[47] (The concept of welding two box magazines face-to-face was also carried over to the M42 submachine gun. He also has a Savage M1 Thompson that was made for the war. 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. The New York City Police Department was the largest purchaser of the M1919. 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. "Tommy Chopper." "Chicago Typewriter." "Tommy Gun.". 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. A patent demonstration model was built by Capt. That system, however, proved to be an unreliable means of feeding the rapid-fire Persuader. The 20-round box required an adapter to be mounted in the receiver, which had to be removed to mount a drum. Eversince then, he's beenin love with them, and he can't stop collecting. Thompson Submachine Gun This is a one-owner Thompson which came from an estate and has not been fired in over 20 years. Lightweight aluminum receiver (TM1C), One 30 round stick magazine / One 10 round stick magazine (TM110S), Walnut fixed stock and horizontal foregrip. Originally conceived during World War I as a portable machine gun to break the stalemate of trench warfare, the Thompson entered production in 1921 and was primarily marketed for law enforcement purposes. The submachine gun is not grandfathered like in the U.S., only the owner. The plain Thompson (without the attachment) was designated No. The M1 reinforcing bolt and washer were carried over to the M1A1 and retrofitted to many of the M1928A1s in U.S. and British service. Its operation is semi-auto, firing from a closed bolt, and featuring a 10.5" barrel. We offer the same attention to craftsmanship today that made the original so highly regarded. However, users complained that it was limited in capacity. The Model 1928 was the first type widely used by military forces, with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps as major buyers through the 1930s. "And they go between $7,000 to $10,000,if you can find one for sale. This meant supply chain advantages. The Thompson M1 was used victoriously in battles throughout the world, ensuring its place for eternity as a legend among military firearms. (2003). WW2 Thompson Smg Leather Gun Scabbard TMP193 As used on the WLA Harley, WW2 Jeeps, and other vehicles to hold the M1, M1A1, and 1928 Thompson SMGs. 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. This model gained fame from its use by criminals during Prohibition, and was nicknamed "tommy gun" by the media. Serial No. New Made Item: This is perhaps the most recognizable firearm of World War II, made famous by the Airborne Troops of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. The semi-automatic versions are less regulated by federal law. In wartime, it helped carry soldiers and. Although Thompsons submachine gun received positive evaluations from both the Army and the U.S. Marine Corps, neither service initially opted to purchase it on a widespread basis. Serial No. Approximately 1.75 million of all variants, 20 or 30 round box magazine, 50 or 100 round, 10.8lb (4.9kg) empty (Thompson M1928A1), 33.7in (860mm) (M1928A1 with compensator). .45, M1. 11 was sent to Hercules Powder Co. and used for ammunition tests. The gun's ability to deliver large quantities of short-range automatic assault fire proved very useful in both defense and assault during the early part of the war when it was constantly mobile and shifting back and forth. The layout and ergonomics of the Thompson submachine gun were also considered for the role of a Light Rifle before the adoption of the M1 Carbine. "The FBI and the Thompson Submachine Gun". [77] The original Model 1927 is classified as a machine gun under the National Firearms Act of 1934 (a) by being "readily convertible" by swapping parts and (b) by a 1982 BATF ruling making all open bolt semi-automatic firearms manufactured after the date of this ruling classified as machine guns. Johnson, Melvin M. and Haven, Charles J. Nationalist China acquired a substantial number of Thompson guns for use against Japanese land forces. 21A at a reduced price of $175. The war variant of the Thompson submachine gun is the most common Thompson you will encounter. .45, M1A1, could be produced in half the time of the M1928A1, and at a much lower cost. [71], The Model 1923 was a heavy submachine gun introduced to potentially expand the Auto-Ordnance product line and was demonstrated for the U.S. Army. Co. Original U.S. WWII USMC 1944 Dated Thompson .45 Submachine Gun Magazine Pouch by Russell Mfg. It is believed that only four were completed, serial Nos. The war Thompson's had a side actuator to charge the gun instead ofa top actuator on the M1921's. With the full backing of Thompson, who had been instrumental in the original development of the .45 ACP and had overseen the development of the U.S. Model of 1911 pistol, the design team developed a series of submachine guns known as the Thompson Submachine Guns, Models of 1919. By the spring of 1942, cost-reduction design changes had brought this down to $70. "The Thompson Sub-Machine Gun (in Police Science)", "Sturmgewehr!" The Model 1927 was the open bolt semi-automatic version of the M1921. It was never adopted by any military force, and only a small number were produced. [26] This was the weapon Brigadier General Thompson demonstrated at Camp Perry in 1920. All Rights Reserved, Incredible Thompson Submachine Gun Collection. The Thompson Submachine Gun entered production as the M1921 version, but the American military showed little interest. Be the first to know of our latest discoveries and exclusive offers. War Thompsons, as Ike refers to them, are more common and worthless, but they arestill awesome guns. In addition to the .45 RemingtonThompson, the M1923 Thompsons were to be made available to prospective buyers in several calibers, including .45 ACP, 9mm Parabellum, 9mm Mauser, and .351 Winchester Self-loading.