Thompson SMG

[Sparky]

I don't know if you can bring in full auto's or not. It would be something to look into though. Can you get the Brazilian contact info Cesar? I would be interested in bringing over any equipment as well.

[Douglas Jr.]

Cesar,

I knew about the option of buy it directly from the Army surplus depots. I´m a registered collector - and this Thompson is also too - what turns everything legally OK.

However, the Army only put for sale their old guns through the auctions and the prices are increasing. For instance, I knew that some old G43 and K43 - probably captured in Italy and kept in stock for evaluation - were sold last year in Minas Gerais State for about US$ 1,000.00 (using the nowadays dollar conversion).

On the other hand, the auctions have suspended since about 1999 here in São Paulo, as far as I know. And, at last, the condition of the weapons offered are not so good. I could see some Mausers 1908 rifles purchased from the Army, and they were in bad shape.

The best items (including Lugers and Smith & Wesson Model 1917 revolvers both from the Brazilian Contracts) were already sent to USA during the mid-70s. And, with due respect with our Yankee friends, I strongly believe that the guns that were used in our country must stay here, with Brazilian collectors. We have so few collectable items - mainly from WWII - so why to send them to other places?

Just my thought about it.

Regards,

Douglas.

[Rich Yankowski]

MGs

Sounds like Brazil has it's act together with MGs! As to you Brazilian collectors keeping what's in your country 'in country',I can see your point.It really ticked me off when the U.S. government sent back a Tiger1(that was at the Aberdeen Proving Ground) to Germany! Now I'll never see one up close and personal,unless I get to Europe!And I don't see that happening any time soon!

[ccmax]

Douglas,

While I agree with most of what you said, it is still a pity that the unsold weapons are going to be destroyed. You know the Sherman and Stuart tanks that didn't sell in the past were were sold as scrap metal and turned into nails and barbed wire.

There was a bunch of WWII rocket lauchers at one recent auction. They sold for about US$ 30 simply because there were no bids and no one was interested in buying them. My friend got a mint M1A1 rocket launcher for that. The unsold ones were cut in two. WWII weapons in auctions come in every imaginable condition, from mint to relic. But it takes patience and knowledge to find the good ones.

There will never be enough collectors to purchase the thousands of 1919A4 Browning MGs the Brazilian Army still has for an example. The remaining majority will eventually melt in the ovens unless they are saved by collectors from other countries, or even harder, if the authorities have at least the good sense of allowing people to buy deactivated weapons for display only.


Cordially,
Cesar.

[ccmax]

Originally posted by Sparky
I don't know if you can bring in full auto's or not. It would be something to look into though. Can you get the Brazilian contact info Cesar? I would be interested in bringing over any equipment as well.

I will look for the contact information and get back to you.
Cesar.

[Sparky]

Thank you Cesar! What if the aoto weapon(s) were broken down and parts shipped seperately?

I would also be interested in buying a good load of equipment, helmets, etc.

Anyone familiar with what the rules and regs would be on this?

[ccmax]

I don't know if the weapons can be bought in parts. At the auction mentioned by Douglas where the G41/G43s were sold, they had M1905 bayonets both in 16" and 12" length. You didn't need any special authorization or register to purchase them. There were also .30 cal. belt feeding machines and ammo cans, WWII era. I didn't go to the auction (it was in another state) but I was able to see the official price list.
I know a militaria dealer who bought a large amount of M1 helmets, front seam with stainless steel rims and a few fixed bales. They were sold by the weight of the metal. There will be another sale of limited standard material (read WWII US) in São Paulo around February.
I am mainly interested in web gear/personal equipment, and hope to get some of it for my collection.

[Douglas Jr.]

Army aution

Hi Cesar,

first of all, Happy New Year. You mentioned above that it will be another aution at the Army HQ in São Paulo, probably next month. Where can I confirm that? I never went to one of these, and I´d like to know how it is.

Thanks,

Douglas.

[ccmax]

Happy New Year Douglas,

I sent you a PM.
Regards,
Cesar.

[Steve in Florida]

Private citizens may not import machine guns

into the US. You must be a licensed importer. Lots of money, lots of bureaucratic nonsense and obstacles, but it can be done. You may end up having to have a legitmate end user lined up (law enforcement or governemt) before US Customs will let you get them out of a bonded warehouse. The guns are not transferable to private citizens and must be marked with importer stampings. Last I knew, former US military hardware given as part of military assistance packages cannot be brought back into the US (thanks to the Stalinist Klinton). moremad

[Hauptmann]

My 1928 Thompson cost me $9,500, but it came with tons of extras. WWII GI kerr sling, original manuals, 6 - 30 round stick mags, 6 - 20 round stick mags, and a 50 round drum mag. The guy even threw in a repo FBI case. The drum mags alone sell for close to $1,000 if WWII issued. I would say, depending on condition, $8,000 to 8,500.

They are awesome. Personally I like my MP-40 better from the maintenance stand point - quick and easy to clean. But, the Thompson does handle nicely. Just my two cents.