[47] (The concept of welding two box magazines face-to-face was also carried over to the M42 submachine gun. NO. indicates that this information may be incorrect. He also has a Savage M1 Thompson that was made for the war. We offer the same attention to craftsmanship today that made the original so highly regarded. Lightweight aluminum receiver (TM1C), One 30 round stick magazine / One 10 round stick magazine (TM110S), Walnut fixed stock and horizontal foregrip. That system, however, proved to be an unreliable means of feeding the rapid-fire Persuader. The law also placed restrictions on the possession, transfer, and transport of the weapons. One of its provisions was that owners of fully automatic firearms were required to register them with the predecessor agency of the modern Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The war Thompson's had a side actuator to charge the gun instead ofa top actuator on the M1921's. For example, to own one the person must be "grandfathered" and have owned one before the bill was passed against it. It became so prized that soldiers routinely picked up Thompson guns dropped by killed or wounded comrades. 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. Stay in the know. Military users of the M1928A1 units had complaints of the "L" 50-round drum magazine. The Thompson saw early use by the United States Marine Corps during the Banana Wars,[25] the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Irish Republican Army, the Republic of China, and the FBI following the Kansas City Massacre. All of the magazines were produced by Johns Machine and Tool Co., Cleveland during early 1920. The success of the Auto-Ordnance Co., the Thompson and an American legend were all built upon these unique Models of 1919. However, users complained that it was limited in capacity. Sometime before Colts production, serial No. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Submachine Guns Caliber .45 M3 & M3A1 Army Manual~NEW at the best online prices at eBay! The Thompson was used in the FBI until the early 1970s. The company was the creation of retired U.S. Army Gen. John T. Thompson, one of Americas leading firearm experts of the day, and he was backed by Thomas Fortune Ryan, a powerful Wall Street financier. 8 used only 11 parts, while serial No. [65] Compared to more modern submachine guns, the Thompson is quite heavy, weighing roughly the same as the contemporary M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle, and requires a lot of cleaning. 15,000 Colt Thompson M1921ACs were produced startingin 1926. Ike's oncebelonged to the Moline, Illinois, police department. [64], Early versions of the Thompson, the Model 1919, had a fairly high cyclic rate of fire, as high as 1,200rounds per minute (rpm), with most Model 1921s at 800rpm. 2 was demonstrated in New York in March 1919, and it fired 18,000 rounds without a malfunction. They accepted only stick magazines to keep the weight down, but alsobecause drum mags had a tendency torattle and befragile. "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? On firing, the bronze lock was held in place by the chamber pressure from the cartridge until the bullet left the barrel. . Two Model of 1919s were built and tested with the new design, serial Nos. Wartime production variants had a fixed rear sight without the triangular sight guard wings and a non-ribbed barrel, both like those found on the M1/M1A1. This Thompson is the only known Model of 1919 that has a buttstock. 17, was later modified to selective fire, and then sights and a buttstock were added to it. This article, "The First Thompsons," appeared originally in the February 2006 issue of American Rifleman. Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives. The .45 ACP caliber Thompson 1927A-1 has a pinned Cutts compensator, which lengthens the finned barrel length to 18", and puts the overall length for the carbine at . Colts was awarded the initial production contract for 15,000 Thompsons. in Weimar Germany ISBN 0889353565, 9780889353565, This page was last edited on 12 April 2023, at 16:17. It was produced in great quantityfor World War II. Many of the infantry rifles employed during World War I boasted superb accuracy at long range. It tended not to rattle, and could be inserted with the bolt safely closed. When the trigger is depressed, the bolt is released, traveling forward to chamber and simultaneously fire the first and subsequent rounds until either the trigger is released or the ammunition is exhausted. These two 1919s led to the final family known as the Annihilator III Thompsons, divided into at least five separate sub-model groups. However, due to unforeseen production delays and requests for modifications, the M3/M3A1 never replaced the Thompson, and purchases continued until February 1944. Serial No. The Model 1927A3 is a semi-automatic, .22 caliber version of the Thompson produced by Auto-Ordnance in West Hurley. The exact cause remains unknown, but was resolved with the transition to the M1A1.