Thompson submachine gun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The Thompson submachine gun, also known as the Tommy Gun, was an American submachine gun (SMG) that became infamous during the Prohibition era. It was a common sight in gangster films of the time, being used both by criminals and by law enforcement officers. The "Tommy Gun" was also known as the "Chicago Typewriter" and "Chicago Piano", and was favored for its compact size and high volume of automatic fire. Known as the 5th best weapon in the world on "Ultimate" a television program on the Discovery channel.
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Service
In the United States, it was used by law enforcement, most prominently by the FBI, until 1976 when it was declared obsolete. All Thompsons in U.S. government possession were destroyed, except for a few token museum pieces and training models.
Thompsons were also used extensively by the U.S. military during World War II, but with modifications to simplify production and reduce cost. These were commonly carried by both non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers.
Due to its gangster-era and World War II connections, Thompsons are highly sought as collector's items. An original M1928 gun in working condition can easily fetch $20,000 or more. Semi-automatic replicas are currently produced by the Auto-Ordnance Company (a division of Kahr Firearms.)
Approximately 1,700,000 of these weapons were produced, with 1,387,134 of them being the simplified WWII M1 variant.
Variants
M1921
The first 15,000 guns were produced by Colt Firearms. In its original design, it is fashioned more like a sporting weapon. It was quite expensive to make, with the original retail cost around $225, with high-quality wood furnishings and finely-machined parts.
M1927
The M1927 was the semi-automatic only version of the M1921.
M1928
The M1928 was famous throughout its career with police and criminals and in motion pictures. It was the first type widely used by military forces, with the US Navy and Marine Corps as major buyers through the 1930s. With the start of World War II, major contracts from Britain and France saved the manufacturer from bankruptcy.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Mass, empty: 4.9 kg
Length: 852 mm
Rate of Fire: 700 RPM
Capacity: 20 or 30 rounds box magazine, 50 or 100 rounds drum magazine
M1928A1
This variant entered mass production before Pearl Harbor as on-hand stocks of the M1928 ran out. Changes included a horizontal forearm in place of the distinctive vertical foregrip and a provision for a military sling. With new US contracts for Lend-Lease shipments abroad and the needs of American armed forces, two factories supplied M1928A1 Thompsons during the early years of WWII. The weapon was mostly used in the US armed forces by the Marines, who supplied it to units in the Pacific Theater of Operations. It was faster and cheaper to manufacture than the M1928. Though the weapon could use both the 50- or the 100-round drum as well as the 20- or 30-round magazines, active service showed the drums were more prone to jamming. The weapon was not very accurate and was therefore only used at close range. 562,511 of these guns were made.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Mass, empty: 4.9 kg
Length: 852 mm
Rate of Fire: 800 RPM
Capacity: 20 or 30 rounds box magazine, 50 or 100 rounds drum magazine
M1
The M1 was a result of further simplification. It utilized a simple blow-back system of operation and the bolt handle was moved to the side. It also could be fired in semi-automatic. Removed were the slots adjoining the magazine well that allowed use of the drum magazines, the Cutts compensator at the muzzle that limited "rise" when firing, the flip up and adjustable rear sight (which was replaced with a fixed peep hole rear sight), the characteristic cooling fins on the barrel and the Blish lock feature of the bolt also disappeared. The less-expensive and easily manufactured "stick" magazines were used exclusively in this version, with a new 30-round version joining the familiar 20-round type. It also has a permanently attached buttstock and was first issued in 1943.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Mass, empty: 4.78 kg
Length: 811 mm
Rate of Fire: 700 RPM
Capacity: 20 or 30 rounds box magazine
M1A1
The multi-piece firing pin of the M1 was supplanted by a simplified firing pin machined into the face of the bolt. The 30-round magazine was very common.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Mass, empty: 4.78 kg
Length: 811 mm
Rate of Fire: 700 RPM
Capacity: 30 rounds box magazine
External links
- Thompson pictures and videos
- Colt Thompson Cyber Museum
- Official Tommygun Home Page
- The Unofficial Tommy Gun Page
- Nase noviny
- Second Amendment Foundation
- Research site about the Korean War and the weapons used
- Great site for information on M1 Garand
- Website in spanish about the Thompson in the popular culture
United States infantry weapons of World War II and Korea |
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Side-arms |
Colt/Browning M1911 .45 |
Rifles & carbines |
M1903 Springfield | M1 Garand | M1 Carbine | M1941 Johnson | Browning Automatic Rifle |
Submachine guns |
Thompson SMG ("Tommy Gun") | M3 "Grease gun" | Reising SMG |
Machine-guns & other larger weapons |
Browning M1917 | Browning M1919 | Johnson LMG | M2 HMG | Bazooka | M2 flamethrower |