I believe if you saw it in person you'd be able to tell a difference. I've dealt with a lot of original web gear and a reproduction gear. The snaps are identical to most of the WWII ear web gear I have and most of them are not marked other than the dimple. All of the snaps on the repro gear I've handled are completely different in in construction. Not even using the other methods of the age, the material is exactly the same as the all of the mag pouches I have from WWII to Korean war vintage (which is different than all of the reproduction gear I've seen and handled, which are many)

I asked the question because I don't know any particulars about vintage Thompson mags and pouches. I've found a little more info and from what I've now read there were supposed to be a lot from Russia that have been returned in recent years that were not marked at all. Some think they were manufactured in England using US material and hardware, but it's just conjecture. I doubt they have much collector value being such anyway.

If the mags are even worth $20 each then it's worth about twice what I paid for the set. I already put it back in one of the boxes with all my other web gear and stored it away. Not a bid deal at all.

Thanks,
~ Harlan

[LimeyCarbineLover]

Harlan...some TSMG pouches were marked INSIDE the tunnel loops.......but the lack of a US stencil on the piece almost certainly garuntees it as Russki Lend Lease..and they were US made not made "over here"

and verdigris on the male LTD studs...you cant "fake" that....on a new made item....

Regards

Lloyd

---------- Post added at 11:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 PM ----------

PS Gotta Love Thompsons.....

[LimeyCarbineLover]

Now i can host pictures thanks guys......see gotta love those thompsons.......



Taken in December last year between Bucholz and Losheimergraben Crossroads...where the 394th Inf Regt of the 99th Div checked the advance of Kampgruppe Peiper during the Battle Of the Bulge.

Regards

Lloyd

[artu44]

No doubt: Sovietic lend lease. You was lucky that some unscrupoluos seller didn't stamp a big US on the back as he did with mine. All pistol holsters, belts and tommygun pouches you see in mint unusued conditions (as well SMGs and M1911A1) are former sovietic stuff. A trivia tells that unmarked 20rds ammo pouches were made just for lend lease purpose (indeed it's very rare to see one of them carried by a GI) while other items were diverted directly from the Army depots.

[LimeyCarbineLover]

. You was lucky that some unscrupoluos seller didn't stamp a big US on the back as he did with mine..

....aint that the truth Artu...you want to see some of the abominations that are being sold as US GI here in the UK.....:-(

Regards

Lloyd

PS and good point most pictures you see of the 5 x 20rd pouch are being used by Marines in the pacific and the FSSF in Italy rather than the regular ETO GI.......has anyone got any pictures of these being used by ETO Gis ????