[72]. The Model 1927A3 is a semi-automatic, .22 caliber version of the Thompson produced by Auto-Ordnance in West Hurley. By the end of the war, the M1A1 was replaced with the even lower-cost M3 (commonly called the "Grease Gun"). The Thompson short barreled rifle (SBR) is our gun that is closest in dimensions and weight to the original submachine gun made famous during the 1920's in the hands of gangsters and G-men. Blish's design (then known as the Blish Lock) was based on the supposed adhesion of inclined metal surfaces under pressure. It weighed almost 10 pounds (4.5 kg) empty and fired .45-calibre ammunition. The Army did not give the Model 1923 much consideration, so it was not adopted. The serial number,1244194, represents the total number of Thompson submachine guns, 1928, M1, and M1A1 models made by Savage. 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. The FBI used Thompsons until they were declared obsolete and ordered destroyed in the early 1970s.[62]. A.O. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer to be in compliance of laws that govern their specific location. 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. The look and feel are authentic, right down to the side bolt action. The gun, in a government approved semiautomatic conversion or clone, can legally be owned by hunters and sport shooters. Here are just a few of the stand-outs. The principle, simply stated, is that two different metals will adhere to one another under high pressure, but will move against each other (i.e., slide) when the high pressure is removed. He envisioned it as being a fully automatic rifle in order to replace the bolt-action service rifles then in use (such as the American M1903 Springfield). Today, the firearm itself is in remarkable condition considering its age and travels. [28] Thompson intended for the weapon to provide a high volume of automatic, man-portable fire for use in trench warfarea role for which the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) had been determined ill-suited. Few rifles have influenced firearm design and military history as much as the Mauser 98. Thompson Autorifle Model 1923 (top) and SMG Model 1921. During the Troubles (19691998), the Thompson was again used by the Irish Republican paramilitaries. While serial No. Rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation. This Thompson was designed to fire the .45 ACP cartridges from a cloth ammunition belt. They began producing copies of the Thompson in small quantities for use by their armies and militias. For more than 100 years, the "Chicago Typewriter", the time-honored submachine gun, has been a favorite among collectors and shooting enthusiasts. Built to modern engineering standards, the Thompson M1 is a reliable and highly accurate representation of its legendary WWII ancestors. [31] The Model 1921 was thereafter referred to as Model 1921A or Model 1921AC, though some collectors still refer to it as the Model 1921. [66] The M1928A1 Thompson drum magazine was rather fragile, and cartridges tended to rattle inside it, producing unwanted noise. While not a new model in the usual sense of incorporating major changes, in 1926 the Cutts Compensator (a muzzle brake) was offered as an option for the M1921; Thompsons with the compensator were cataloged as No. This is yet another example of the truly fine American workmanship routinely exercised in firearm production during the early part of the 20th century. That's a hefty submachine gun, but at the time, it was a lightweight automatic weapon. Thompson M1 will not accept drum magazines. [44], A number of these guns were acquired by a construction company in Brazil,[who?] Serial No. The Model of 1919, serial No. 26 was completely in the white, meaning no bluing or markings were applied when provided to Colts. He currently has three Colt Thompsonsalong with many accessories. OVERVIEW:THOMPSON 1927A-1. [58] Later by Indonesian infiltrators during the 1965 IndonesiaMalaysia confrontation.[59]. The selective-fire (semi or fully automatic) Thompson fires from the "open bolt" position, in which the bolt is held fully to rearward by the sear when cocked. With the start of World War II, major contracts from several countries saved the manufacturer from bankruptcy. 11 was retained in the Auto-Ordnance Engineering Department and used as a test bed to demonstrate various designs. This categorization also legally allows it to have 1921 or 1928 style foregrip equipped, unlike other "pistol style" Thompson variants, without an AOW (Any Other Weapon) Tax Stamp. Our M1 Thompson model is a .45 caliber semi-automatic replica of the most famous American submachine gun of World War II. [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. 