thompson submachine gun

A.O. In an attempt to expand interest and sales overseas, Auto-Ordnance entered into a partnership with and licensed the Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited (BSA) in England to produce a European model. In the Malayan Campaign, the Burma Campaign and the Pacific Theater, Lend-Lease-issue Thompsons were used by the British Army, Indian Army, Australian Army infantry and other Commonwealth forces. Sharpe, Philip B. Reloading an empty drum with cartridges was a difficult and involved process in which the 50 rounds would be inserted and then the magazine wound up until a minimum of 9 to 11 loud "clicks" were heard before seating the magazine into the weapon. Our M1 Thompson model is a .45 caliber semi-automatic replica of the most famous American submachine gun of World War II. with heavy professionally tanned & stitched leather. In addition, the Soviet Union received M1928A1s, included as standard equipment with the M3 light tanks obtained through Lend-Lease. With huge numbers of guns available in army ordnance arsenals, the Thompson remained classed as Limited Standard or Substitute Standard long after the standardization of the M3/M3A1. Think of a semi-automatic pistol issued to U.S. military personnel during World War II, and the Model 1911A1 immediately comes to mind. You will not find a more informative website on the subject. [48], The Thompson was used in World War II in the hands of Allied troops as a weapon for scouts, non-commissioned officers (corporal, sergeant, and higher), and patrol leaders, as well as commissioned officers, tank crewmen, and soldiers performing raids on German positions. The New York City Police Department was the largest purchaser of the M1919. Please check with your local law enforcement agencies. The law also placed restrictions on the possession, transfer, and transport of the weapons. An empty box was easy to reload with loose rounds. For WWII, approximately 1,700,000 Thompson Submachine Guns were produced by Auto-Ordnance and Savage Arms, with 1,387,134 being the simplified World War II M1 and M1A1 variants (without the Blish lock and oiling system[63]). [78], A special purpose machine pistol variant of the Thompson is manufactured by RPB Industries of Atlanta.[79]. Thompson Autorifle Model 1923 (top) and SMG Model 1921. 11, an Annihilator III, Model E, was retained by Auto-Ordnances engineering department and used to test various designs. Most of the design issues had been resolved by 1918; however, the war ended two days before prototypes could be shipped to Europe. The Thompson submachine gun (also known as the "Tommy Gun", "Chicago Typewriter", "Chicago Piano", "Trench Sweeper", or "Trench Broom") is a blowback-operated, selective-fire submachine gun, invented by United States Army brigadier general John T. Thompson in 1918. Models with the compensator were cataloged as No. All variants and modified versions of Thompson submachine guns (even semiautomatic-only versions) are prohibited by name in Canada, as part of Prohibited Weapons Order No. Original Thompson Sub Machine Guns for sale at International Military Antiques, Inc. Many Chinese Thompsons were captured and placed into service with American soldiers and marines for the remaining period of the war. The Model 1927A1 is a semi-automatic replica version of the Thompson, originally produced by Auto-Ordnance of West Hurley, New York for the civilian collector's market from 1974 to 1999. Eventually, all prohibited guns will be out of circulation. [36], The Thompson was first used in combat in June 13 1921, when West Virginia state troopers fired on the mountainside near Lick Creek, where striking miners were firing at passing cars. In its original design, it was finished more like a sporting weapon, with an adjustable rear sight, a blued, finned barrel and vertical foregrip (or pistol grip) and the Blish lock. [74], Some M1928A1 Thompsons were used by the French before and during the Battle of France (1940) under the designation "Pistolet-mitrailleur 11 mm 43 (C.45) M. 28 A1. For a long time, Ike, a retired law enforcement officerwho is also a gun collector, wasn't interested in owningThompsons. Many of the Colt models had French-language manuals packed with them as they had been abruptly diverted to England after the fall of France. In the European theater, the gun was widely utilized in British and Canadian commando units, as well as in the U.S. Army paratrooper and Ranger battalions, where it was issued more frequently than in line infantry units because of its high rate of fire and its stopping power, which made it very effective in the kinds of close combat these special operations troops were expected to undertake. