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  1. #1
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    Thompson SMG Tools/Acessories

    Is any-one able to please posts some pictures of Thompson tools/accessories the kind of things that went into the Transit chest? I am especially interested in seeing what "official" Thomson screw drivers look like, please.
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Peter Laidler's Avatar
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    You need to get yourself a little paperback booklet titled 'Great Britainicon - and the Tommy Gun story' by Tom Davies. Too many pictures but VERY interesting.

    I doubt very much that any of these special tools, if any, especially bench tools were ever issued down to Armourers on the shop floor at any level simply because the only special tool that they would need is the breeching up clamps for the body and barrel. Even then the bench vice and lead clamps would grip the body. While UNbreeching is usually a brutal process simply because by definition, it's only being unbreeched to replace the barrel - which again by default, is defective! Yep, done it a few times....... I seem to recall that the only Armourers gauges were the FPP. Even the oil bottle and pullthroughs were standard UK Army issue but the specially shaped chamber brush was issued

    The remainder of the tools such as punches and screwdrivers are in the Armourers basic tool kit

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    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    Just ordered the book, thanks.

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    The Thompson was among the very hardest guns I ever unbreeched. Broke one vise doing it, I just went and bought a bigger one...
    Regards, Jim

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    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    Am I correct in thinking that the M1icon Thompson doesn't have the quick release Butt and it is screwed directly to the body? Some of the screwdrivers currently being sold by U.K. dealers as Thompson screw drivers appear to be dimensionally identical to the screwdrivers in some Mosin Nagent tool kits which have appeared on the collectors market in recent years. The only difference being some additional slots on the side of the Nagent screwdriver. I wondered if the Russians copied the Thompson screwdriver design for the Mosin Nagent rifle???

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    This book doesn't even mention screwdrivers! I mean......., screwdrivers is screwdrivers the whole world over.

    You're right about the unbreeching of the Thompson BAR. That's why I mentioned the brutal bit. We made a set of slotted (for the grip mount bar) barrel clamps and it still didn't break away. Cut the grip rail off (we had a few new lend lease spare parts) and got REALLY brutal......., as only a REME recovery mechanic and a blacksmith can..... A loud bang and off it came.

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Peter Laidlericon View Post
    A loud bang and off it came.
    Exactly, and mine had been breeched up in about 1939. It was a vet bring back from Italyicon...
    Regards, Jim

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    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    The thing is that I'm currently making a replica Thompson Chest as close to the original as possible and I have completed most of the woodwork with the lid the main part left to do. There is a lidded compartment to the rear right, presumably to hold tools/spares and I would like to ascertain the correct accoutrements to go in it. I have obtained some items such as a cleaning rod, oil can and I believe a bore gauge. The one item which was doubtful was the screw driver for the reasons already mentioned although there are a number of dealers selling it as being pacific to Thompson. (It is a punched steel screw driver.) Is any-one able to confirm the items in addition to the gun that should go in the chest, please?

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    The Thompson book arrived yesterday and very interesting it is too. There doesn't appear to be any mention of the transit chest in it from what I can see but it is well worth the £20 it cost me from Amazon. I notice on the back cover there is reference to a Thompson bayonet but apparently no images of it in the book. I wasn't aware that a bayonet was ever produced for the Thompson; does any-one own an example or knows of one in a museum, please?

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    From what I've seen, it was a bayonet fixture on the model of (1924?) and it had a longer barrel, longer cartridge and bipod. Also, the bayonet looked to me like a Springfield item...maybe Kragicon... Test patterns only...
    Regards, Jim

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