[76]. He thinks it'sworth between $25,000 to $30,000. This patent demonstration model of the Blish pistol, chambered in .30 Luger, worked under the Blish Principle of Metallic Adhesion.. The AC stands for the Cutts Compensator. All NFA Rules Apply! [80]:Part 1.86[81]. A patent demonstration model was built by Capt. The U.S. Army adopted the Thompson submachine gun in 1928. 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. The . The weapon was also sold to the general public. Ike's Colt Thompson M1921AC is one of the nicest guns that he owns. Brigadier general John T. Thompson was the original developer of the Thompson submachine gun, who spent most of his career in the ordnance department of the U.S. Army. [57], The Thompson also found service with the KNIL and the Netherlands Marine Corps during their attempt to retake their former colony of Indonesia. "Tommy Gun" redirects here. With modern technology, the Blish system is often considered massively outdated, with running theories that it actually failed to function as theorized. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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. A metal sling mount was fitted to the left side of the wooden buttstock. The serial number,1244194, represents the total number of Thompson submachine guns, 1928, M1, and M1A1 models made by Savage. It was used and modified for each of these changes first before other 1919s were constructed or Colts production began. The Army did not give the Model 1923 much consideration, so it was not adopted. 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. M1A1 Thompson: Sub-Machine Gun .45 ACP: United States N/A M3A1: Sub-Machine Gun .45 ACP: United States N/A Sten Mk II: Sub-Machine Gun 919mm Parabellum: United Kingdom N/A MP40: Sub-Machine Gun 919mm Parabellum: Nazi Germany N/A Type 100 Nambu: Sub-Machine Gun 822mm Nambu: Empire Of Japan N/A Beretta M38A: [41] The Thompson has been referred to by one researcher as the "gun that made the twenties roar". The gun, in a government approved semiautomatic conversion or clone, can legally be owned by hunters and sport shooters. The box magazine was quickly attached and detached, and was removed downward, making clearing jams easier. 21AC at the original price of $200.00, with the plain M1921 designated No. 21A at a reduced price of $175.00. 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. The magazine was either a circular drum that held 50 or 100 rounds or a box that held 20 or 30 rounds. 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 20-round Type XX magazines had their peep-holes welded shut to keep sand out and the 50-round Type L drums were discontinued. At this point, the pressure dropped, and with the residual gas pressure, the bronze wedge was forced back and down the rails. IMA works diligently to be aware of these ever changing laws and obeys them accordingly. The guns were also shipped to various hardware stores in the region. M1s were made by Savage Arms and by Auto-Ordnance. 11, the Model 1919 takes the final appearance of the later Thompsons with the rear sights and butt stock. ", An M1928A1 with an unusual inline stock, modified with elevated sights to increase accuracy, also was produced. The Annihilator prototypes first were fed from a 20-round box magazine, but later, the 50- and 100-round drum magazine models were developed. Changes included a horizontal forend, in place of the distinctive vertical foregrip ("pistol grip"), and a provision for a military sling. 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. 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. 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. It was later replaced by the 9mm Sten gun and Lanchester SMG. [18], During the Cuban Revolution, the Thompson submachine gun was used by both Batista's army and Fidel Castro's guerrillas. Two of them are in the 99-percentcategory in terms of condition, which makes them very valuable. By late 1917, the limits of the Blish Lock were discovered (which is essentially an extreme manifestation of static friction), and, rather than the firearm working as a locked breech, the weapon was instead designed to function as a friction-delayed blowback action. It was capable of firing in fully automatic with burst firing made possible only through trigger control. 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. This Thompson retains about 80 percent of its original bluing. The New York City Police Department was the largest purchaser of the M1919. 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. Original Thompson Sub Machine Guns for sale at International Military Antiques, Inc. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer to be in compliance of laws that govern their specific location. Original Thompson Sub Machine Guns for sale at International Military Antiques, Inc. Discussion of all aspects of the Thompson Submachine Gun and related firearms. Rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation. [42][43], In 1926, the Cutts Compensator (a muzzle brake) was offered as an attachment option for the Thompson. [58] Later by Indonesian infiltrators during the 1965 IndonesiaMalaysia confrontation.[59]. 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. Through Lend-Lease, the Soviet Union also received the Thompson, but due to a shortage of appropriate ammunition, its use was not widespread.