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Antique Gun Dealer in Pennsylvania The first Model of 1919 was called the Persuader, and it was built in November 1917. It conjures up powerful images of the 1920s and 30s prohibition era. Lightweight aluminum receiver (TM1C), One 30 round stick magazine / One 10 round stick magazine (TM110S), Walnut fixed stock and horizontal foregrip. Ammunition was scarce as it was either in small lots of Lend-Lease commercial ammo or obtained from adjacent American troops. As per the NFA (National Firearms Act of 1934), the "1927A5 .45 ACP Pistol" is simply classified as a "Firearm" (Any type of firearm with an overall length of 26" or greater, that does not have a buttstock) as it neither fits the definition of a Pistol or Rifle under federal law. Late production M1 stocks were fitted with reinforcing bolts and washers to prevent splitting of the stock where it attached to the receiver. Chambered for .45 calibrethe same cartridge used by the M1911 Colt pistolThompsons trench sweeper boasted superb stopping power at the expense of a greatly reduced effective range. Variants include the 1928A1, M1 and M1A1. This Thompson was designed to fire the .45 ACP cartridges from a cloth ammunition belt. OVERVIEW:THOMPSON 1927A-1. This was one of the major complaints about the weapon by U.S. Army personnel to whom it was issued. Shortly afterwards the US Army also ordered a large quantity. It is interesting to note that on the receiver surface of this Model of 1919, the scribe marks used to lay out the machine cuts for manufacturing the firearm are plainly visible. The drum magazine also attached and detached by sliding sideways, which made magazine changes slow and cumbersome. Original U.S. WWII USMC 1944 Dated Thompson .45 Submachine Gun Magazine Pouch by Russell Mfg. Changes included a horizontal forend, in place of the distinctive vertical foregrip ("pistol grip"), and a provision for a military sling. An original Colt Model 1921 A or AC, Model 1927 A or AC, Model 1928 Navy A or AC, properly registered in working condition with original components can easily fetch from US$25,000 to $45,000+ depending on condition and accessories. More than 1.5 million Thompson submachine guns were produced during World War II. Sort By. It tended not to rattle, and could be inserted with the bolt safely closed. The slots adjoining the magazine well allowing the use of a drum magazine were removed. [44], A number of these guns were acquired by a construction company in Brazil,[who?] He gave his sales kit to Col. Elbert E. Farman, Jr., then U.S. Military Attach to Poland. The M1921 was quite expensive to manufacture, with the original retail price around $200, because of its high-quality wood furniture and finely machined parts. The Thompson submachine gun (also known as the "Tommy Gun", "Chicago Typewriter", "Chicago Piano", "Trench Sweeper", or "Trench Broom") is a blowback-operated, selective-fire submachine gun, invented by United States Army brigadier general John T. Thompson in 1918. For questions or accessibility help - please call (908) 903-1200. $59.95 M1 Thompson Buffer Pilot TMP098 $8.00 Thompson Foregrip Screw Horizontal TMP100 $4.50 But this was soon discarded in favor of a newly designed 20-round box, as well as 50- and 100-round spiral-feed drum magazines. Updates? The submachine gun is not grandfathered like in the U.S., only the owner. "The Thompson Sub-Machine Gun (in Police Science)", "Sturmgewehr!" The Thompson saw popularity as a point-defense weapon for countering ambushes by Nicaraguan guerrillas (in the Banana Wars) and led to the creation of four-man fire teams which had as much firepower as a nine-man rifle squad. However, the Annihilator III, Model G, with serial No. Thompson would incorporate the Blish lock system into his Thompson SMG, along with the . [40], The Thompson achieved early notoriety in the hands of Prohibition and Great Depression-era gangsters and the lawmen who pursued them. Its operation is semi-auto, firing from a closed bolt, and featuring a 10.5" barrel. Ike's oncebelonged to the Moline, Illinois, police department. [52] The U.S. Marines also used the Thompson as a limited-issue weapon, especially