There is a really nice English couple who visit the Chantilly, Virginia gun show. They are from Ryton Arms in the UK. Historically they have sold Thompson parts and I bought a beautiful 1928 Thompson kit from them.
The last time I saw them a few months ago they had the drums and carriers, new belts, starter tabs, excellent ammo cans, new condition lubricant can sets and had sold out of new condition barrel carriers. I believe I paid $150 for the set. They had some early drums with carrier that were $200 for the set.
He was talking about his shopping trips to Eastern Europe and saying the surplus was in a big cave. He would be outside and they would bring up various items for him to buy or not. He would ask if they had certain items and was told this is not a supermarket.
I was hoping to see what new treasures they would have, but did not see them at the last Chantilly show.
I have one MG34 drum (1940) that had a blued (shiny black) finish that I found under the Yugo Paint. Paint stripper did not harm the black underneath the paint. I painted Feldgrau over it. At least the underlayment on that drum is still original and undamaged. It was the only drum I had that would not strip down to bare metal. Apparently the earlier drums were much higher quality in finish than later ones. Details like the checked area on the release latch were done much sharper and in greater detail than later drums.
You got an excellent deal for that set for $150.00. It appears that the paint was redone though. Anyone else agree?
Wow they sell them cheaper in the USA than they do back home! The number of times I see these listed on evilbay go for over £200 is untrue. I end up shouting at the computer that you can get them for £150 in the shops, ah well a fool and his money and all that.
The only thing that helps me maintain my slender grip on reality is the friendship I share with my collection of singing potatoes.
They are items that have come out of Russian capture storage, and have been refurbished by them, hence the typical Russian green of the drum mag carriers and the patronenkasten that they also sell. They are original wartime and have the stampings etc but in my view better stripped and repainted in a more correct colour. The blued drums are fine as they are, and look pretty cool/evil on MGs as they are practically the same colour and finish....