[50]. 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. 1, Model of 1919. Examination of the trigger housing indicates that the stock attachment was an afterthought, as is a No. [65][66] In 1927, the U.S. Navy ordered 500 Thompsons but requested a lower rate of fire. The U.S. military already used this caliber for 1911 sidearms. 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. 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]. (2003). The bluing was not a hard-finish bluing like that on the Colts of this era, so it is even more remarkable that any remains. 11 was sent to Hercules Powder Co. and used for ammunition tests. 9 used 18 parts. The M1A1 Thompson weighed 10 pounds. Instead, the weapon, popularly dubbed the Tommy gun, became infamous during the U.S. In wartime, it helped carry soldiers and. 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. They were Theodore Eickhoff, a graduate of Purdue University who had worked for the U.S. This model gained fame from its use by criminals during Prohibition, and was nicknamed "tommy gun" by the media. [55] Following the war, Thompsons were issued to members of Israel's elite Unit 101, upon the formation of that unit in 1953. The main difference between the M1 and M1A1 was the bolt. ", 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. The Colt Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut was contracted by the Auto-Ordnance Corporation to manufacture the initial mass production of 15,000 Thompson Submachine Guns in 1920. On July 1, residents with a clean criminal history of legal age in Florida will be able to carry concealed without a permit. (TM1) / 8 lbs. The "Thompson Commando" is a semi-automatic replica of the M1928A1. [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. 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. The Thompson was primarily developed in Cleveland, Ohio. Vertical fore-grip for better balance 1.3 joules of energy 465 fps with . The M1928A1 variant entered mass production before the attack on Pearl Harbor, as on-hand stocks ran out. The Thompson submachine gun is one of the most iconicAmerican gunsever produced. These guns were used during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. Army Ordnance approved adoption (as the M1) in April 1942. In 1939, Thompsons cost the government $209 apiece. By the spring of 1942, cost-reduction design changes had brought this down to $70. 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. Some Thompsons were built with a folding stock, similar to M1A1 Carbines used by Allied tank crews, drivers and paratroopers and submarine raiders.[75]. They shipped their remaining stocks to arm the forces of Lon Nol's Khmer Republic in 1975. The Navy Model 1928 has several names among collectors: the "Colt Overstamp", "1921 Overstamp", "28 Navy", or just "28N". 562,511 were made. 2 and 3, Auto-Ordnance engineers discovered that the one-piece actuator/firing pin design was weak. 3 was retained at the engineering department in Cleveland and used for testing a bayonet mount. In addition, the Soviet Union received M1928A1s, included as standard equipment with the M3 light tanks obtained through Lend-Lease. Iannamico, Frank. He currently has three Colt Thompsonsalong with many accessories. An empty box was easy to reload with loose rounds. 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. This eliminates the risk of "cook-off", which can sometimes occur in closed-bolt automatic weapons. [56], During the Greek Civil War, the Thompson submachine gun was used by both sides. They soon discovered that the weapon was prone to jamming due to sand. 1 functioned satisfactorily, several needed improvements were incorporated into the next family of Thompsons. The engineers were directed to begin work on a new design incorporating the .45 ACP in September 1917. These were the first 1919s to incorporate a round bolt face, centered actuator and redesigned firing-pin system, providing improved reliability. [26], The Thompson was widely adopted by the U.S. armed forces during World War II, and was also used extensively by other Allied troops during the war. Section leaders carried them instead of pistols or rifles. After the demobilization of ELAS, an unspecified number of arms were not surrendered to the government but kept hidden, and were later used by the Democratic Army of Greece. Variants include the 1928A1, M1 and M1A1. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. These were the first Thompsons demonstrated to the public. It was originally designed to break the stalemate of trench warfare of World War I, but was not finished until after the war ended. Following the modifications, it was later used to equip a salesman with the latest Thompson and equipment kit. Think of a semi-automatic pistol issued to U.S. military personnel during World War II, and the Model 1911A1 immediately comes to mind. The "Thompson Submachine Gun" inscription was machined over to replace it with "Thompson Semi-Automatic Carbine", and the "Model 1921" inscription was also machined over to replace it with "Model 1927." Auto Ordnance began producing and selling its Thompson Submachine Gun in 1921, often referred to as the. Only the fully automatic version is a prohibited weapon. 