# Can a Thompson SMG actually fit into a violin case? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 22, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529 "2012-09-22T20:42:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/1 "2012-09-22T20:42:09Z")
I’ve seen each, but never at the same time. (Should this have been in the Chicago forum? :)) ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/2 "2012-09-22T20:46:55Z")
[Exhibit A](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Thompson_in_violin_case.jpg) [Exhibit B](http://home.comcast.net/~gunspotz/us_rifles/Thompson/4830case.jpg) [Exhibit C](http://www.websilk.co.uk/images-misc/Thompson-ViolinCase3x800.jpg) [Exhibit D](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dxNA1TGLdvM/SZGa1BF9kaI/AAAAAAAABR4/Glu6W_9Umqc/s400/violinpic1.jpg) [Exhibit E](http://www.machinegunbooks.com/regular/Thompson40.jpg) Etc. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/3 "2012-09-22T20:49:13Z")
[Photo](http://home.comcast.net/~gunspotz/us_rifles/Thompson/4830case.jpg) [evidence](http://www.campaignmastery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Thompson_in_violin_case_s1.jpg). EDIT: Scooped by a mechanical fruit! . ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/4 "2012-09-22T20:54:55Z")
Thanks. I showed those pictures to someone who said each was worth $25K. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/5 "2012-09-22T20:56:36Z")
I wish I could get that much for _my_ pictures! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/6 "2012-09-22T23:03:43Z")
Not bad. But my Kel-Tec [Sub2000](http://world.guns.ru/userfiles/images/civil/civ001/kel-tec_sub2k-1.jpg) folds in half. Like the Tommy gun it fires handgun ammo. It accepts Glock mags including the 33 round [Stick mag](http://whatacountry.com/images/products/detail/GLOCK33.jpg) or a 100 round [Drum](https://armamentsales.netfirms.com/photos/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Glock_100rd.jpg) mag. All this fits inside a small [satchel](http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxjRWwRaEeA92cWOfU59tNxNSmXa64E4XBjunj39OiHnF9kYoDEeZXudke) , less than half the size of a violin case. And a guy walking down the street carrying a satchel or brief case may not stand out as much as a guy carrying a violin case. Plus, the satchel can be concealed under a coat easier. ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/7 "2012-09-23T00:23:09Z")
Need answer fast? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/8 "2012-09-23T00:33:20Z")
> [@Mdcastleman](#): > > Need answer fast? Oh, _well_ done! \ ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/9 "2012-09-23T02:17:36Z")
> [@Mdcastleman](#): > > Need answer fast? He thought so. Turned out it was just the Violin section of the local Philharmonic out for some lunch. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/10 "2012-09-23T04:26:09Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Thanks. I showed those pictures to someone who said each was worth $25K. But how much for the Chicago Typewriters? ---
**Author:** ![gunnergoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e95f7d/32.png) [@gunnergoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gunnergoz)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/11 "2012-09-23T04:40:10Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Not bad. > > But my Kel-Tec [Sub2000](http://world.guns.ru/userfiles/images/civil/civ001/kel-tec_sub2k-1.jpg) folds in half. Like the Tommy gun it fires handgun ammo. It accepts Glock mags including the 33 round [Stick mag](http://whatacountry.com/images/products/detail/GLOCK33.jpg) or a 100 round [Drum](https://armamentsales.netfirms.com/photos/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Glock_100rd.jpg) mag. > > All this fits inside a small [satchel](http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxjRWwRaEeA92cWOfU59tNxNSmXa64E4XBjunj39OiHnF9kYoDEeZXudke) , less than half the size of a violin case. > > And a guy walking down the street carrying a satchel or brief case may not stand out as much as a guy carrying a violin case. Plus, the satchel can be concealed under a coat easier. Which may be true but it has no history, no character and nowhere near the collectable value. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/12 "2012-09-23T04:58:10Z")
But are those violin or viola cases? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/13 "2012-09-23T06:23:49Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > He thought so. Turned out it was just the Violin section of the local Philharmonic out for some lunch. Unfortunately the brass section was there and the violinists tried to whack 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/14 "2012-09-23T06:39:07Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Not bad. > > But my Kel-Tec [Sub2000](http://world.guns.ru/userfiles/images/civil/civ001/kel-tec_sub2k-1.jpg) folds in half. Like the Tommy gun it fires handgun ammo. It accepts Glock mags including the 33 round [Stick mag](http://whatacountry.com/images/products/detail/GLOCK33.jpg) or a 100 round [Drum](https://armamentsales.netfirms.com/photos/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Glock_100rd.jpg) mag. > > All this fits inside a small [satchel](http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxjRWwRaEeA92cWOfU59tNxNSmXa64E4XBjunj39OiHnF9kYoDEeZXudke) , less than half the size of a violin case. Can the Kel-Tec be fired full auto, like the Tommy gun? (I know it’s not that useful) Is it just a matter of sear-filing, or did Kel-Tec take pains to not make that an easy modification? I’ve heard lots of great things about their products—they seem to have pretty much cornered the pocket pistol market. Never shot one though. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/15 "2012-09-23T07:49:59Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Can the Kel-Tec be fired full auto, like the Tommy gun? (I know it’s not that useful) Is it just a matter of sear-filing, or did Kel-Tec take pains to not make that an easy modification? I’ve heard lots of great things about their products—they seem to have pretty much cornered the pocket pistol market. Never shot one though. I have. The Kel-Tec 3AT (.380) kicks like a mofo. The Ruger .380 is almost identical to the Kel-Tec but has nowhere near the recoil. Must be the guide rod assembly or something. Remember that while contrary to popular belief full auto is legal under federal law and law of about 40 states, the weapon has to have been made prior to 1986 which would exclude the Kel-Tec. But the Kel-Tec Sub2000 can be fired in “bump-fire” mode (if you know how to do it) which is almost as good as full auto once you master it. Full auto/bump fire is, BTW, an expensive hobby. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/16 "2012-09-23T09:28:28Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Not bad. > > But my Kel-Tec [Sub2000](http://world.guns.ru/userfiles/images/civil/civ001/kel-tec_sub2k-1.jpg) folds in half. Like the Tommy gun it fires handgun ammo. It accepts Glock mags including the 33 round [Stick mag](http://whatacountry.com/images/products/detail/GLOCK33.jpg) or a 100 round [Drum](https://armamentsales.netfirms.com/photos/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Glock_100rd.jpg) mag. > > All this fits inside a small [satchel](http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxjRWwRaEeA92cWOfU59tNxNSmXa64E4XBjunj39OiHnF9kYoDEeZXudke) , less than half the size of a violin case. Just the thing for today’s busy terrorist on the go. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/17 "2012-09-23T10:30:08Z")
> [@Alka\_Seltzer](#): > > Just the thing for today’s busy terrorist on the go. Sometimes you just gotta gun 'n run. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/18 "2012-09-23T14:57:10Z")
Most violinists nowadays use a rectangular case. The major reason is that it has a bit of extra storage space for other things that the musician needs to carry However, more than one violinist has told me that they always get smart-ass remarks about machine guns if they use a violin-shaped case, so the rectangular case is preferred for that reason as well. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/19 "2012-09-23T15:11:40Z")
FWIW, I used to keep my Colt AR-15 Sporter (original style, 20" barrel, triangular fore-end) in my guitar case. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529/20 "2012-09-23T16:29:20Z")
I wonder why using trombone cases to hide rocket launchers never became as popular. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-thompson-smg-actually-fit-into-a-violin-case/635529.md?page=2)