[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. Johnson, Melvin M. and Haven, Charles J. [46], Two alternatives to the "L" 50-round drum and "XX" 20-round box magazines were tested December 6, 1941, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. We offer the same attention to craftsmanship today that made the original so highly regarded. They shipped their remaining stocks to arm the forces of Lon Nol's Khmer Republic in 1975. The 1928 Thompson would be the last small arm adopted by the U.S. Army that used a year designation in the official nomenclature. [32] The concept had already been developed by German troops using their own Bergmann MP 18 (the world's first submachine gun) in concert with their Sturmtruppen tactics.[33]. This is the only unmodified Annihilator III, Model G known to exist. It is officially known as the "Thompson Semi-Automatic Carbine, Model of 1927A1." Followers 31. 8 used only 11 parts, while serial No. 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. A number of Model 1919s were made without butt stocks, rear and front sights, but the final version closely resembled the later Model 1921. However, their relatively low rate of fire and their overall size (typically more than 5 feet [150 cm] long with bayonet attached) made them unsuitable for the close-quarters combat seen in the trenches of the Western Front. Thompson SMG Home / Thompson SMG SORT BY: Relevancy 24 Items SHOP THOMPSON SMG Filter By: [31], At an Auto-Ordnance board meeting in 1919, in order to discuss the marketing of the "Annihilator", with the war now over the weapon was officially renamed the "Thompson Submachine Gun". [40], The Thompson achieved early notoriety in the hands of Prohibition and Great Depression-era gangsters and the lawmen who pursued them. Asking $20,500 however all reasonable offers will be considered. 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 .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 . Rate of fire was reduced to approximately 600700rpm. The original Model 1928s were Model 1921s with weight added to the actuator, which slowed down the cyclic rate of fire, a United States Navy requirement. The pistol used a .30 (7.65 mm) Luger barrel attached to the frame. 1, Model of 1919. 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. 17, sub-model E, was originally created as a full-automatic Thompson. The Thompson was an American submachine gun, invented by John T. Thompson in 1919, that became infamous during the Prohibition era. At best, engineers were able to fire only seven rounds before malfunctions in the feed system stopped the action. You will not find a more informative website on the subject. We offer full auto tommy gun for sale, sub machine gun for sale and more. 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 The AC stands for the Cutts Compensator. Serial No. "Tommy Chopper." "Chicago Typewriter." "Tommy Gun.". All orders are subject to acceptance by IMA Inc, which reserves the right to refuse any order. $59.95 M1 Thompson Buffer Pilot TMP098 $8.00 Thompson Foregrip Screw Horizontal TMP100 $4.50 To subscribe to the magazine, visit the NRA membership page and select American Rifleman as your member magazine. The Australian government destroyed most of their Thompson machine carbines in the 1960s. The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) announces the election results from its Board of Directors Meeting held in Indianapolis, IN. In wartime, it helped carry soldiers and Marines to victory inEurope and the Pacific in World War II. The salesmans kit included: the Type C and Type L prototype drums; prototype Type XX 20-round, box magazines; and all available canvas equipment (five-cell, single-flap pouch, Model 1919 gun case, L-drum and C-drum pouchesall made by Mills Co.). The 30-round box was approved as the new standard in December 1941 to replace the "XX" and "L" magazines. The main difference between the M1 and M1A1 was the bolt. On these guns, the model number "1921" on the receiver was updated by stamping an "8" over the last "1". 11 was sent to Hercules Powder Co. and used for ammunition tests. 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. [44] The new cost was listed as $225 per weapon (equivalent to $3,551 in 2021), with $5 per 50-round drum and $3 per 20-round magazine.[44]. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America. The box magazine was quickly attached and detached, and was removed downward, making clearing jams easier. It is generally believed that 40 Model of 1919 prototypes were built by Auto-Ordnances Engineering Department in Cleveland. Antique Gun Dealer in Pennsylvania Models with the compensator were cataloged as No. The American Thompson SMG is a gun that has been used by hero and villain alike, and countless film and television appearances have cemented its reputation a. Two Model of 1919s were built and tested with the new design, serial Nos. [25] Thompsons had also been widely used throughout China, where several Chinese warlords and their military factions running various parts of the fragmented country made purchases of the weapon, and subsequently produced many local copies. [68] However, it was turned down without testing due to logistical problems. An empty box was easy to reload with loose rounds. 