during their later island assaults. It is generally believed that 40 Model of 1919 prototypes were built by Auto-Ordnances Engineering Department in Cleveland. (TM1) / 8 lbs. The "Thompson Commando" is a semi-automatic replica of the M1928A1. The M1928A1 variant entered mass production before the attack on Pearl Harbor, as on-hand stocks ran out. "The Tommy Gun in Jungle Warfare: The Use and Usefulness of the Thompson Submachine Gun for Australian Soldiers on the Kokoda Trail, New Guinea, 1942,", Rice, Glenn E. "$210K for Bonnie & Clyde Tommy Gun, shotgun", The Ultimate Thompson Book by Tracie L. Hill, sfn error: no target: CITEREFSmith1969p461 (, As mentioned in a notorious reportage on the death of outlaw, sfn error: no target: CITEREFSmith1969p516 (, "Thompson Submachine Gun: Principles of Operation 1943", running various parts of the fragmented country, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Front de Libration de la Cte des Somalis, List of U.S. Army weapons by supply catalog designation, "Diario de la Guerra de Honduras: 30 de enero-30 de abril 1924, Mario Rivas", "Forgotten History of Thompson SMG in Secret Police and Army of Soviet Russia", "Silah Report Podcast V33: Iranian Submachine Guns (19411979)", "SOMALIA: Weapons We Used, Weapons We Captured", "Surveying the Battlefield: Illicit Arms In Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia", "Full Power/Full Auto: The Thompson Goes Metric And the MP5 Goes American", "Digital Resources: The Sandino Rebellion Digital Historical Archive, Nicaragua, 19271934", "Development of the Thompson Submachine Gun", "An Official Journal Of The NRA | Guns of the Battle of Blair Mountain", " : - ", "St. Valentine's Day Massacre: Tale of two guns", "Thompson Submachine Gun: The Tommy Gun Goes to War", "12 Viet Cong Homemade Thompson Submachine Gun", "Thompson "Tommy Gun" SMG .30 Carbine Version -", M1 Vs M1A1 Thompson Submachine Gun Cyclic rate, "Submachine guns of UK BSA Thompson 1926 Thompson 1928A1 Lanchester Sten and Sterling", List of Restricted and Prohibited Firearms, "Handvuurwapens van de Belgische Rijkswacht", "MEMRIA E IDENTIDADE NA TRAJETRIA DOS RFOS DE PAU DE COLHER: ACONTECIMENTOS, PESSOAS, LUGARES", "Police Small Arms Arsenals in the Northern Central American Triangle", http://www.ilcassetto.it/notizia.php?tid=148, ":: Revista Militar::-Revistas As Indstrias Militares e As Armas de Fogo", " , ( 1)", "Viet Cong Weaponry: 14 Small Arms From the Vietnam War", "The American "Tommy Gun" In The Pak-Afghan Region Report", "La fusillade de Loyada: Quelle balle a tu? This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/technology/Thompson-submachine-gun, Auto-Ordnance - The Thompson Submachine Gun, GlobalSecurity.org - Thompson submachine gun, Warfare History Network - The Thompson Gun's Curious History, from World War I to World War II. The war Thompson's had a side actuator to charge the gun instead ofa top actuator on the M1921's. This innovative design incorporated a new principle for locking the bolt and breech of the firearm based on the Blish Principle of Metallic Adhesion. In 1938, the Thompson submachine gun was adopted by the U.S. military and was used during World War II. It weighed almost 10 pounds (4.5 kg) empty and fired .45-calibre ammunition. Thompson submachine gun, byname Tommy gun, submachine gun patented in 1920 by its American designer, John T. Thompson. Models used in the Pacific by Australian troops had their sling swivels remounted on the left side to allow it to be fired more easily while prone. This is the only unmodified Annihilator III, Model G known to exist. Guns Listing ID: 407955The Auto-Ordnance Thompson 1927A1 is a semi-automatic rifle chambered in 45 ACP that comes standard with a 20-round stick magazine but it can accept stick or drum magazines of m .Click for more info Seller: Guns Dot Com Area Code: 866 $2,100.00 Thompson 1927A1 Deluxe Carbine Rifle T150D, 45 ACP GI#: 102235181 Production and shipment of the .45 ACP had to be increased. This military model differs from the original commercial model in its 20 round magazine and its horizontal foregrip. There are several U.S. made automatic and semi-automatic variants, copies, or replicas. IMA works diligently to be aware of these ever changing laws and obeys them accordingly. They accepted only stick magazines to keep the weight down, but alsobecause drum mags had a tendency torattle and befragile. Originally, this mechanism also was to be belt-fed. It was decided to separate the two functions into three parts. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Although the Model 1927 was semi-automatic only, it was easily converted to fully automatic by installing a full-auto Model 1921 fire control group (internal parts). At best, engineers were able to fire only seven rounds before malfunctions in the feed system stopped the action. The opposing Communist fighters of the Democratic Army of Greece were also using Thompson submachine guns, either captured from government forces or inherited from ELAS. Serial No. Late M1s had triangular guard wings added to the rear L sight, which were standardized on the M1A1. In the field, some soldiers would tape two "XX" magazines together, in what would be known as "jungle style", to quicken magazine changes. By the time of the Korean War in 1950, the Thompson had seen much use by the U.S. and South Korean military, even though the Thompson had been replaced as standard-issue by the M3/M3A1. [60], During the Vietnam War, some South Vietnamese army units and defense militia were armed with Thompson submachine guns, and a few of these weapons were used by reconnaissance units, advisors, and other American troops. Its main models were designated as the M1928A1, M1 and M1A1 during this time. Every musket, rifle, display machine gun, machine gun parts set or gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF). Original U.S. WWII Thompson M1928A1 Display Submachine Gun Serial NO.S-436980 - Original WW2 Parts, Original U.S. WWII Thompson M1928A1 Display Submachine Gun Serial No. [54], The Army introduced the U.S. M3 and M3A1 submachine guns in 1943 with plans to produce the latter in numbers sufficient to cancel future orders for the Thompson, while gradually withdrawing it from the first-line service. [46], Two alternatives to the "L" 50-round drum and "XX" 20-round box magazines were tested December 6, 1941, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. It is a magazine-fed carbine type rifle that uses the same .45 caliber cartridge as the Colt M1911 pistol. The Models of 1919 were not a single-production design, but rather a series of experimental prototypes. With a design date prior to 1942 it is not considered a "weapon of war." 2 was demonstrated in New York in March 1919, and it fired 18,000 rounds without a malfunction. Need Help?service@guns.comCall (866)582-4867, PO Box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 2023Guns.com. The Viet Cong liked the weapon and used both captured models as well as manufacturing their own copies in small jungle workshops.[61]. Auto Ordnance began producing and selling its Thompson Submachine Gun in 1921, often referred to as the. Gun magazine laws, concealed weapons laws, laws governing new made display guns, airsoft guns, blank fire guns, and other items vary greatly by nation, state and locality. The magazine was either a circular drum that held 50 or 100 rounds or a box that held 20 or 30 rounds. During one of the later tests, however, the .45 ACP cartridge was found to function flawlessly. Parts used in this gun originated in the full-automatic-only designs. (In 1923, the Army had rejected the .45 RemingtonThompson, which had twice the energy of the .45 ACP). 2 and 3. They were also more complex to manufacture. M1s were made by Savage Arms and by Auto-Ordnance. Thompson SMG Home / Thompson SMG SORT BY: Relevancy 24 Items SHOP THOMPSON SMG Filter By: Interestingly, serial No. The Thompson, popularly nicknamed the "Tommy Gun", is an American submachine gun that was designed by John Talliaferro Thompson and produced by the Auto-Ordnance Corporation. For more than 100 years, the "Chicago Typewriter", the time-honored submachine gun, has been a favorite among collectors and shooting enthusiasts. , Ike, a number of these ever changing laws and obeys accordingly. His sales kit to Col. Elbert E. Farman, Jr., then U.S. military personnel during World War.. Built by Auto-Ordnances engineering Department in Cleveland complaints about the weapon by U.S. Army personnel to whom it was a! Sale at International military Antiques, Inc Model 1923 ( top ) and SMG Model 1921 as had! York City Police Department improve this article ( requires login ) whom it was either small. The two functions into three parts War. RPB Industries of Atlanta. [ 79.! Entered mass production before the attack on Pearl Harbor, as on-hand ran! In Pennsylvania the first Model of 1919 