TD.

I am going to bring this back to the top because I have had several questions if this new book would help evaluate the Colt Thompson submachine guns being offered in the upcoming Morphy and Rock Island auctions. The answer is yes. I have looked at all the Colt's being offered by these two auction houses in May 2024. There are some nice Colt's in the mix. But there are some that you really need to understand the deficiencies before bidding - unless you want a shooter grade Colt. One Colt is being relisted because the past winner thought the barrel was original and the auction information did not disclose an obvious replacement barrel. This book will help you avoid those mistakes. Purchase information is listed above. If you're looking for a Colt and/or just want to learn about this iconic submachine gun, this will be the best 25 bucks you will ever spend. I want to thank everyone for their past support.

A new and pocket size (8.25" x 6") book on the Colt Thompson submachine gun by Tom Davis, Jr. This book is the result of feedback from buyers of my second book, An Amateur's Guide for the Colt's Thompson Submachine Gun. One recurring comment I hear from readers is the Amateur’s Guide book is a great reference book. However, it is just a little too large to drag around to a gun show, auction house or Thompson show when inspecting a Colt Thompson. I have been told many times something smaller and easier to carry around would be perfect – but keep the pictures and captions. This 51 page in color book is mostly pictures with expansive captions. All Colt Thompson submachine guns are very expensive in today’s marketplace. Some are astonishingly high priced. Reference books about Thompson submachine guns are also expensive but can identify many pitfalls that can save buyers a lot of remorse if utilized properly. This pocket size book is designed to allow a prospective buyer or enthusiast the opportunity to correctly inspect a Colt Thompson in a systematic step by step process from one area to another - at a very reasonable price. It is not a replacement for my Amateur’s Guide book; it is a supplemental guide. It is also an inexpensive introduction to the Colt Thompson submachine gun for those new to the machine gun community seeking to learn about the iconic Tommy Gun. It is available on Amazon.com for $24.99 plus shipping and tax. My price is $25 for a signed copy postage paid. I will have copies available at the upcoming Thompson Collector's Association (TCA) Show & Shoot in late April as well as the early May, Ohio Gun Collector's Association (OGCA) display show. If you cannot make these events, contact me at: tkd5501@fuse.net for ordering information. Or if you just want to talk Thompson; no purchase required! Thank you for all your past support. I also have all of my other books available: Great Britain – The Tommy Gun Story, An Amateur's Guide for the Colt's Thompson Submachine Gun, A Thompson Compendium and Thompson: Colt's, West Hurley's & More.

I have had several questions on the Thompson 1928AC variation of late, so I am bringing this back to the top. You do not have to purchase any of my books for me to talk Thompson with you - all variations. I am always available at the above email address. I also have a new book, released earlier this year: THOMPSON: Colt's, West Hurley's & More. Send me an email if you would like to discuss. Again, no purchase necessary.

I have had several inquiries about the new ATF web-based Freedom of Information Act request system. I cover this new system in detail in Chapter 11. Those enthusiasts that like Colt era Auto-Ordnance paper will certainly enjoy the Spanish paper from Argentina pictured and translated in Chapter 12. And there is so much more!

Can you post pictures of the Colt Thompsons when received. Thanks!

I have had several inquiries for this this book, so I am bringing it back to the top. There is now a hardcover version available directly from me for $50 plus $4 shipping (retail price at Amazon.com is $59.99). Contact me at tkd5501@fuse.net for questions or ordering information. I am always available to talk Thompson!

I appreciate the kind words. Back to the top.

A new book on the Thompson submachine gun by Tom Davis, Jr. Thompson: Colt’s, West Hurley’s & More is the fourth book by Tom Davis, Jr. about the Thompson submachine gun. Tom focuses on areas of Thompson history, accessories and guns that have never been fully explored. A prime example is the British proofed Colt manufactured Thompson guns. These guns were not sent to Great Britain during World War II and later returned to the United States. But these guns did travel to Great Britain and were returned to Auto-Ordnance and later sold in the US, all prior to World War II. This book explains what happened and the meaning of the different markings. The rare and expensive Colt era long cleaning rods is another area sorely lacking on information that would aide an enthusiast in making a purchase decision. Reproductions abound in the marketplace. Learn the number of variations and what to look for during an examination. The canvas spare part kits are mostly fakes. Period. This chapter details with pictures the few known authentic canvas kits and explains how one may be the real deal. All the known fake variations are pictured too, many purchased directly from the faker! West Hurley owners will greatly benefit from the two chapters dedicated to the last commercially manufactured Thompson submachine guns in the United States. There is one West Hurley part that is dangerous and must be replaced. All the other West Hurley parts are covered in detail including some parts introduced in the marketplace years ago by a vendor specifically for the West Hurley guns that can cause real damage if used. This book begins with NO 91, features the famous New Mexico Prison Colt’s, and ends with NO 147. All presented in detail with expansive captions like presented in Tom’s second book, An Amateur’s Guide for the Colt’s Thompson Submachine Gun. Not only will an enthusiast enjoy the beauty of these Colt’s, but they will also learn how to evaluate one as a prospective buyer. And there is so much more. This is a must have book for a Thompson collector's library. This new publication is available immediately on Amazon.com at a list price of $49.99 Use the Amazon website “Look Inside” feature to review a few pages and see if this book contains the information you need before making a purchase decision. Personalized copies can be purchased directly from the author at a Sturmgewehr special price of $40 plus $4.00 shipping in the continental United States. Contact Tom Davis, Jr. at: tkd5501@fuse.net for purchase information. Other books by Tom Davis, Jr. - Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story, An Amateur’s Guide for the Colt’s Thompson Submachine Gun & A Thompson Compendium.

