Tommy Gun

I know there are different Caliber Thompson Sub-Machine Guns. I don't know which this is as I'm no expert. I don't even know if this is a Original one after WW1, but this is a Nice one. Since the Case is for a Violin or a Small Guitar all I can think of this as being a Chicago Typewriter. Very Nice one at that. My eyes can't focus on the writing, would anyone know what a Original one would go for. The last time I seen a original one was in Houston, TX at a International Gun Show in the very late 80's or very early 90's and it had a price tag of $10,500. I do remember that as I looked at it for quite awhile. Only If....

I would say in my opinion, this is a made up item. Gangsters obviously modified violin cases for Thompsons, but they wouldn't go to all the trouble of having various little compartments. To accept all the different bits & Bobs!
I mean the front grip is held on with a screw. WHY would they take both grips along on a job in the same case? They wouldn't have time waiting 'on a job'. To unscrew the horizontal front grip screw, & remove the grip. Then locate the long screw for the vertical grip & then fit that.
The whole purpose of the case, was to disguise & carry the weapon to it's deployment location. Then quickly whip it out & (Generally) fit the 50 round mag & use the Gun.

From reports I have read from official sources, on Gangsters of that era. A VAST amount of them could NOT shoot accurately with handguns!
Also, quite a lot of them were not the brightest of individuals either!....They didn't have the nouse in a lot of cases, to think too deeply. About the technical aspects of their chosen 'Profession'!...The 'act first, without thinking it all through' scenario. Was quite common.

This is one of the major reasons the Thompson was the weapon of choice, for gangsters. Not being good shots, the 'spraying' technique of full-auto Guns.
Was a better option for them then! The Police only took them on strength as well, so as to be on a 'level playing field' so to speak. It evened things up for them.

I believe SOME cases were modified officially. But this was more for novelty value, than tactical. Auto-Ordanance did indeed make purpose designed transit cases for Thompsons. But there were recqtangular in shape, with a folding handle on the hinging lid.

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Originally Posted by tankhunter

I would say in my opinion, this is a made up item. Gangsters obviously modified violin cases for Thompsons, but they wouldn't go to all the trouble of having various little compartments. To accept all the different bits & Bobs!
I mean the front grip is held on with a screw. WHY would they take both grips along on a job in the same case? They wouldn't have time waiting 'on a job'. To unscrew the horizontal front grip screw, & remove the grip. Then locate the long screw for the vertical grip & then fit that.
The whole purpose of the case, was to disguise & carry the weapon to it's deployment location. Then quickly whip it out & (Generally) fit the 50 round mag & use the Gun.

From reports I have read from official sources, on Gangsters of that era. A VAST amount of them could NOT shoot accurately with handguns!
Also, quite a lot of them were not the brightest of individuals either!....They didn't have the nouse in a lot of cases, to think too deeply. About the technical aspects of their chosen 'Profession'!...The 'act first, without thinking it all through' scenario. Was quite common.

This is one of the major reasons the Thompson was the weapon of choice, for gangsters. Not being good shots, the 'spraying' technique of full-auto Guns.
Was a better option for them then! The Police only took them on strength as well, so as to be on a 'level playing field' so to speak. It evened things up for them.

I believe SOME cases were modified officially. But this was more for novelty value, than tactical. Auto-Ordanance did indeed make purpose designed transit cases for Thompsons. But there were recqtangular in shape, with a folding handle on the hinging lid.

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Clearly made up as you say Mike, it appears to be a late 1930's / early WW2 model and the pistol grip looks to be repro, but a bit of fun non the less ... for those that can afford such things! Not only do you get a 1928A1 with both forends, plus a drum magazine ... but you also get a camouflaged Viola case, potentially a very useful item for any string quartet under fire..

There was a limited market for the Colt 100 round drums which were used in many gangland shootings. The police had them too but not often seen in old photos. The US
Marines had them in the early 1920's to guard the trains but most were supposed to be returnedAttachment 76840Attachment 76841Attachment 76842

A while ago the wife and I stopped into H&H Music for a saxophone case. The salesman asked what kind of saxophone the case was for. She who must be obeyed said it wasn’t for a saxophone, “it’s for a machine gun.” The salesman didn’t bat an eye. “Hard or soft case?” he replied.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Sterling-1.jpg

It also has shoulder straps so you can carry it like a backpack.

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Originally Posted by imntxs564

My eyes can't focus on the writing, would anyone know what a Original one would go for.

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Subgun prices as of July 2016 click on “US TSMG M1 & M1A1” for Thompson prices.

I wouldn't recommend making a similar request to a sales person in a U.K. music shop, Vincent. You may find that you end up with something other than saxophone case if you say it's for a machine gun.

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Originally Posted by Vincent

It also has shoulder straps

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Hey...that's not a Thompson...!

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Originally Posted by imntxs564

I don't know which this is

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You can see the marking of 1928A1 Frank...yes, it's a made up. The Cutts is late and has the logo on the side. Also, you couldn't close the case with all that junk floating around in there...look at it...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

You can see the marking of 1928A1 Frank...yes, it's a made up. The Cutts is late and has the logo on the side. Also, you couldn't close the case with all that junk floating around in there...look at it...

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Jim, I was hoping you would see this. I saw that and figured it was a display case. I was making the remark "Chicago Typewriter" because it was in a case. I've only held one time. I couldn't make out the writing, but knew you would by just looking at it. Thanks for the info.

There's also a crosspin under the barrel shank through the receiver at that point. Makes one think it's a .22 version... It probably runs like a champ though. Also the Semi/FA selector is a stub there...over the magazine catch. Only the safety lever...

Nice sterling case. Can pack lots of magazines