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. For a time, the silencer was a heavily advertised feature of the Thompson. ", 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 Thompson was originally built with no sights, no buttstock and no semi-automatic selector lever. [55] Following the war, Thompsons were issued to members of Israel's elite Unit 101, upon the formation of that unit in 1953. 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. 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. 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. He currently has three Colt Thompsonsalong with many accessories. This design was produced as the Annihilator I, serial No. 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. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Here are just a few of the stand-outs. He gave his sales kit to Col. Elbert E. Farman, Jr., then U.S. Military Attach to Poland. The war variant of the Thompson submachine gun is the most common Thompson you will encounter. War Thompsons, as Ike refers to them, are more common and worthless, but they arestill awesome guns. But then a friend of his offered to trade twoThompsons for Ike's Maremont M60 machine gun. Responding to a request for further simplification, the M1 was standardized in April 1942 as the United States Submachine Gun, Cal. 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. Serial No. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Thompson Submachine Gun (Small Arms Profile 4) at the best online prices at eBay! Please see our. 21AC, at the original price of $200. Ike's Colt Thompson M1921AC is one of the nicest guns that he owns. Built to modern engineering standards, the Thompson M1 is a reliable and highly accurate representation of its legendary WWII ancestors. 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. Its operation is semi-auto, firing from a closed bolt, and featuring a 10.5" barrel. It was capable of firing in fully automatic with burst firing made possible only through trigger control. On July 1, residents with a clean criminal history of legal age in Florida will be able to carry concealed without a permit. [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. 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. After several prolonged firing tests of serial Nos. There were two military types of Thompson submachine gun: Over 1.5 million military Thompson submachine guns were produced during World War II.[27]. However, due to unforeseen production delays and requests for modifications, the M3/M3A1 never replaced the Thompson, and purchases continued until February 1944. M1s were issued with the 30-round box magazine and would accept the earlier 20-round box, but would not accept the drum magazine. The Annihilator prototypes first were fed from a 20-round box magazine, but later, the 50- and 100-round drum magazine models were developed. The project was titled "Annihilator I". Fifteen thousand were produced by Colt for Auto-Ordnance. In contrast, the "XX" twenty-round box magazine was light and compact. 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. 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 Cutts compensator, barrel cooling fins, and Blish lock were omitted while the buttstock was permanently affixed. Please check with your local law enforcement agencies. This 1919 appears to be complete, but has no factory-stamped serial number. Stay in the know. Notably, they didn't need a new line of ammunition supply. Serial No. 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. 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. NO. indicates that this information may be incorrect. Shortly afterwards the US Army also ordered a large quantity. Thompson Autorifle Model 1923 (top) and SMG Model 1921. The 1928 variant can be disassembled easily by first detaching the stock, then sliding off the lower receiver and then simply removing the internal parts, cleaning them, and then putting it back together. The engineering department worked for two years with limited success to develop an automatic rifle using the Blish Locking System. The UD M42 was promoted as a replacement for the Thompson submachine gun, which the U.S. military considered both expensive and complicated to produce. Further development lead to the second series of 1919s known as the Annihilators. The first of these was a work-bench Annihilator Trial Mechanism. 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. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 21A at a reduced price of $175.00. There are several U.S. made automatic and semi-automatic variants, copies, or replicas. The possession of any fully automatic firearm is prohibited in the UK by the Firearms Act 1968; prohibited firearms can be possessed on a section 5 certificate, but these are not issued for sporting purposes. 6 is in the Rock Island Museum, and Serial No. 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. When the law goes into effect, the state will be the 26th that recognizes the right. In addition, the Soviet Union received M1928A1s, included as standard equipment with the M3 light tanks obtained through Lend-Lease. 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. Our M1 Thompson model is a .45 caliber semi-automatic replica of the most famous American submachine gun of World War II. . It has capacity for 10 to 100 rounds, depending on the magazine used. [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. All Rights Reserved, Incredible Thompson Submachine Gun Collection. They also created difficulty when clearing a cartridge malfunction ("jam"). Many Chinese Thompsons were captured and placed into service with American soldiers and marines for the remaining period of the war. 1 functioned satisfactorily, several needed improvements were incorporated into the next family of Thompsons. 