Thompson M1928 - Export Model - British Use WW2 - Kit, Chest, Manual and Accessories

artiozen
Jun 30
2 min read

Within the last year (mid 2025 onwards) I've had the combined luck to be offered a pristine Model 1928 Thompson kit with custom machined 80% finished exacting receiver, a British use Model 1928 Thompson replica storage chest along with a suitable manual and Kerr NoBuckle sling.

These were compiled together for the MACA Baltimore show in March 2026 and quickly found and enthusiastic new owner. I understand their intention is to have it built professionally into a Semi-Auto version.

The base kit was a Russian war effort export - it sat there unused through WW2 and the Cold War - returning to the US as a surplus item and being in the stock room of Springfield Sporters in the mid-nineties. This is the same format device that was bought by Britain in 1941 and 1942 to arm its NCOs and other operatives - they reputedly cost 37 pounds each -this drove the War Department to commission design specifications that ultimately lead to the UK home grown STEN family of devices which each cost under 10 pounds. As WW2 advanced it became obvious that a "modern army" needed modular platoons that wielded a higher proportion of flexible Automatic fire - in both LMG form (Bren for the British) and SMG (Thompson, then the STEN). The Thompsons were also added to midwar vehicle load outs for Commanders and Crew.

With its re-import into the US the receiver was separated and destroyed - the remainder of the kit is a 1940's time capsule for preservation - right down to the synthetic rubber recoil buffer. I admire the bronze diagonal segment on the bolt - a past age of engineering and manufacturing! This kit was also complete with the Coonan ladder rear sight and its mounting base.

The previous owner had found it at Springfield Sporters (actually 2 or 3 of them) and had commissioned an exacting 80% receiver - right down to the wartime markings and then it sat again shelved until mid 2025.

The chest was made as part of a small batch of exacting British format chests to house these devices. It has onboard storage for 4 stick magazines, the butt stock and the receiver assembly - with latches and catches. Also onboard are cleaning kit and supplies.

The hinges for the chest are shared with the British Bren Chest, Bren 100 Round Magazine Chest and BESA Chest (potentially more) - these were cut down from high street / commercial heavy duty hinges - as now provided by VolksBolts in the UK. The toggles and latches are shared with the SANo15 No4T rifle chests. The centrally lid mounted carry handle is a period Stanley tool box design