I loved "COMBAT" back in the 1960s and watched every episode.
I had a toy Thompson I received as a Christmas gift and then I raided Dads footlocker in the utility room. I was the best dressed kid on the block when we fought the krauts or japs. I had a real USMC helmet and cover, pistol belt, gas mask bag, canteen and a musette bag. I always put them away before I was caught. My dad eventully caught me but did give them to me but always said to "take care of them" and "put them back where I found them". I wanted to be Sgt. Saunders when I grew up.
The time I grew up in and my dad serving in WWII and Korea and teaching me to shoot, respect firarms and to be proud to be an American were the stepping stones that influenced me to enlist and my lifelong interest in militaria and firearms.
I went thru the Garand collecting now it's M14s ( M1As) and ARs. The Holy Grail to me is a BAR or a Thompson SMG. I have shot both full auto as a club member has them and other FA weapons.
I love the Tommy gun BUT I found I liked the BAR a bit more. Too bad I'll never have the money to own either.
Vic Morrow and the others from the show that are gone............
RIP !