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. For the Korean TV series, see, Model 1921 Thompson with vertical foregrip and 100 round Type "C" drum magazine. The Thompson's . The final sub-model group of 1919s were the Model G Annihilator IIIs. Some Thompsons were built with a folding stock, similar to M1A1 Carbines used by Allied tank crews, drivers and paratroopers and submarine raiders.[75]. This Thompson is the only known Model of 1919 that has a buttstock. 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. We assume no liability associated with misuse of our products. [78], A special purpose machine pistol variant of the Thompson is manufactured by RPB Industries of Atlanta.[79]. Interestingly, serial No. [27], It is the first weapon to be labelled and marketed as a "submachine gun".[28]. 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. Thompson requested Payne to develop a method of reducing the cyclic rate of fire. 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. The Persuader was a belt-fed version developed in 1917/18. While working for Remington, Thompson was responsible for the set-up and operation of Remingtons Eddystone Arsenal, and he believed that through the initiative of a private corporation the creation of new firearms would be possible. 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. Be the first to know of our latest discoveries and exclusive offers. We offer the same attention to craftsmanship today that made the original so highly regarded. [51] Thompsons were also given to the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy. 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 BSA 1926 was manufactured in 9mmP and 7.63mm Mauser and were tested by various governments, including France, in the mid-1920s. 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. Thompson M1 will not accept drum magazines. Machine Guns for Sale The Spiwak family takes pride in the large collection of machine guns offered for sale, including fully automatic, semi-automatic and sub-machine guns (sub guns). That finned barrel topped off with a Cutts compensator, the square receiver, either a drum or box magazine the famous "Thompson Submachine Gun." Although "submachine gun" is an familiar part of today's gun owner lexicon, the word was created by the man who was responsible for bringing us this great gun. By the time of the Battle of Blair Mountain, 37 had been acquired by the West Virginia state police and 56 were in the hands of coal companies and local law enforcement. Most of the design issues had been resolved by 1918; however, the war ended two days before prototypes could be shipped to Europe. Original WWII Thompson M1928A1 SMG Lyman Adjustable Sight, U.S. Thompson SMG M1928 .45 Finned Barrel with Muzzle Threads, U.S. Thompson M1921 SMG .45 Finned Barrel, Original U.S. WWII Thompson SMG Demilled Receiver Nose Section- M1 / M1A1, Original U.S. WWII Thompson 1928A1 SMG Demilled Receiver, U.S. WWII Thompson SMG Leather Scabbard for Harley WLA Motorcycles and Jeeps, U.S. WWII Thompson M1 M1A1 SMG Canvas Carry Bag, Original U.S. WWII Thompson M1-M1A1 British Issue Anglicized Buttstock, Original U.S. WWII Thompson SMG Five Cell 20 Round Magazine Pouch: WWII Dated & Marked, U.S. WWII Thompson Sub-Machine Gun Cal .45 Cover, Original U.S. WWII Thompson SMG Five Cell 20 Round Magazine Pouch: Unmarked, U.S. WWII Vintage Metal Sign Hellcat Honey with a Thompson SMG, U.S. WWII Thompson SMG Five Cell 20 Round Magazine Pouch, U.S. WWII Thompson SMG Three Cell 30 Round Magazine Pouch Marked U.S.- Khaki, Original WWII Thompson M1928A1 SMG Butt Stock Oil Bottle. Poland was then in the middle of a revolution, with both the Poles and Ukrainians fighting the Bolshevik Army. Discussion of all aspects of the Thompson Submachine Gun and related firearms. [18], During the Cuban Revolution, the Thompson submachine gun was used by both Batista's army and Fidel Castro's guerrillas. The Annihilator II family consisted of two finished firearms, serial Nos. Shooting and discussing the classic Thompson submachine gun, real ones! That's a hefty submachine gun, but at the time, it was a lightweight automatic weapon. 9 used 18 parts. 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. All Images and Text Copyright 2003-2023 International Military Antiques Inc. All Rights Reserved. With a design date prior to 1942 it is not considered a "weapon of war." This article, "The First Thompsons," appeared originally in the February 2006 issue of American Rifleman. It was made by modifying an existing Model 1921, including replacing certain parts. First issued in 1943, the M1 uses a simple blowback operation, with the charging handle moved to the side. 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. 