I just received another order of books so I am going to bring this back to the top. Contact me at - tkd5501@fuse.net - for ordering information. Or if you just want to talk Thompson. No purchase required! Thanks! TD. Other books by Tom Davis, Jr. - Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story & An Amateur’s Guide for the Colt’s Thompson Submachine Gun

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests are great source of information on the past history of an NFA weapon. Other than tracing back the weapons history one past owner at a time, it is the only source of information. Some past owners of NFA weapons have preserved the original IRS/ATF registration Forms, but many have not. If the past history is unknown, filing a FOIA request with the ATF Disclosure Division is the first step in learning about your NFA weapon. I often encourage and assist owners of Thompson submachine guns to file FOIA requests. You don't know what you don't know. While the wait can sometimes be long, the cost is normally free. Yes, the past ownership information is redacted, but you can tell a lot of the past history from the dates, form types, titles and some of the government acceptance stamps. The earliest form is usually the most important. For example, the accepted definition of a Savage Commercial Thompson is a Savage Thompson that was sold to a law enforcement agency during World War II. If you find a Model of 1928 Savage Thompson without any military markings, no signs of military service such as inspector markings or arsenal/depot rebuild, no import markings, with the original dulite finish and matching receiver and frame, you may have a Savage Commercial Thompson. If there is no past history, how do you prove it is a Savage Commercial Thompson? A FOIA request may produce an IRS Form 1 showing the original registration was in the early 1940s. Many times, the words police or sheriff are unredacted. This is the perfect provenance of a commercial sale of a Model of 1928 Thompson submachine gun in the early 1940s to a non-military purchaser. Unfortunately, the IRS or ATF record keeping procedures were not the best and these early registration forms were lost (or at least not produced during a FOIA request). The earliest form may be a Form 5 from a government agency to a Class 3 dealer. This too is evidence of a commercial sale of the Thompson submachine gun in question. The forms usually associated with Thompson guns imported during the 1950s/60s are an IRS Form 2, normally from INTERARMS or similar company. Again, you don't know what you don't know. Every FOIA packet is different. One tip: use the information directly from the current ATF form regarding manufacturer, model, and serial number when filing a FOIA request. It does not matter if you think some of the information is incorrect; what you submit must match what ATF has on file regarding the weapon.

I noticed a few early Savage Thompsons for sale in the marketplace recently, so I am bringing this back to the top. The information in, A Thompson Compendium, will make you a very knowledgeable consumer on the early Savage guns (and more). There are 34 pages just on the Savage Commercial Thompson variation. Are you interested in the lowest serial numbered Savage Thompson found to date? And the four variations of Savage receivers? It is all here! I have books available. Contact me at - tkd5501@fuse.net - for ordering information. Or if you just want to talk Thompson. No purchase required! Thanks! TD. Other books by Tom Davis, Jr. - Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story & An Amateur’s Guide for the Colt’s Thompson Submachine Gun

Back to the Top! I have books available. Contact me at - tkd5501@fuse.net - for ordering information. Or if you just want to talk Thompson. No purchase required! Thanks! TD. Other books by Tom Davis, Jr. - Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story & An Amateur’s Guide for the Colt’s Thompson Submachine Gun

dcp, I appreciate you purchasing my book. I look forward to your thoughts about the book, especially the Potomac Arms chapter. It was a great experience meeting and interviewing the sons of John Richards. See pages 50 - 56 for more about a couple of Savage Commercials from Potomac Arms. I really like the picture you posted. I may have included this picture in my book if I would have known about it. I did include a picture of the sign that hung on the front door of Potomac Arms for many years. While Potomac Arms is gone, a visit to the Full Metal Jacket military surplus store should be on everyone's agenda if you are in or near Alexandria, Virginia. I would bet dcp has been there a few times! Again, thank you.

Ryo, I appreciate your interest in my new book, A Thompson Compendium. Unfortunately, all the copies I have right now have been spoken for. If you need or want the book immediately, it is available on Amazon.com. Or feel free to e-mail me (tkd5501@fuse.net) and ask to be contacted next year when I receive my next shipment of books. I do have a few copies of, An Amateur's Guide for the Colt's Thompson Submachine Gun, available. Have a great holiday season.

I want to thank everyone who has purchased my new book, A Thompson Compendium. I really appreciate the comments and feedback. I have two copies left and will not obtain another shipment of books until 2022. If you want a signed copy, please send me an e-mail (tkd5501@fuse.net) so I can reserve a copy for you until your check arrives. I will ship the same day payment is received. I also have available a few copies of my second book, An Amateur's Guide for the Colt's Thompson Submachine Gun. Let me know if you want to reserve a copy. Each book is $40 plus $4 shipping. If you buy both, only one shipping charge. Happy Holidays!!!