If anyone is wondering how the Thompson SMG pictured above got there this is the explanation. Every Lend lease tank we provided to the Russian's was equipped with two Thompsons. The problem was no 45acp ammo was sent rendering them virtually useless. Thousands of Thompsons were put into storage until the 90s and sold to militaria dealers after the end of the Cold War.
One of the principal dealers was a guy named Tony Rymond(SP?) who was located in Great Britian.
Tony(now deceased) had a breakers licence and would disassemble the Thompson's into parts kits (no receiver)so they could be imported for sale here. Tony told me at one time he had 1100 Thompson receivers stacked up in his basement. If those could somehow have been registered they would be worth at least $10,000 each.
I don't want to hijack Gaspare's thread but hopefully you'll find this little piece of history interesting.
Jim