Auto-Ordinance????

hitman#1

March 03, 2003 18:51

I have seen items with NY and also Bridgeport Conn. Do they have two plants or have they moved. Also where are they now?
Trying to figure out approx. date of mfg on Thompson 50 rd drum.
Thanks
JW

0

• 

  cliffdropover1

  March 03, 2003 18:54

  Auto-Ordnance is now owned by Kahr arms.
  
  Hope this helps.

  0
• 

  rufe-snow

  March 03, 2003 21:34

  The original "Thompson Submachine Gun" was first manufactured by Colt in the early 1920's. Savage took over production in the late 1930's. They were both subcontractors for "Auto-Ordnance Corporation" of Bridgeport Connecticut who owned the patents etc. Production ceased at the end of W W II, circa 1945.
  Fast forward to the 1980's. The "Auto Ordnance Corporation" (same name different company/owners) of West Hurley, New York put the Thompson back into production.
  Kahr bought them out in 1999. I believe there production facilities are now located in Worcester, MA.
  If your drum has a Bridgeport address it was made between the 1920's & 1940's. If it has a New York address it was made in the 1980's or 1990's.

  0
• 

  offeror

  March 04, 2003 08:57

  The New York company was mainly known for quality problems. Your drum will be worth much more, not only as a collectible but probably also in terms of quality, if it is a Bridgeport-made item. Unless, of course, it was made recently under Kahr auspices, since they have upgraded the former owner's quality reputation.
  
  Life NRA Member
  
  T. Jefferson: "[When doing Constitutional interpretation], let us [go] back to the time when [it] was adopted. [Rather than] invent a meaning [let us] conform to the probable one in which it was passed."

  0
• 

  JudgeColt

  March 04, 2003 09:26

  While West Hurley guns were variable in quality, the many posts criticizing the current Kahr quality on www.machinegunbooks.com indicate to me the Kahr quality is as bad or worse. At the first SHOT Show after Kahr bought the brand, the displayed Thompsons looked terrible. I have an older West Hurley and am generally satisfied with it. Of course, it is not a Colt or Savage from Pre-War. That was quality.

  0
• 

  Sunray

  March 04, 2003 09:27

  "...West Hurley, New York put the Thompson back into production..." Not that it really matters, but this was the nice people at GunParts, AKA Numrich Arms.

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.