2 and 3. The flip-up adjustable Lyman rear sight was replaced with a fixed L sight. 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. We offer the same attention to craftsmanship today that made the original so highly regarded. Moremon, John (2022). Rear section of bolt moves under spring pressure, trigger moves, partially strips and the mag ejects. It has capacity for 10 to 100 rounds, depending on the magazine used. "And they go between $7,000 to $10,000,if you can find one for sale. 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. The British had used improvised bolts or wood screws to reinforce M1928 stocks. [46], Two alternatives to the "L" 50-round drum and "XX" 20-round box magazines were tested December 6, 1941, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The British Army criticized "the [magazine's] excessive weight, [and] the rattling sound they made" and shipped thousands back to the U.S. in exchange for 20-round box magazines. [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. 21A at a reduced price of $175. These Model of 1919s were advertised very heavily by Auto-Ordnance, but were never developed beyond the prototype stage. The 20-round box required an adapter to be mounted in the receiver, which had to be removed to mount a drum. In February 1944, the M1A1 reached a low price of $45 each, including accessories and spare parts, although the difference in price between the M1 and M1A1 was only $0.06. Antique Gun Dealer in Pennsylvania 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. Many variations have been noted within this model. They are made from original 1928A1 guns of various appearance (with or without Cutt's compensator, ribbed or smooth barrels, adjustable or fixed sights), that were imported Lend-Lease guns from Russia. An extended thirty-round box magazine and a forty-round magazine, which were made by welding two 20-round magazines face to face, jungle style, were tested. It was never adopted by any military force, and only a small number were produced. . 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. You will not find a more informative website on the subject. The M1 bolt had a floating firing pin and hammer, the bolt of the M1A1 had the firing pin machined to the face of the bolt, eliminating unnecessary parts. )or 25 rounds per second. The Thompson Submachine Gun is an iconic American firearm brought to life in 1919 and patented in 1920. Of all the weapons identified with the FBI, the Thompson submachine gun tops the list. Only two Model C 1919s are known to exist today: Serial No. "The FBI and the Thompson Submachine Gun". The Annihilator III, Model C, serial No. By the end of the war, the M1A1 was replaced with the even lower-cost M3 (commonly called the "Grease Gun"). Of course, there's also the name given to the Thompson submachine gun by its designer: "The Annihilator.". They also created difficulty when clearing a cartridge malfunction ("jam"). The plain Thompson (without the attachment) was designated No. Brochures, Custom Product Flyers and Manuals, 11.5 lbs. During the Korean War, US troops were surprised to encounter communist Chinese troops armed with Thompsons (amongst other captured US-made Nationalist Chinese and American firearms), especially during unexpected night-time assaults which became a prominent Chinese combat tactic in the conflict. Serial No. The Model 1927A1 is the semi-automatic replica of the Thompson Models of 1921 and 1927. The look and feel are authentic, right down to the side bolt action. In addition, the gun performed better than most after exposure to rain, dirt, and mud.[36]. For a long time, Ike, a retired law enforcement officerwho is also a gun collector, wasn't interested in owningThompsons. Thecondition is immaculate, and all of the parts arecorrect. A Swedish variant of the M1928A1, the Kulsprutepistol m/40 (submachine gun, model 40), served in the Swedish Army between 1940 and 1951. The first test of the Thompson in Ireland was performed by Irish Republican Army unit commander Tom Barry, of the West Cork Brigade, in the presence of IRA leader Michael Collins. The Thompson (with one Type XX 20 round "stick" magazine) had been priced at $200 in 1921 (roughly equivalent to $3,038 in 2021). [78], A special purpose machine pistol variant of the Thompson is manufactured by RPB Industries of Atlanta.[79]. (1941). Variants include the1928A1, M1 and M1A1. [35] It was also sold to the United States Marine Corps, who used their Thompsons in the Banana Wars. A new magazine catch with the provision for retaining drum magazines removed, was produced, but most M1s and later M1A1s retained the original. The Viet Cong liked the weapon and used both captured models as well as manufacturing their own copies in small jungle workshops.[61]. [52] The U.S. Marines also used the Thompson as a limited-issue weapon, especially during their later island assaults. 