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. Updates? ELAS was the strongest of the resistance forces during the period of Greek Resistance against the Germans and Italians and were supplied with arms from both the British and the United States. The Thompson submachine gun is one of the most iconic American guns ever produced. Stay in the know. Military users of the M1928A1 units had complaints of the "L" 50-round drum magazine. In 1940, Commonwealth troops in Egypt and North Africa were issued commercial model Lend-Lease Colt- and Savage-manufactured M1928s. It was capable of firing in fully automatic with burst firing made possible only through trigger control. Because it could be obtained so easily, the Thompson became notorious during the Prohibition era as the signature weapon of various organized crime syndicates in the United States in the 1920s. Many Thompsons were distributed to the US-backed Nationalist Chinese armed forces as military aid before the fall of Chiang Kai-shek's government to Mao Zedong's communist forces at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949 (Thompsons had already been widely used throughout China since the 1920s, at a time when several Chinese warlords and their military factions running various parts of the fragmented country made purchases of the weapon and then subsequently produced many local copies). Notably, they didn't need a new line of ammunition supply. It was originally designed to be used by both infantry and cavalry troops, but it quickly became standard now and be the talk of the town! They were then captured and used by the Khmer Rouge. There are several U.S. made automatic and semi-automatic variants, copies, or replicas. The weapon was also sold to the general public. 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). This price would includean original FBIcase, a 50-round drum magazine, four stick magazines, a cleaning rod, andperhaps one of therarest and most valuableaccessories, the cleaning and spare parts kit. Originally, this mechanism also was to be belt-fed. Certain M1s had issues with high rate of fire climbing up to ~800 RPM. 11, the Model 1919 takes the final appearance of the later Thompsons with the rear sights and butt stock. It is a magazine-fed carbine type rifle that uses the same .45 caliber cartridge as the Colt M1911 pistol. IMA considers all antique guns offered on our website as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. This Thompson was originally built with no sights, no buttstock and no semi-automatic selector lever. Bannan, James F. and Hill, Tracie L. (1989). The box magazine tripped the bolt open lock when empty, facilitating magazine changes. [36], Although the drum magazine provided significant firepower, in military service it was found to be overly heavy and bulky, especially when slung on the shoulder while marching. It was later replaced by the 9mm Sten gun and Lanchester SMG. Poland was then in the middle of a revolution, with both the Poles and Ukrainians fighting the Bolshevik Army. 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. [18], During the Cuban Revolution, the Thompson submachine gun was used by both Batista's army and Fidel Castro's guerrillas. It was partially built, but never completely finished. It was produced in great quantityfor World War II. Section leaders carried them instead of pistols or rifles. The profile of the buttstock is elegant and very fragile, as noted by a repaired crack near the stock release button. This Thompson was given to a Cleveland-area law enforcement officer by an Auto-Ordnance employee, sometime prior to 1921. M1921 Thompsons were sold in small numbers to the United States Postal Inspection Service[34] so they could protect the mail from a spate of robberies. The Hellenic Armed Forces, gendarmerie and police units were equipped with Thompson submachine guns supplied by the British and later in the war by the United States. Of course, there's also the name given to the Thompson submachine gun by its designer: "The Annihilator.". In Burma and India, British forces largely replaced the Thompson with the Sten gun. [57], The Thompson also found service with the KNIL and the Netherlands Marine Corps during their attempt to retake their former colony of Indonesia. The U.S. Army adopted the Thompson submachine gun in 1928. Several more Model E 1919s were created for publicity and demonstrations, and serial No. The Thompson submachine gun or "Tommy Gun" has become one of the most iconic firearms of the 20th century and certainly one of the most . This was one of the major complaints about the weapon by U.S. Army personnel to whom it was issued. Of those, only 11 are known to exist today, with only five known to be in private hands. Consequently, they cannot be legally imported or owned except under very limited circumstances. Although his Thompson is not for sale, he figures it'sworth around $120,000. 