Thompson submachine gun

Thompson submachine gun
Hmaag · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Thompson submachine gun
Caption	A Thompson M1928 with a 50-round drum magazine.
Origin	United States
Type	Submachine gun
Designer	John T. Thompson
Design date	1917–1919
Service	1938–present (limited)
Used by	See #Operational use
Wars	Irish Civil War, World War II, Korean War, First Indochina War, Vietnam War
Manufacturer	Auto-Ordnance Company
Production date	1921–1945
Number	~1.75 million
Weight	10 lb empty (M1928A1)
Length	33.7 in (M1928A1)
Cartridge	.45 ACP
Action	Blowback, Blish lock
Rate of fire	~700 rounds/min (M1928)
Muzzle velocity	935 ft/s
Effective firing range	50 yd
Feed	20- or 30-round box magazine, 50- or 100-round drum
Sights	Fixed blade front, adjustable leaf rear

Thompson submachine gun. The Thompson is an American submachine gun invented by John T. Thompson in 1919 and produced by the Auto-Ordnance Company. Famously known as the "Tommy Gun," it became an iconic weapon of the interwar period, used by both law enforcement and organized crime, before seeing extensive service with Allied forces during World War II. Its distinctive appearance and association with key historical events have cemented its place in both military history and popular culture.

History

The development was initiated by John T. Thompson shortly after his retirement from the United States Army, aiming to create a "trench broom" for use in the close-quarters combat of World War I. The Auto-Ordnance Company, founded by Thompson, finalized the design as the "Annihilator I" just as the Armistice of 11 November 1918 ended the war, rendering the initial military application moot. The first production model, the M1921, was marketed unsuccessfully to various militaries, including the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army, but found early purchasers in the Irish Republican Army during the Irish Civil War and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Sales were significantly boosted by its notorious adoption by gangsters during the Prohibition era, a period marked by violence like the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago. The outbreak of World War II finally prompted large-scale military orders from the United States Department of War, United Kingdom, and France, leading to simplified models for mass production.

Design and features

The early models operated using a delayed blowback system known as the Blish lock, a unique feature intended to slow bolt opening, though its necessity was later debated. It was chambered for the powerful .45 ACP cartridge, common in American service pistols like the M1911 pistol, and fed from distinctive detachable box or drum magazines. The weapon's construction involved extensive use of machined steel, contributing to its durability but also its significant weight and cost. Features included a finned barrel, a Cutts compensator to control muzzle climb, and a top-mounted actuator, giving it a recognizable profile. Later wartime models, such as the M1, eliminated the Blish lock, used a simple blowback action, and had a fixed, non-finned barrel to accelerate manufacturing at facilities like Savage Arms.

Variants

The initial commercial model was the M1921, followed by the M1928 which incorporated a lower rate of fire and was the first version ordered by the United States Navy. The M1928A1, with a horizontal foregrip and provision for a drum magazine, became a common early World War II model used by the British Army and United States Marine Corps. Wartime simplification led to the M1, which featured a side-mounted charging handle and could only use box magazines, and the further refined M1A1. Specialized versions included the USAAF's M1928A1 with an extended magazine for aircraft defense and the experimental M1944 Hyde Light Rifle project. Post-war, semi-automatic-only versions were produced for the civilian market.

Operational use

Beyond its infamous use by criminals like Al Capone and law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the weapon saw extensive combat in major conflicts. During World War II, it was widely issued to Allied troops, including British Commandos, United States Army Rangers, Soviet partisans, and Australian Army forces in the Pacific War. It remained in service during the Korean War with units like the United States Marine Corps and was used by French forces in the First Indochina War at battles like Dien Bien Phu. Later, limited numbers were employed by the United States Army in the early stages of the Vietnam War and by various factions in conflicts like The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Cultural impact

The "Tommy Gun" became a potent symbol of the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, immortalized in films like *The Public Enemy* and by actors such as James Cagney. Its image is inextricably linked to organized crime in cities like Chicago and to G-men of the FBI. The weapon appears prominently in countless works, from the classic film *Bonnie and Clyde* to modern video games like *Call of Duty*. It is frequently referenced in music, including the song "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde," and its name is colloquially used to describe any submachine gun, cementing its status as an enduring icon of 20th-century America.

Category:Submachine guns Category:World War II infantry weapons of the United States Category:Weapons of the Vietnam War