Thompson Transit Chest

[Flying10uk]

After taking a few measurements, and doing a few back of an envelope calculations, of the pictures of the single Thompson Chest and also of an example of one which had been for sale on e-bay I've come up with some external dimensions of the chest. These dimensions include the lid with the lid closed. Length 26.5" external, width 7" external and height 8.5" external. I have based my calculations on the assumption that the lid hinges are 2" wide at their widest point, the same as on the Bren Chest. Is any-one able to confirm or correct these dimensions, please? I would guess that a Canadian made single chest would be the same dimensions as a British made example as both would be made from the same blueprints???

[Mk VII]

They stopped procuring chests when the gun was classed as personal weapons rather than unit weapons, and the contracts were cut short.

If you contact the Royal Armouries at Leeds, and pay them to scan the drawings they still have following:-

DD(E) 2525 28 May 1940 Chest, Thompson, .45" machine carbine

DD(E) 2769 23 February 1941 Chest (Pattern A?), 50rnd magazines, Thompson .45" machine carbine (converted from Chest, Thompson, .45" machine carbine)

DD(E) 2796 14 March 1941 Chest (Pattern B?), 50rnd magazines, Thompson .45" machine carbine (converted from Chest, Thompson, .45" machine carbine)

DD(E) 2817 02 April 1941 Chest (Pattern C?), 50rnd magazines, Thompson .45" machine carbine (converted from Chest, Thompson, .45" machine carbine)

[browningautorifle]

both would be made from the same blueprints???

I should think so...after all, aren't C#7 chests and #4T chests the same size no matter which country? Should be...

[Flying10uk]

Could any-one please confirm that the 3 long holes at the rear/back of the Thompson chest are for the drum magazine and if so is it intended to hold 2 or 3 drum mags? I question the number because the left hand hole is slightly longer than the other 2 holes. Thanks for any information.

[browningautorifle]

I'll bet they're just as the picture shows...varied storage of mag pouches, drums and mags. You'd need lots of each to fit and fiddle to see what fit perfectly.