Which Replica MP40 and Thompson Submachine Guns?

Fairlane66

I want to put together a display containing various American and German military artifacts to honor my father-in-law's service during the WWII. He landed in Normandy on D+1 and fought all the way through to VE Day, ending up in Czechoslovakia when the Germans surrendered. During the Battle of the Bulge, he employed a ring-mounted Browning 50 Cal to shoot down a BF-109 that was strafing nearby American troops. In doing so, he inadvertently put some .50 rounds into the roof of a nearby house so, fearing punishment, he denied shooting down the plane when a Captain began asking who fired the weapon. Another nearby soldier spoke up and received a medal for the action! He always laughed when telling that story. Anyhow, he was quite a soldier (and a great guy) who passed away several years ago, so we want to honor his service and keep his memory alive. The display we are contemplating will include wartime pictures of him during lulls in the action, his GI helmet and other personal items, and assorted German gear--a helmet and dagger taken from an officer he captured, and other items. I want to purchase accurate replicas of a Thompson submachine gun, the weapon he carried during the war, and an MP40, the weapon the German officer was carrying when captured, to include in the display. From my research, it appears Denix set the standard for these replica firearms. Does anyone have any thoughts on Denix replicas or recommendations for replicas from another manufacturer? Also, is there a company you'd recommend buying the replicas from? The Internet is awash in information, so I'm looking for inputs from you experts who may have already gone down this path. Thanks in advance.

rufe-snow

GSG has recently brought to market, a functioning .22 RF replica of the MP 40. As GSG, ( German Sport Guns), is located in the fatherland. It's going to be as close to the real McCoy, as you're going to be able to get your hands on legally.

Very high quality replicas of the Thompson. Were made in Japan. Don't know if they are still available? As new production. Or you will have to try to find one for sale, on secondary market?

Spider7115

The Denix Thompson is $213. The MGC is $1K! [:0]

http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=481054244



http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=480948031

v35

The M1A1 for sure was used in WW2 I don't know about the 1928A1 shown above.
Either way they had handguards and not pistol grips.

competentone

I can't help you with the MP40, but Thompson makes a display model that I'd think would suit your needs perfectly:

http://www.auto-ordnance.com/Thompson-Display-Models/Thompson-Display-Models.asp

They're handled as a "special order" by their custom shop. If your father had remembered the serial number of the one he carried -- and you had that information -- I'm sure they could add that number to it.

When you finish the display and have some pictures of it, I, and I think others here, would appreciate seeing it. (It would be more appropriate for the General Discussion board then.)

Laredo Lefty

I bought one of the GSG copies of the MP-40 yesterday. Very nice replica of the original. It comes in a wood crate complete with German type markings.

machine gun moran

28A1's were issued early in WW2, a lot of pics of the early WW2 actions in the Pacific include them.

Sadly, a very high percentage of Savage-made Thompsons went to the bottom of the Atlantic, before the HMFWIC's learned to not put all of the eggs of any one type, in the same basket.