usaaf93 Posted August 21, 2015 Share #1 Posted August 21, 2015 Hello I would like to purchase an M1928A1 thompson to put on a display about the 82nd airborne in Sicily but I have several questions. Were all the models of thompson used during ww2 ? Did the airborne use only some models of thompson ? Would this model of thompson be ok for my paratrooper ? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 21, 2015 Share #2 Posted August 21, 2015 That Thompson was made in 1942, late production M1928A1 with simple Lyman rear peep sight. Smooth barrel, nickle plated bolt and smooth actuator knob. Its the last M1928A1 model produced before production switched to the new M1 model of 1943. The types of Thompsons used during WWII follows: M1928A1, M1, and M1A1. Yes yours was used. However most Thompsons seen during HUSKEY are the earlier type. You see, as your Thompson was being made, the 82nd paras were drawing weapons. Smooth barrel peep sight M1928A1s for the most part did not start reaching combat units by 1943. So you would want a finned barrel 1928A1 with an adjustable Lyman rear sight if you want to be 100 Percent about it. but yours would work fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted August 21, 2015 ok thanks. When were made the 1928A1 thompson with finned barrel and simple Lyman rear sight ? Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 21, 2015 Share #4 Posted August 21, 2015 The Military officially picked up the Thompson in the 1920's, but only a handful were ordered during peacetime. Production picked up in 1940. They continued to make the finned barrel Lyman Thompsons up into 1942. So your para could have had a weapon made from 1940 up to 1942. Go to machinegunboards.com and check out the thompson page there. They know everything Thompson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 21, 2015 Share #5 Posted August 21, 2015 Here is a good one that fits your bill http://www.zib-militaria.de/epages/61431412.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61431412/Products/10016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted August 21, 2015 ok thanks. I guess they are rarer than the previous one as it is twice the price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbtcoveralls Posted August 21, 2015 Share #7 Posted August 21, 2015 ok thanks. I guess they are rarer than the previous one as it is twice the price Actually the one with the smooth barrel and simple sight is much rarer but is less desireable. Tom Bowers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted August 22, 2015 Can you explain why Tom ? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 22, 2015 Share #9 Posted August 22, 2015 Spend some time on this forum. Read and learn. I recently started to get into Thompsons, this site is excellent for finding info. http://www.machinegunboards.com/forums/index.php?showforum=3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share #10 Posted August 22, 2015 I'll do. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 22, 2015 Share #11 Posted August 22, 2015 Hello I would like to purchase an M1928A1 thompson to put on a display about the 82nd airborne in Sicily but I have several questions. Were all the models of thompson used during ww2 ? Did the airborne use only some models of thompson ? Would this model of thompson be ok for my paratrooper ? Thanks As an aside, the Thompson was still being used as late as 1969: I had one for a few months when assigned to Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) that looked just like your pictured one, except it did not have a Cutts Compensator. Also, I removed the stock to lighten it a bit. The big problem was that the fully loaded 'stick' magazines were crazy heavy, so after a couple of months I went back to an M16. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbtcoveralls Posted August 23, 2015 Share #12 Posted August 23, 2015 Can you explain why Tom ? Thanks The ford Pinto is a rare car today, there are very few left on the road and most aren't considered collectible. The Ford mustang was produced in much higher numbers for a longer time and is therefore not as rare, but is normally worth a lot more money because it is more desireable. Same thing here with the Thompsons. The earlier type with all the iconic Thompson features like the Cutts compensator, the finned barrel and the Adjustable Lyman sight was produced for a longer time, in greater numbers and is therefore more common, but is seen as more desirable than the arguably less produced and rarer late production '28 thompson with the smooth barrel and fixed stock. In some ways I always prefer the rare versions but most collectors look for the "icon" the most emblematic of the series and that will be the 28 with all the bells and whistles Tom Bowers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWIIBuff Posted January 21, 2020 Share #13 Posted January 21, 2020 I know your comment was made a long time ago, but nice analogy Tom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbtcoveralls Posted January 21, 2020 Share #14 Posted January 21, 2020 I know your comment was made a long time ago, but nice analogy Tom! I appreciate that, I learned long ago that rare isn't always the same as desirable, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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