10-Hole Hero:
The Thompson M1A1
UNIQUE DETAILS OF THE THOMPSON M1A1
Even the Thompson M1A1 of the 10-Hole Hero Pulse Rifle differentiates in some way. It seems that the lower receiver does not have the curvature behind the grip that the rest of the Pulse Rifles have.
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What is interesting is that the Delta Pulse Rifle has the exact same straight line, which further adds credence to the theory that the Delta Pulse Rifle is in fact comprised of several parts of the original 10-Hole Hero Pulse Rifle, i.e. the whole grenade launcher section, the grip and apparently the lower M1A1 receiver too.
fig. 1: Several of the Pulse Rifles showing that the Prototype Rifle had a different contour of the line behind the grip.
While Bug Stomper and I initially thought that the lower receiver might be from a Thompson M1928 model or an earlier Thompson M1 model, it seems that it is in fact a M1A1 lower receiver, but that there are differences in the way different makers machined the lower receiver
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The 10-Hole Hero Pulse Rifle lower seems to be made by Auto Ordnance, whereas the more curved contour seems to be manufactured by Savage. Furthermore, Auto Ordnance lower receivers are said to have the "FULL AUTO" markings in a single line, Savage has one word above the other.
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I was told that the book "American Thunder: Military Thompson Submachine Guns (3rd Edition)" contains a guide to the different receivers, but have yet to acquire it.
fig. 2: An image showing an Auto Ordnance M1A1 lower receiver, which shows the "straight line" countour behind the grip.
Lastly, Aliens Legacy member DarthWilder pointed out that the safety lever on his Auto Ordnance M1A1 receiver has a unique profile for the safety lever which is more oval than round.
When I went to check, I found that, indeed, the safety lever at least on the prototype Pulse Rifle is oval shaped too. I cannot confirm if this is unique to Auto Ordnance M1A1s. I only found images of M1A1 rifles with the normal safety lever. However, the almost straight contour just behind the grip seems to be unique to Auto Ordnance M1A1, but there are also Auto Ordnance M1A1 with the more curved look. So it is very likely that the design elements can depend on several factors.
fig. 3: The more oval shaped safety lever on the prototype Pulse Rifle.