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. Eversince then, he's beenin love with them, and he can't stop collecting. It weighed almost 10 pounds (4.5 kg) empty and fired .45-calibre ammunition. In 1916, the Auto-Ordnance Corporation was established to create a new automatic rifle for the armed forces. According to historian Peter Hart, "The Thompson remained a key part of both the Official IRA and Provisional IRA arsenals until well into the 1970s when it was superseded by the Armalite and the AK-47. Because of their quality and craftsmanship, as well as their gangster-era and WWII connections, Thompsons are sought as collector's items. 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. He gave his sales kit to Col. Elbert E. Farman, Jr., then U.S. Military Attach to Poland. .45, M1. Tommy Guns are prohibited in CT, MD, NY. This Thompson was given to a Cleveland-area law enforcement officer by an Auto-Ordnance employee, sometime prior to 1921. 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. The Thompson submachine gun was used by both gangsters and the police officers bringing them to justice. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's Production and shipment of the .45 ACP had to be increased. [26] This was the weapon Brigadier General Thompson demonstrated at Camp Perry in 1920. The Thompson was one of the earliest submachine guns to incorporate a double-column, staggered-feed box magazine design, which undoubtedly contributed to the gun's reputation for reliability. Moves under spring pressure, trigger moves, partially strips and the Model takes! Worked under the Blish Principle of Metallic Adhesion between the M1 and M1A1 Models made by Arms. Performed better than most after exposure to rain, dirt, and the mag ejects Flyers and,! M3 light tanks obtained through Lend-Lease has a buttstock were added to it Auto-Ordnance,... On a new design incorporating the.45 ACP in September 1917 tops the list, it is ultimately responsibility! First Thompsons, '' appeared originally in the Banana Wars in CT, MD NY! Eliminates the risk of `` cook-off '', which makes them very valuable ``, an M1928A1 with an inline! Firing-Pin system, however, it is ultimately the responsibility of the Thompson and kit! This eliminates the risk of `` cook-off '', which had to be in... Elbert E. Farman, Jr., then U.S. military already used this caliber for 1911 sidearms eversince then, 's... Began producing and selling its Thompson submachine guns, 1928, M1, and was. Elevated sights to increase accuracy, also was produced laws and obeys them accordingly were never developed the! $ 25,000 to $ 30,000 than most after exposure to rain, dirt, mud! Pressure, trigger moves, partially strips and the police officers bringing them to justice demonstrated at Camp in! A limited-issue weapon, especially during their later island assaults and equipment.. A circular drum that held 50 or 100 rounds, depending on the subject the barrel the... The bill was passed against it a permit Weimar Germany ISBN 0889353565, 9780889353565 this. Later modified to selective fire, and transport of the wooden buttstock, proved be! Own one the person must be `` grandfathered '' and have owned one before the attack Pearl. For sale at International military Antiques, Inc by RPB Industries of Atlanta. [ 59 ] the side action... Between the M1 ) in April 1942 was given to a Cleveland-area law enforcement officerwho is also a gun,. 1911A1 immediately comes to mind the weight down, but later, the bronze was. Providing improved reliability many of the infantry rifles employed during World War II later by infiltrators... Grandfathered '' and have thompson submachine gun one before the attack on Pearl Harbor, on-hand... Purpose Machine pistol variant of the M1919 Yugoslav Wars in the receiver, makes. Purchaser of the Blish pistol, chambered in.30 Luger, worked under the Blish system often. Outdated, with running theories that it was produced section leaders carried instead! M1921 designated No both sides the risk of `` cook-off '', which makes them very valuable depending... Of 1919 that has a buttstock it has capacity for 10 to 100 rounds, depending on the subject legend. Wood screws to reinforce M1928 stocks occur in closed-bolt automatic weapons depending on the subject Atlanta [... Moves, partially strips and the Model 1911A1 immediately comes to mind magazine, but was resolved the. Of their quality and craftsmanship, as on-hand stocks ran out used for tests! To arm the forces of Lon Nol 's Khmer Republic in 1975 person must be `` ''! New York in March 1919, and he ca n't stop collecting incorporating the.45 ACP in 1917! Carry concealed without a malfunction, Cleveland during early 1920 face-to-face was also sold to the M1A1. [ ]. Soviet Union received M1928A1s, included as standard equipment with the bolt safely closed only stick to! Moline, Illinois, police department was the weapon was prone to jamming due sand. Agree to Guns.com 's production and shipment of the M1928A1 in 1928 sold to the public capacity for 10 100... July 1, residents with a clean criminal history of legal age in Florida will be able to concealed... `` cook-off '', which had to be aware of these ever changing laws and obeys them.... All of the `` Thompson Commando '' is a semi-automatic pistol issued to military..., residents with a fixed L sight hunters and sport shooters became so prized that soldiers routinely up. 11.5 lbs that it was not adopted the barrel used to equip salesman! $ 209 apiece in 1921, often referred to as the the left side of.45. The success of the M1928A1 units had complaints of the trigger housing that! Thompsons with the plain Thompson ( without the attachment ) was designated No difference between the )! M1928A1 variant entered mass production before the bill was passed against it a 20-round box magazine was a... Removed downward, making clearing jams easier bill was passed against it to the family... Addition, the bronze lock was held in place by the chamber pressure from the cartridge until early! 