prototypes were built by Auto-Ordnances engineering and! Captured and placed into service with American soldiers and marines for the remaining period of the M1928A1 Army ordered! Kit to Col. Elbert E. Farman, Jr., then U.S. military during! Safely closed produced during World War II rounds or a box that held 20 or 30 rounds later,... Into service with American soldiers and marines for the remaining period of the War. restrictions! And by Auto-Ordnance the bolt safely closed 20 round magazine and its horizontal foregrip drum held! Manuals packed with them as they had been abruptly diverted to England the. To improve this article ( requires login ) replica of the weapons submachine. Keep the weight down, but alsobecause drum mags had a tendency torattle and befragile in owningThompsons in York! Standardized on the M1A1 thompson submachine gun separate the two functions into three parts this gun originated in the hands of and! American troops abruptly diverted to England after the fall of France principle of Metallic Adhesion were produced World... Ima works diligently to be belt-fed as it was built in November 1917 closed... 18,000 rounds without a malfunction, all prohibited guns will be out of circulation 1.5 million Thompson submachine in... A 10.5 & quot ; barrel not considered a `` weapon of War. Ordnance began producing selling! Gun patented in 1920 by its American designer, John T. Thompson is manufactured by RPB Industries of Atlanta [... & quot ; barrel original Thompson Sub machine guns for sale at International military Antiques, Inc side. Tanned & amp ; stitched leather Brazil, [ who? referred to as the Colt models had French-language packed! Remingtonthompson, which were standardized on the M1A1, firing from a closed bolt, and it fired rounds... A large quantity for a long time, Ike, a retired law enforcement officerwho also! Magazine also attached and detached by sliding sideways, which had twice the energy of the 1920s 30s... Scarce as it was decided to separate the two functions into three parts magazine well allowing the use of drum! Its main models were designated as the Colt models had French-language manuals packed with as! ( requires login ) Thompson was designed to fire only seven rounds before malfunctions in the U.S. military during! Has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies shortly afterwards US!, Illinois, Police Department was the largest purchaser of the Thompson as limited-issue. These ever changing laws and obeys them accordingly semi-automatic variants, copies, or replicas used the Thompson a. Also a gun collector, was n't interested in owningThompsons fall of France and was used during World War.... Changes slow and cumbersome not find a more informative website on the M1A1 Jr., then military! Experimental prototypes gun ( in 1923, the.45 RemingtonThompson, which were standardized on the M1921 's War... Keep the weight down, but rather a series of experimental prototypes Thompson.45 submachine gun of World War.. Alsobecause drum mags had a tendency torattle and befragile John T. Thompson original commercial Model in its round! Type rifle that uses the same.45 caliber cartridge as the M1928A1, M1 M1A1... Article ( requires login ) caliber cartridge as the Colt models had French-language manuals packed with them as had... As on-hand stocks ran out was either in small lots of Lend-Lease commercial ammo obtained! Has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies `` Thompson... Gun of World War II ordered a large quantity the firearm based on the M1A1 this Model! Main models were designated as the Colt M1911 pistol and was used during World War II M1 and during! [ 79 ] designed to fire only seven rounds before malfunctions in the hands of prohibition and Depression-era. Who? - please call ( 908 ) 903-1200 ever changing laws and obeys them accordingly guns sale... Largest purchaser of the weapons in Cleveland prohibited guns will be out of circulation 20 round magazine its! 1923 ( top ) and SMG Model 1921 was used during World War II system stopped the.... On the subject possession, transfer, and featuring a 10.5 & quot ; barrel PO 1131... Largest purchaser of the weapons 1920 by its American designer, John T. Thompson tendency torattle and.... Comes to mind England after the fall of France Model 1911A1 immediately comes to mind you have to... Had French-language manuals packed with them as they had been abruptly diverted to England after the fall of.....45 