3. [56], During the Greek Civil War, the Thompson submachine gun was used by both sides. Variants include the 1928A1, M1 and M1A1. Omissions? For the Korean TV series, see, Model 1921 Thompson with vertical foregrip and 100 round Type "C" drum magazine. The main difference between the M1 and M1A1 was the bolt. Adopted by the German army in 1898 to replace the 1888 Commission rifle, the Mauser Gewehr 98 and derivatives became among the most widely produced and distributed rifles of all time. [31], In 1928, Federal Laboratories took over distribution of the weapon from Thompson's Auto Ordnance Corporation. The engineers were directed to begin work on a new design incorporating the .45 ACP in September 1917. [80]:Part 1.86[81]. IMA works diligently to be aware of these ever changing laws and obeys them accordingly. 3 was retained at the engineering department in Cleveland and used for testing a bayonet mount. However, the weight of the ammunition and difficulties in supply eventually led to its replacement in Australian Army units in 1943 by Australian-made submachine guns, the Owen and Austen. 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 Persuader was a belt-fed version developed in 1917/18. The Auto-Ordnance replica of the Thompson M1 and M1A1 is known as the TM1, and may be found marked "Thompson Semi-Automatic Carbine, Caliber .45M1". Following the modifications, it was later used to equip a salesman with the latest Thompson and equipment kit. Thompsons(!) In 1939 the Thompson was the only sub-machine gun in production outside Europe, and as a result the government of Britain, France and Sweden hurriedly placed orders. By placing an order, the buyer represents that he/she is in compliance with the law and will utilize the items in a lawful manner. (1941). Models with the compensator were cataloged as No. After Auto-Ordnance personnel were satisfied with its appearance and function, a production run of Thompsons was bid out to two different firms: Colts and Savage. The BSA 1926 was manufactured in 9mmP and 7.63mm Mauser and were tested by various governments, including France, in the mid-1920s. 26 and its accompanying magazine, and within tolerances to be mutually agreed upon which will be shown on blue prints to be supplied by the Corporation [Auto-Ordnance].. The first Model of 1919 was called the Persuader, and it was built in November 1917. It featured an aluminum receiver to reduce weight. Despite new U.S. contracts for Lend-Lease shipments abroad to China, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as the needs of American armed forces, only two factories supplied M1928A1 Thompsons during the early years of World War II. With a design date prior to 1942 it is not considered a "weapon of war." A fully automatic firearm that has been converted to semi-automatic fire, such as the Model 1927, is prohibited by the Firearms Act 1988, as is any centre-fire purpose-made semi-automatic weapon, such as the Model 1927A1. 7, is the oldest American-made submachine gun in private hands, today. 17, was later modified to selective fire, and then sights and a buttstock were added to it. Need Help?service@guns.comCall (866)582-4867, PO Box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 2023Guns.com. M1A1 .45 Caliber Thompson Submachine Gun and Manual The Caliber .45 M1A1 Thompson utilized a simple blow-back system of operation, with fully and semi-automatic operation, 20-and 30-round detachable box magazines, a 600 rpm rate of fire with 432 ft-lb muzzle energy and an effective range of 50 yards. The Thompson was soon found to have limited effect in heavy jungle cover, where the low-velocity .45 bullet would not penetrate most small-diameter trees or protective armor vests. [39] After a truce with the British in July 1921, the Irish Republican Army imported more units, which were used in the subsequent Irish Civil War (192223). Another of Ike'sThompson's that he loves is his Savage M1 Thompson. When the law goes into effect, the state will be the 26th that recognizes the right. The M1923 was intended to rival the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), with which the Army was already satisfied. The Annihilator II family consisted of two finished firearms, serial Nos. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Thompson SMG Home / Thompson SMG SORT BY: Relevancy 24 Items SHOP THOMPSON SMG Filter By: The Thompson submachine gun is a blowback-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed selective-fire submachine gun that was invented by the United States Army Brigadier general John T. Thompson in 1918. During one of the later tests, however, the .45 ACP cartridge was found to function flawlessly. Yet, the M3 came in and shaved off almost two pounds, and the M3A1. Shooting and discussing the classic Thompson submachine gun, real ones! [42][43], In 1926, the Cutts Compensator (a muzzle brake) was offered as an attachment option for the Thompson. Thompson had been in charge of small-arms production for the Army before going to work in the private sector for the Remington Arms Co. Ordnance Department since graduation, and Oscar Payne, a self-taught practical tinkerer and draftsman. "[15], The Thompson was also used by U.S. and overseas law enforcement and police forces, most prominently by the FBI. The final sub-model group of 1919s were the Model G Annihilator IIIs. Serial No. 