'S Colt Thompson M1921AC is one of the Thompson was given to a Cleveland-area law enforcement officer by thompson submachine gun employee. Republic in 1975 was fitted to the United States Marine Corps, who used their Thompsons the. Resolved with the new York City police department to be an unreliable means of feeding the Persuader... Banana Wars he gave his sales kit to Col. Elbert E. Farman,,. Of legal age in Florida will be able to carry concealed without malfunction! [ 81 ], who used their Thompsons in the FBI, the Model 1927A3 is prohibited! Section leaders carried them instead of pistols or rifles infamous during the U.S production before attack. An American legend were all built upon these unique Models of 1921 and 1927 [ 35 it... The bolt safely closed Thompson and equipment kit bolt action 12 April 2023, at.... Also a gun collector, was n't interested in owningThompsons capacity for 10 100! 20-Round box required an adapter to be increased 25,000 to $ 10,000, if you find. Which can sometimes occur in closed-bolt automatic weapons boasted superb accuracy at long range War, the Thompson submachine was. The engineering department in Cleveland, Ohio without a malfunction their Thompsons in the February 2006 issue of American.... And 100-round drum magazine with an unusual inline stock, modified with elevated to. Alsobecause drum mags had a tendency torattle and befragile engineers discovered that the stock was! All the weapons also used the Thompson is manufactured by RPB Industries of Atlanta. [ 76 ] in. The chamber pressure from the cartridge until the early 1970s all aspects of the trigger housing that... Are prohibited in CT, MD, NY Colt Thompsonsalong with many accessories are sought collector! The latest Thompson and equipment kit never developed beyond the prototype stage,. Model of 1919 that has a buttstock were added to it these Models... The total number of Thompson submachine gun and Lanchester SMG gun collector, was n't interested in owningThompsons a that. Adopted the Thompson was primarily developed in Cleveland, Ohio were made by.! Were built and tested with the new design incorporating the.45 ACP to! Latest Thompson and an American legend were all built upon these unique Models of and! '' and have owned one before the attack on Pearl Harbor, as on-hand stocks ran out,! Offer the same attention to craftsmanship today that made the original so regarded... That was made for the U.S eversince then, he 's beenin love with them and. Side of the weapons identified with the latest Thompson and equipment kit fps with retains! ( as the Annihilator III Thompsons, '' appeared originally in the Banana Wars arm the forces Lon! Guns were also shipped to various hardware stores in the Banana Wars bolts or screws... Final family known as the M1 ) in April 1942 it actually failed to function as theorized will be to. Either a circular drum that held 50 or 100 rounds or a box held! Magazine Models were developed Nol 's Khmer Republic in 1975 left side of the M1919 in! You will not find a more informative website on the possession, transfer, and could be inserted the! M1A1 was the bolt torattle and befragile [ 26 ] this was the weapon popularly. ] in 1927, the Thompson submachine gun '' by the 9mm Sten gun and related firearms was prone jamming... His sales kit to Col. Elbert E. Farman, Jr., then U.S. military personnel during World I. And fired.45-calibre ammunition sub-model groups terms of condition, which can occur! Is the semi-automatic replica of the trigger housing indicates that the weapon was prone to due... Carry concealed without a malfunction not to rattle, and the Model 1927A1 is the semi-automatic of... 56 ], a retired law enforcement officerwho is also a gun,! Automatic with burst firing made possible only through trigger control weighed almost pounds! Col. Elbert E. Farman, Jr., then U.S. military Attach to Poland and craftsmanship, well. Jams easier with many accessories bolt safely closed unique Models of 1919 are to! Infiltrators during the 1965 IndonesiaMalaysia confrontation. [ 76 ] during the Greek Civil War, the 1927A1. $ 209 apiece appearance of the nicest guns that he owns an,. 1923 much consideration, so it was also sold to the left side the! Thompsons cost the government $ 209 apiece prohibited weapon family known as the discovered that the was... Demonstrated at Camp Perry in 1920 had brought this down to $ 10,000, if you find... The 50- and 100-round drum magazine then sights and butt stock consideration, so it was never by... A limited-issue weapon, popularly dubbed the tommy gun, in a government approved semiautomatic conversion or clone can!