Got an odd briefcase today...

[jcook119]

FedEx knocked on my door this morning, to drop off a large box. When I opened it, I found this rather old, odd looking briefcase inside:

I noticed a couple of very peculiar damaged areas???

Opening it up, I found this.

What is this thing? Intrigued, I started looking around for things to fit. XBOX? No. Laptop? Nope. How about a drill? Didn't work either. Then I tried this:

We have a winner, an original UZI operational case!

I found it at Ohio Ordinance Works, they had one in stock. I ordered it Thursday, got it this morning. A few initial observations...

1) The case is in good condition overall, but it has a few scuffs, scratches, etc. Overall it looks good, I may use some leather cleaner to shine it up a bit.

2) The gun fits pretty snug, but the barrel isn't lining up exactly with the hole. It's not long enough to fit inside the hole, it stops just short of going in. I am not sure if they had slightly longer than normal barrels for use with the cases or what, but I'd say it would be risky to fire this thing as-is. I may try to add some kind of block to help align it, or talk to Mark at TROS and see if he can cut down and convert a semi barrel for me to use. It needs an extra 1/8 to 1/4 inch length to rest inside the hole.

3) The case came with a photocopy of a letter from the ATF outlining the NFA implications of using the case with a semi-auto gun. Mine is a registered full-auto Vector, so no problem for me.

4) A key was also included. The latches lock solidly, with no play at all. It's a bit mushy to unlock them, but they work.

5) I actuated the firing latch with the gun off safe and bolt open. It functioned fine. I worked the bolt with the gun still in the case, and it worked fine. I'd say as soon as I get the barrel alignment issue figured out, I'm gonna have to take this thing out and play with it

I assume this is one of the Cobray cases, but I can't find any markings anywhere. OOW says it was a C.I.A. issued case. Dave, do you or anyone else know how many cases Cobray made, and did the C.I.A. snag many of them?

Thanks,
James

 

[Garrett]

I may try to add some kind of block to help align it, or talk to Mark at TROS and see if he can cut down and convert a semi barrel for me to use. It needs an extra 1/8 to 1/4 inch length to rest inside the hole.

Neat find.

I don't believe a semi-auto barrel would work in an SMG unless you have the semi-auto feedramp installed.

What about threading the end of the barrel and adding an extension, like a flash hider? See if that would fit, an then shorten the barrel as needed when you get it threaded so that the extension doesn't protrude through the side of the case.

I think the "window frame" on the side of the case is for a business card - something you can cover the hole with, but that can be shot through.

Just make sure you have the case pointing the right direction when you try shooting the gun. :cool

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

Great Find!!

 

[AGG]

That is an incredible acquisition!!! :shocked

Tony

 

[jcook119]

A thread on barrel extension is a good idea, I'll talk to Mark about that. As for the "window", yes it fits a standard sized business card. It's a bit tricky to get inserted, as you can see from the picture the window part was not very well done. It's crooked, but it does fit. You would use the card to cover the hole, and shoot through it.

I am not sure what the purpose of the one side's velcro or the hole underneath it is. The ejection port is on the opposite side of the hole, so it's not for empties to fly out of. Any ideas or info on that? Maybe for the safety? I'll have to put it back in and try that.

Thanks,
James

 

[BlackBird]

Here is what is in my Briefcase.:evilgrin

 

[joshuap]

Is the hole so that the operator can switch it from safe to semi and auto?

 

[Mike26038]

Is the hole so that the operator can switch it from safe to semi and auto?

Definatley what that hole if for. While carrying that case you really would want the gun on safe, as the case has no saftey mechanisim it's self.

 

[Russ in PA]

Definatley what that hole if for. While carrying that case you really would want the gun on safe, as the case has no saftey mechanisim it's self.

The covering of the hole is odd, in that it would be INCREDIBLY noisy and slow to tug that flap open.

That's definitely a neat item that you've found though, very neat indeed.

 

[sunnybean]

The hole is to activate the frickin' laser beam...duh.



No really, very cool.

 

[TeamAFX]

Post a video of it when you try it out. Thats cool.

 

[watchin]

I have a catalog from Cobray and their operation briefcases were going for $264. This was in 1982, and they describe them as 'Assassination Devices which need special government permits'. I can just see someone asking their LEO for a permit for an "assassination" device.
Very cool find, btw. I will bet that there aren't many of them lying around anymore.
-watchin-

 

[jcook119]

I have a catalog from Cobray and their operation briefcases were going for $264. This was in 1982, and they describe them as 'Assassination Devices which need special government permits'. I can just see someone asking their LEO for a permit for an "assassination" device.
Very cool find, btw. I will bet that there aren't many of them lying around anymore.
-watchin-

The photocopied letter that came with the case is dated February 4, 1982. It was from Acting NFA Branch Chief Gary Schaible, addressed to a "Mr. Feinberg." Was Feinberg one of the owners of Cobray?

An excerpt from the letter states (quoted exactly as it appears):

"You may sell the case alone to anyone. You should caution the buyer, however, that posession of the case and a semiautomatic firearm which would fit into the case would place him in posession of an NFA firearm which must be registered to be lawfully posessed."

Thanks,
James

 

[jcook119]

Definatley what that hole if for. While carrying that case you really would want the gun on safe, as the case has no saftey mechanisim it's self.

Yes, the hole is for manipulating the safety lever. I thought it might be tricky to do, but it works very easily.

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

Definately want to see video of it in action!

 

[jcook119]

Once I get the barrel alignment issue fixed, I'll get it to the range and get some video.

 

[jcook119]

One thing I am wondering about. I know John Thedford has one of these in his collection, per the pics on his website. Does anyone know of any others that are out there? Do any of the major UZI collectors on this board have one? I am just curious, I'd like to know how many were made. The UZITalk library entry says "a small run". Does anyone know exactly how many Cobray manufactured?

Thanks,
James

 

[sharps_74]

Nice find. The business card size cover may have been made to look like something that somebody had put on as sort of a way to hide it in plain sight. As for the leather, I'd put some LeatherNew on it. I use the stuff for all my saddles and tack and it works great.

 

[MAC MAN]

You STOLED that case at that price. Normally they go for THREE times that.Great find. Take good care of it.

 

[Russ in PA]

You STOLED that case at that price. Normally they go for THREE times that.Great find. Take good care of it.

How much was it? I didn't see the price mentioned.

As far as that NFA restriction goes, if you legally own a gun that would fit in the case (only a sub gun would fit), then you should be OK, correct?