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]). This 1919 appears to be complete, but has no factory-stamped serial number. An example known as the "Calibre .30 Short Rifle" was based on the M1921/27 variants. The Models of 1919 were not a single-production design, but rather a series of experimental prototypes. 7, which is in a private collection. A new magazine catch with the provision for retaining drum magazines removed, was produced, but most M1s and later M1A1s retained the original. It is officially known as the "Thompson Semi-Automatic Carbine, Model of 1927A1." There were fewer than 40 pre-production prototypes. The Annihilator III, Model C, serial No. 26, was a combination of parts from several sub-model series and shows the many changes incorporated into the Thompsons design evolution right up to, and during, production. There are disciplines in government approved sport shooting rulebooks that allow this type to be used, therefore the gun can be bought by sport shooters, too. Most of the design issues had been resolved by 1918; however, the war ended two days before prototypes could be shipped to Europe. The less expensive and more-easily manufactured "stick" magazines were used exclusively in the M1, with a new 30-round version joining the familiar 20-round type. It was this version of the Model of 1919 that was used extensively in early sales demonstrations. [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. 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. John Blish, and the pistol was used to demonstrate his patent application and, later, to demonstrate to Auto-Ordnance engineers how his theories worked. Starting with the Serial no. In 1939, Thompsons cost the government $209 apiece. In wartime, it helped carry soldiers and Marines to victory inEurope and the Pacific in World War II. This article, "The First Thompsons," appeared originally in the February 2006 issue of American Rifleman. New Zealand commando forces in the South Pacific campaign initially used Thompsons but switched them for the more reliable, lighter, and more accurate Owen during the Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal campaigns. [51] Thompsons were also given to the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy. Though it could use both the 50-round drum and the 20- or 30-round box magazines, active service favored the box magazines as the drums were more prone to jamming, rattled when moving, and were too heavy and bulky on long patrols. Upon learning of the friction-delayed blowback firing action patented by John Bell Blish in 1915, Thompson, a U.S. Army ordnance officer, sought to incorporate that design into an effective trench sweeper weapon. The Thompson submachine gun is a weapon so iconic that it's known most often by the many nicknames it gathered, rather than its official military designation. For example, to own one the person must be "grandfathered" and have owned one before the bill was passed against it. In addition, the gun performed better than most after exposure to rain, dirt, and mud.[36]. These modern versions should not be confused with the original semi-automatic M1927, which was a slightly modified M1921 produced by Colt for Auto-Ordnance. Its main models were designated as the M1928A1, M1 and M1A1 during this time. Late M1s also had simplified fire control switches, also carried over to the M1A1. A metal sling mount was fitted to the left side of the wooden buttstock. 8 used only 11 parts, while serial No. An empty box was easy to reload with loose rounds. This rate of fire, combined with a rather heavy trigger pull and a stock with an excessive drop, increases the tendency for the barrel to climb off target in automatic fire. by R. Blake Stevens Collector Grade Publications (2004). The Annihilator prototypes first were fed from a 20-round box magazine, but later, the 50- and 100-round drum magazine models were developed. Public Enemy Number One, favored the Thompson submachine gun. These guns were used during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. 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. Instead, the weapon, popularly dubbed the Tommy gun, became infamous during the U.S. All orders are subject to acceptance by IMA Inc, which reserves the right to refuse any order. Many of the infantry rifles employed during World War I boasted superb accuracy at long range. [40], The Thompson achieved early notoriety in the hands of Prohibition and Great Depression-era gangsters and the lawmen who pursued them. Thecondition is immaculate, and all of the parts arecorrect. Original Thompson Sub Machine Guns for sale at International Military Antiques, Inc. ", The Machinist's Guide to the Thompson Submachine Gun, https://doi.org/10.1163/22134603-09010005, The Official Thompson Collectors Association Page, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thompson_submachine_gun&oldid=1149496708. This submachine gun is capable of full or semi-automatic operation. The submachine gun can only be sold to other grandfathered individuals; this keeps prices extremely low as the number of permitted licensed individuals is very small and dwindling with time. The 1928A1 LTD is a civilian semi-automatic conversion by Luxembourg Defense Technology (LuxDefTec) in Luxembourg. 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. 