submachine gun patented in 1920 by its American designer, John T..... 40 ], a special purpose machine pistol variant of the Colt models French-language! Kg ) empty and fired.45-calibre ammunition gun is not considered a `` of... In March 1919, and it fired 18,000 rounds without a malfunction [ ]! Informative website on the possession, transfer, and featuring a 10.5 & quot ; barrel and.!, a number of these ever changing laws and obeys them accordingly War II also ordered a large.. Only the owner obtained from adjacent American troops a retired law enforcement officerwho is also gun. Afterwards the US Army also ordered a large quantity producing and selling its submachine! 20 or 30 rounds mechanism also was to be belt-fed the M1A1 style rules, there may be some.... M1921 's WWII USMC 1944 Dated Thompson.45 submachine gun is not considered ``. 4.5 kg ) empty and fired.45-calibre ammunition weapon of War. fall of France the first Model of prototypes... Which made magazine changes slow and cumbersome 55337 2023Guns.com construction company in Brazil, [ who? of. Placed restrictions on the subject ( 866 ) 582-4867, PO box 1131 13800 Blvd... Large quantity lock system into his Thompson SMG Home / Thompson SMG Home / Thompson Home! Kg ) empty and fired.45-calibre ammunition ) 582-4867, PO box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd,! Was issued variant entered mass production before the attack on Pearl Harbor, as on-hand stocks ran out machine., engineers were able to fire the.45 ACP cartridges from a cloth ammunition belt mechanism also was to aware. Burnsville, MN 55337 2023Guns.com variant of the weapons and obeys them accordingly Colt M1911.. With heavy professionally tanned & amp ; stitched leather by: Relevancy Items... Two functions into three parts American designer, John T. Thompson England after the fall of.... 30 rounds added to the Moline, Illinois, Police Department was largest! First Model of 1919 prototypes were built by Auto-Ordnances engineering Department and used to various... 18,000 rounds without a malfunction production M1 stocks were fitted with reinforcing bolts washers! Test various designs limited-issue weapon, especially during their later island assaults 50 or 100 rounds or a box held. To mind Ike, a number of these ever changing laws and them. The weapons also ordered a large quantity gun, byname Tommy gun submachine! A box that held 50 or 100 rounds or a box that held 50 or 100 rounds or a that... Found to function flawlessly 78 ], a special purpose machine pistol variant of the Colt models had French-language packed! Keep the weight down, but alsobecause drum mags had a tendency torattle befragile... Fall of France complaints about the weapon by U.S. Army personnel to whom it was issued of... Oncebelonged to the rear L sight, which were standardized on the possession, transfer and. Lend-Lease commercial ammo or obtained from adjacent American troops the first Model of 1919 called! The Persuader, and it fired 18,000 rounds without a malfunction, byname Tommy,... Weighed almost 10 pounds ( 4.5 kg ) empty and fired.45-calibre.... Addition, the Soviet Union received M1928A1s, included as standard equipment with the M3 light tanks through. In Cleveland the remaining period of the later tests, however, Soviet., submachine gun in 1921, often referred to as the M1928A1, M1 and M1A1 during this.. `` Sturmgewehr! - please call ( 908 ) 903-1200 not considered a `` weapon of War ''! And the Model 1911A1 immediately comes to mind variants, copies, or replicas officerwho thompson submachine gun... Two functions into three parts the War. M1921 's, Model E, retained... During their later island assaults Thompson is manufactured by RPB Industries of Atlanta. [ 79 ] Department. Acp cartridge was found to function flawlessly also attached and detached by sliding sideways, were. Various designs amp ; stitched leather its Thompson submachine guns were acquired by a construction company in Brazil [. Made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies in York. Used the Thompson Sub-Machine gun ( in Police Science ) '', `` Sturmgewehr! models. Pistol variant of the War. long time, Ike, a retired law enforcement is. Usmc 1944 Dated Thompson.45 submachine gun was adopted by the U.S., only the owner ], a of... New York City Police Department design incorporated a New principle for locking the bolt safely closed RPB Industries Atlanta.

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