Pre-War Thompson Gear

[jerseygary]

What kind of web equipment did the Navy and Marines use with the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun before WW2? All the pouches I've come across have 1942 or later dates. I am working on an illustration of a Naval landing part in the 1930's and want to depict a sailor with the Thompson with the drum magazine. Are the WW2 dated pouches with the shoulder strap the same ones used back then?

[robinb]

The pre-war pouches were made by Rusco and not dated.

[jerseygary]

Were they of the same design as the war year ones and when do you think they were first issued? I am guessing that they would have been available by the early 1930's?

[101CH47]

What kind of web equipment did the Navy and Marines use with the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun before WW2? All the pouches I've come across have 1942 or later dates. I am working on an illustration of a Naval landing part in the 1930's and want to depict a sailor with the Thompson with the drum magazine. Are the WW2 dated pouches with the shoulder strap the same ones used back then?

 

 

Try asking your question here, it is a Thompson board - http://www.machinegunboards.com/forums/index.php?showforum=3

[VolunteerArmoury]

I saw in a USN manual that 2 5 cell magazine pouches were to have been worn on the belt rather than the normal single one I often see. Anyone seen photos of 2 worn?

[FTrooper]

I would suggest looking at page 8 of " U.S. Marine Corps Uniforms & Equipments in World War 2" by Jim Moran. He has what appears to be two USMC Gunnery Sergeants in 1928 Nicaragua (National Archive Photo 127-N-521173) Both carry the M1921 Thompson in the Mills (or RUSCO, both companies made accessories for the Thompson, but RUSCO seems ALOT more common) carry case that holds the gun broken down with a pouch for the stock and four 20 round magazines. on their opposite hip they seem to carry the slung pouch for the 100 round drum. On the belt can be seen at least one 50 round drum pouch and what looks like a four pocket (could be five) 20 round stick pouch but it has one large "V" shaped flap that secures by a single LTD snap. I REALLY wish I had bought a new scanner now! LOL!

 

I have never seen a real 20rd stock pouch like that in real life. I have seen RUSCO and Mills 50rd pre-war pouches and they do not have the shoulder straps, just belt loop. That's the best I can do.

 

The only other odd accessory/ammo pouch I have seen passed through my collection years ago and from what I know it was part of a huge lot of USMC gear sold to Paramount studies in the late 1940's or early 1950's and then was sold to two well known collectors in the late 1980's. One of these men had several from which I acquired mine. They all looked arsenal made and of USMC pattern. At first glance they looked like standard BAR bandoleers, but upon closer examination they were not. The hardware matched my WW2 dated USMC M1918 grenade vests and was made of the same light weight yellowish canvas. The pockets were flatter and had a divider inside. Each pocket held two 20rd magazines (a total of 6). Whether or not this was pre-war or early WW2 (1941-1942) I don't know.

 

I think what would be fun for your image, based on the USMC picture mentioned above, show him carrying the 100rd Drum and the pouch (just a larger version of the WW2 50rd pouch with the shoulder strap!

 

Chris Fischer

[redjoshman]

Basicly this is the set up I would recomend based off what I have seen amond Shipboard Marines and Marines of the 4th Marine Regiment:

M1912 Pistol Belt

P1912 Canteen Cover with M1910 Canteen and Cup

P1912 First Aid Pouch and Bandage

5 Cell Thompson Ammunition Pouch

50rd Drum Magazine Pouch (Slung Over Shoulder, No US on it because according to Tolkoff in Grunt Gear USMC and USN 50rd drum pouches were taken from Civilian stock prior to 1942)

 

Optional (Depending on Rank, Time Period, Location, and Situation):

M1912 or M1916 Dismounted Holster for the 1911

M1917 Mills Pistol Ammunition Pouch

Depending on the mission, also an P1912 Pack

 

-Josh

[redjoshman]

Basicly this is the set up I would recomend based off what I have seen amond Shipboard Marines and Marines of the 4th Marine Regiment:

M1912 Pistol Belt

P1912 Canteen Cover with M1910 Canteen and Cup

P1912 First Aid Pouch and Bandage

5 Cell Thompson Ammunition Pouch

50rd Drum Magazine Pouch (Slung Over Shoulder, No US on it because according to Tolkoff in Grunt Gear USMC and USN 50rd drum pouches were taken from Civilian stock prior to 1942)

 

Optional (Depending on Rank, Time Period, Location, and Situation):

M1912 or M1916 Dismounted Holster for the 1911

M1917 Mills Pistol Ammunition Pouch

Depending on the mission, also an P1912 Pack

 

-Josh

 

Forgot to add this book would really help and would solve almost all your questions:

http://www.amazon.com/Navy-Uniforms-World-.../ref=pd_sim_b_1

 

This book covers ships landing parties and the like in great detail. It includes little tidbits like that some ships landing parties wore USN white undress uniforms died khaki when ashore and other really cool thing along those lines.

 

-Josh

[101CH47]

Example of the RUSCO pre war type.

[101CH47]

You can find more information regarding pre war Thompson web gear here - http://www.machinegunboards.com/forums/ind...showtopic=10090