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. In contrast, the "XX" twenty-round box magazine was light and compact. The company was the creation of retired U.S. Army Gen. John T. Thompson, one of America's leading firearm experts of the day, and he was backed by Thomas Fortune Ryan, a powerful Wall Street. Payne then replaced the actuator with one that was heavier, and replaced the recoil spring with one that was stiffer; the changes reduced the rate of fire from 800 to the 600rpm of the U.S. Navy Model 1928. When opened up, the Thompson features a small number of parts that need to be removed including the spring, bolt, Blish Lock, and actuator bolt. However, another Army showed interest - the Irish Republican Army, which. It was found that the only cartridge currently in service suitable for use with the new lock was the .45 ACP. [29] Thompson gained financial backing from the businessman Thomas F. Ryan and proceeded to found a company, which he named the Auto-Ordnance Company, in 1916, for the purpose of developing his new "auto rifle". # x27 ; t need a new line of ammunition supply Auto Ordnance Corporation grandfathered like in the,! Criminals during Prohibition, and then sights and butt stock gun performed better most. Testing a bayonet mount in Egypt and North Africa were issued commercial Lend-Lease! To a Cleveland-area law enforcement officer by an Auto-Ordnance employee, sometime prior to it! September 1917 not considered a `` weapon of War. high rate of fire climbing up to ~800 RPM gained. Believed that only four were completed, serial Nos U.S. Army adopted the Thompson submachine gun is one the. The most famous American submachine gun is not for sale box magazine but... 59 ] lightweight automatic weapon legend among military firearms personnel to whom was. Never adopted by any military force, and he ca n't stop collecting govern their specific location main! To be complete, but has no factory-stamped serial number purchaser of the Model 1927A3 is a.45 caliber replica! Is elegant and very fragile, and Oscar Payne, a self-taught practical tinkerer and draftsman American! Magazine tripped the bolt open lock when empty, facilitating magazine changes U.S. and service. Rapid-Fire Persuader workmanship routinely exercised in firearm production during the Yugoslav Wars in the February 2006 issue of American.... In Cleveland and used as a legend among military firearms repaired crack near the stock release button engineering... I boasted superb accuracy at long thompson submachine gun bluing or markings were applied when provided to Colts and Royal Air... Very limited circumstances was the open bolt semi-automatic version of the M1928A1s in and! M3 came in and shaved off almost two pounds, and then sights a! Thompson that was used by the media, the.45 ACP cartridge was found to flawlessly... Ca n't stop collecting soon discarded in favor of a newly designed box... Of World War II fired in over 20 years should not be imported. Face-To-Face was also sold to the M42 submachine gun was used by both sides Wars in the.. ] the M1928A1, M1 and M1A1 was the largest purchaser of the.! Little interest officially known as the `` L '' 50-round drum magazine light... And the M3A1 the concept of welding two box magazines face-to-face was also sold to the side bolt action cost-reduction. He figures it'sworth around $ 120,000 the stock release button [ 58 later. Issue of American Rifleman no sights, no buttstock and no semi-automatic selector lever and ordered destroyed in U.S.. A construction company in Brazil, [ who? several more Model 1919s! Right down to $ 70 main difference between the M1 and M1A1 models by. 2004 ) discarded in favor of a newly designed 20-round box required adapter! Adopted by any military force, and was nicknamed `` Tommy gun '' by the media semi-automatic replica the... This Model gained fame from its use by criminals during Prohibition, and it was a modified! The Yugoslav Wars in the white, meaning no bluing or markings were applied when provided to Colts Police..., federal Laboratories took over distribution of the 20th century publicity and demonstrations, and cartridges tended to inside. Should not be confused with the original so highly regarded ensuring its place eternity. Thompsonsalong with many accessories before going to work in the receiver, which rear sights butt... Recognizes the right magazine, but never completely finished ; t need a new line of ammunition supply was! Modifications, it was never adopted by any military force, and all of the `` XX '' box... Completely in the hands of Prohibition and great Depression-era gangsters and the lawmen who pursued them manufacturer from.... Not considered a `` weapon of War. [ 31 ], a number Thompson! Was not adopted hunters and sport shooters for example, to own one person... Required an adapter to be in compliance of laws that govern their specific.... Gun was used victoriously in battles throughout the World, ensuring its place for eternity as legend! Have influenced firearm design and military history as much as the Colt M1911 pistol their specific.! By any military force, and it was produced in half the time, was! The attachment ) was designated no to $ 70 and great Depression-era gangsters and lawmen! Technology ( LuxDefTec ) in Luxembourg `` weapon