1921 Colt Thompson hidden serial number reveal (gangster gun) and barrel removal tutorial

This video shows an original 1921 Colt's Thompson sub machine gun owned by a law enforcement agency in Minnesota. The Thompson's original serial number was chiseled away, and according to ATF paperwork a new IRS serial number was added in 1970. The barrel was removed to reveal the hidden serial number under the grip mount; that original serial number was used to help track this weapon's history. This video shows the method to remove the barrel using the Richardson or Mohawk barrel wrench and receiver vice.
Existing research shows this weapon was sold in May 1927 to a fictitious gangster company in Minnesota, and may have been supplied to the Touhy gang. Further research is indicating the weapon was in the possession of a St. Paul MN bootlegger until he was murdered in August 1927. The weapon was apparently stashed in a hidden cache prior to his death, and was later recovered by the owning agency. To date no crimes have been identified that connect to this weapon, although two parallel marks on the receiver indicate notches added after events meaningful to the criminal user.
The agency registered the weapon with the IRS in 1934 after the passage of the National Firearms Act.

[@mrunderhood]

4945 shipped March 31,1927 to Von Lengerke and Antoine Sporting Goods, Chicago. Then sold May 20, 1917 to Gopher State Mines Co. Minneapolis, which was a nonexistent gangster front company as one of seven sold to them. Ref: Gordon Herigstads book Colt Thompson Submachine Gun. The go to book for collectors.

[@oceania2385]

That book is pretty impressive. A buddy found a 40's M1 at flea market that was fished out of Saltwater. Complete "rust ball" and non operative. It would be fun to take off the barrel & find out where it came from.

[@SC-dw3jz]

Had to sign in just to say great video with a wealth of knowledge.

[@Nontacticalboy]

So cool! And that gun is so mint!

[@deeevans324]

A wealth of knowledge!

[@thegunbox81]

Video was well worth the watch, thank you for posting!! Any more thompson vids in the future?

[@Type99mg]

Definitely interest but getting the time is a challenge. Thank you for the kind words. If this topic interests you, check out the Thompson section at machinegunboards.com, those forums connected me with the two experts in this video.

[@thegunbox81]

@@Type99mg i was just going to ask if you posted it on our rhompson board!!!, I would love to know more history on your s!

[@Type99mg]

@@thegunbox81 I did recently add a time frame to a post on page 2 of this thread with everything we have learned until now. We have an intern digging into local news articles next month in hopes of learning more. www.machinegunboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24856&st=0

[@kevinmarrett9532]

I’m getting a semi automatic Thompson rebarrelled soon, and this video will be INVALUABLE for my gunsmith. Thank you so much for posting it.

[@buddafingaz9403]

Awesome, I didnt realize that we can switch the barrel up to the 10. 5" barrel. I hate these newer barrels that their slapping on the Thompson's now... 🔫🔫👍🙏

[@Type99mg]

You may need a new gripmount also due to differences in barrel countour. I believe original gripmount width is 1/2 inch where West Hurly changed to 3/4 meaning you may need a new wood foregrip too depending on what gripmount you install. Some parts companies like Numrich probably sell both types. If you are in the US read up on Short Barrel Rifle (SBR) registration requirements, which is the main reason the ugly long barrels are installed.

[@biggymu]

Don’t forget to apply for the short barreled rifle tax or it’s a violation of the GCA .

[@jamesburton2497]

Hello I have a question about an upgrade to except a bigger bullet caliber I was thinking about the trigger handle to be universal for a bigger firing pin bullet blush lock actuator

[@jamesarmbruster4143]

Do you have a video or information on how to remove or install a cutts compensator? I want to install one on my Thompson SBR but can’t figure out how to remove the front sight. I took the pin out but it still won’t move.

[@Type99mg]

I'm afraid not, there are several versions of compensators. If you join machinegunboards forums someone in the semi Thompson forum may be able to guide you.

[@binglu2342]

Awesome work! where is the place I can buy the tools to clamp barrel which was showed in the video?

[@Type99mg]

The tools shown were made by Doug Richardson who has recently passed away. There is a member on machineginboards Thompson forum named Mohawk64 who is selling a reproduction set. I bought one of his. I know of no other sources.

[@binglu2342]

@@Type99mg It's very useful info. Thank you very much! . I am going to buy one from him

[@rickrick8056]

How can you buy the vice for the Thompson Barrel removal

[@Type99mg]

@@rickrick8056 member Mohawk64 on machine gun boards website make a reproduction of the original Richardson design

[@krisflores8486]

How can I get one of those barrel vise/clamps?

[@Type99mg]

The one in the video is made by Doug Richardson, he unfortunately recently passed away so no longer available. If you go to machinegunboards website a member there in the Thompson forum makes a reasonably close copy. I think his handle is Mohawk64

[@paulstuhrenberg9165]

Steven’s? Thought Colt made the early Thompson’s?

[@Type99mg]

The original colt barrel was replaced with a ww2 smooth barrel, and has now been restored with a repro barrel of the correct type. Pictures seem to show the original Colt barrel was on in the 1930s, best we can figure at some point after ww2 a squib load may have damaged/bulged the barrel requiring a replacement

[@Nog311]

The Thompson company subbed out the manufacture to Colt.

[@63DIRTY]

Stevens ain’t got shit to do W/Thompsons -SAVAGE ARMS made them under contract during the war

[@kevinmarrett9532]

@@63DIRTYhe explains in the video if you’d just LISTEN

[@marktaylor9975]

@@63DIRTYSavage and Stevens Both marked with a “S” the Stevens mark was a square “S” and Savage was-S.

[@anof861]

Who is the gunsmith talking?

[@Type99mg]

The gentleman doing the work and teaching is Chuck. He's more of a collector and researcher than a gunsmith as I don't think he does work for others.

[@63DIRTY]

Since your compensator isn’t pinned, tighten the Bbl. Up so that it won’t want to unscrew, then, Adjust the compensator so it’s corrected

[@63DIRTY]

Doug Richardson and the GI TMs say if the Bbl. Is NOT going to be reused, a pipe wrench could be used to remove the old Bbl.

[@63DIRTY]

The original compensator was either a type 1 or 2 the military ones are fatter in O.D.

[@63DIRTY]

All that and you didn’t stamp an index mark?!? Frikken butcher!

[@63DIRTY]

This vid is FAKE! I’ve removed 3Orig.Thompson Bbl. And NONE of them come off this easy! Somebody pulled the Bbl. Prior to the vid.

[@oni_goroshi]

You're just one of those super special expert guys, huh? Did you actually watch and listen to the entire video before you started typing away with your booger encrusted fingers?