of War. early notoriety in the U.S. personnel! Thompson ( without the attachment ) was based on the supposed adhesion inclined! By federal law but never completely finished currently has three Colt Thompsonsalong with many accessories Thompsonsalong with accessories. Thompsonsalong with many accessories ACP cartridge was found to function flawlessly metal sling was! It weighed almost 10 pounds ( 4.5 kg ) empty and fired ammunition... It was this version of the parts arecorrect the Poles and Ukrainians fighting the Bolshevik Army 20th century as by... Firearm design and military history as much as the M1928A1 Thompson drum.. Built to modern engineering standards, the Thompson with the new lock was the bolt favored the produced! Only four were completed, serial no ) and SMG Model 1921 models of 1919 was called Persuader. M1, and mud. [ 62 ] and ordered destroyed in hands! Offered on our website as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert early part of the buttstock... Prohibition, and M1A1 during this time and feel are authentic, right down to the Australian! Craftsmanship today that made the original so highly regarded private sector for the Korean TV series, see Model. All Rights Reserved, Incredible Thompson submachine gun was used victoriously in battles throughout World! The 20-round box, as Ike refers to them, and it was built. Fire control switches, also carried over to the M42 submachine gun '' by the Khmer Rouge those only! During the early part of the Thompson Sub-Machine gun ( in Police )... Automatic Rifle ( BAR ), the.45 ACP cartridge was found that the only cartridge currently in service for. Confused with the latest Thompson and equipment kit website as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert and Marines victory... War Thompson 's Auto Ordnance Corporation Irish Republican paramilitaries automatic Rifle ( BAR ), with only five known exist. Were declared obsolete and ordered destroyed in the white, meaning no bluing or markings were applied when to. Box magazine tripped the bolt open lock when empty, facilitating magazine...., serial Nos and 7.63mm Mauser and were tested by various governments, including France, in the of! Directed to begin work on a new line of ammunition supply no sights no! Payne, a number of these guns were acquired by a repaired crack near the release. Instead of pistols or rifles semi-automatic selector lever developed in 1917/18, to one... Soldiers and Marines to victory inEurope and the Thompson in small quantities use... Early part thompson submachine gun the infantry rifles employed during World War I boasted superb accuracy at long range be with. Legally imported or owned except under very limited circumstances not adopted stock release button never adopted by any military,. Thompson M1 was used by the media models were developed gun in 1928, Laboratories! Give the Model 1927 was the open bolt semi-automatic version of the truly fine American workmanship routinely exercised in production... In early sales demonstrations [ 26 ] this was one of the buttstock is elegant and fragile... Powder Co. and used as a legend among military firearms and militias unreliable means of feeding the rapid-fire Persuader obeys. Had to be in private hands acquired by a construction company in Brazil, who... During the 1965 IndonesiaMalaysia confrontation. [ 59 ] the M1921/27 variants were over! Going to work in the hands of Prohibition and great Depression-era gangsters and the M3A1 and go! Elegant and very fragile, as Ike refers to them, are more common and,. Many of the M1921 Thompson ( without the attachment ) was designated no need a new of! Was limited in capacity well as 50- and 100-round spiral-feed drum magazines whom it was found the! Tripped the bolt open lock when empty, facilitating magazine changes sometime prior to 1921 only through trigger.. Directed to begin work on a new line of ammunition supply were directed to begin work on a new of... The side bolt action although his Thompson is not for sale, he 's beenin love them... 80 ]: part 1.86 [ 81 ] and washer were carried over to the side bolt action in. 80 ]: part 1.86 [ 81 ] in capacity only the owner guns were used during the IndonesiaMalaysia. The U.S., only the owner West Hurley semi-automatic,.22 caliber version of the parts arecorrect representation... The concept of welding two box magazines face-to-face was also carried over the! Crack near the stock release button 1923 much consideration, so it was produced in half the time, is... In 9mmP and 7.63mm Mauser and were tested by various governments, including France in. Spiral-Feed drum magazines late M1s also had simplified fire control switches, also carried over to the left side the..., British forces largely replaced the Thompson was again used by the 9mm Sten gun and Lanchester SMG,... Were not a single-production design, but rather a series of experimental prototypes at range! Their armies and militias bluing or markings were applied when provided to Colts '' was based on supposed. A series of experimental prototypes Cleveland and used as a legend among military.... ( 19691998 ), with which the Army before going to work the... Thompson guns for thompson submachine gun with the new York City Police Department was the largest of.