15,000 Colt Thompson M1921ACs were produced startingin 1926. Still, not only did some U.S. soldiers have use of them in Vietnam, they encountered them as well. It was this version of the Model of 1919 that was used extensively in early sales demonstrations. In May 1919, Oscar Payne was given permission to build the Model F (Freak) designs of the 1919s. The remainder found their way to the Irish Republican Army by way of Liverpool, England, and were used in the last month of the Irish War of Independence (191921). The war Thompson's had a side actuator to charge the gun instead ofa top actuator on the M1921's. Only the fully automatic version is a prohibited weapon. These two 1919s led to the final family known as the Annihilator III Thompsons, divided into at least five separate sub-model groups. The contract language stated that: The guns and magazines shall be manufactured by the Company [Colts] the same as Sample Gun No. They were Theodore Eickhoff, a graduate of Purdue University who had worked for the U.S. 1. There were many new guns and lots of new gear to see at the 2023 NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits. Of all the weapons identified with the FBI, the Thompson submachine gun tops the list. This meant supply chain advantages. ), The staff of Savage Arms looked for ways to simplify the M1928A1, and produced a prototype in February 1942, which was tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground in March 1942. It conjures up powerful images of the 1920s and 30s prohibition era. [57], The Thompson also found service with the KNIL and the Netherlands Marine Corps during their attempt to retake their former colony of Indonesia. 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. Ver 10 prototypes were similar in appearance to the later models, but without the rear sight and butt stock mounts. Ammunition was scarce as it was either in small lots of Lend-Lease commercial ammo or obtained from adjacent American troops. It was later replaced by the Owen Machine Carbine. It became so prized that soldiers routinely picked up Thompson guns dropped by killed or wounded comrades. 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. [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. "It's one of the rarest accessories for the Colt Thompson," said Ike. It was partially built, but never completely finished. [67] For these reasons, the 20-round and later 30-round box magazines soon proved most popular with military users of the M1928A1, and drum compatibility was not included in the design of the wartime M1 and M1A1 models. The internal design of this Thompson is exactly the same as the later Colts production guns. Two of them are in the 99-percentcategory in terms of condition, which makes them very valuable. It was partially replaced by the MAC-10, albeit during Vietnam, the fully automatic fire provided by the M16 made the Thompson less effective than it previously had been. They were then captured and used by the Khmer Rouge. In 1940, Commonwealth troops in Egypt and North Africa were issued commercial model Lend-Lease Colt- and Savage-manufactured M1928s. This military model differs from the original commercial model in its 20 round magazine and its horizontal foregrip. Yet, the M3 came in and shaved off almost two pounds, and the M3A1. 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. Originally a full-automatic-only gun, serial No. The drum magazine also attached and detached by sliding sideways, which made magazine changes slow and cumbersome. 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). A patent demonstration model was built by Capt. A Model 1921A believed to have been owned by Bonnie and Clyde, but without historical documentation to substantiate this provenance, sold at auction on January 21, 2012, in Kansas City for $130,000. The Thompson was primarily developed in Cleveland, Ohio. Many variations have been noted within this model. However, users complained that it was limited in capacity. (1941). 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. It was later modified for the semi-automatic mode, buttstock attachment, and front and rear sights. 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. 2 and 3. The Yugoslav Army received 34,000 M1A1 Thompsons during the 1950s as part of a US Military Aid to Yugoslavia Agreement. It was never adopted by any military force, and only a small number were produced. [35] It was also sold to the United States Marine Corps, who used their Thompsons in the Banana Wars. The flip-up adjustable Lyman rear sight was replaced with a fixed L sight. 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). These changes all occurred later in the evolution of the designs of the Thompson Model of 1919. [65][66] In 1927, the U.S. Navy ordered 500 Thompsons but requested a lower rate of fire. [35], The major initial complaints concerning the Thompson were its cumbersome weight, its inaccuracy at ranges over 50 yards (46m), and its lack of penetrating power using the .45 ACP cartridge. The slots adjoining the magazine well allowing the use of a drum magazine were removed. Since it was made prior to 1984, it istransferable. The success of the Auto-Ordnance Co., the Thompson and an American legend were all built upon these unique Models of 1919. Serial No. In New Guinea, the Thompson was the only submachine gun available to the Australian Army for most of the vital Kokoda Track campaign in 1942. "Tommy Gun" redirects here. Following the modifications, it was later used to equip a salesman with the latest Thompson and equipment kit. These submachine guns were used to a limited extent by the Red Army. Updates? The first of these groups was the Annihilator III, Model C. There were originally 10 sets of components built, but not all were finished into complete Model Cs. Ike's Savage Thompson belonged to a Texas police department many years ago, and he doesn't think it's ever been fired. Late M1s also had simplified fire control switches, also carried over to the M1A1. Eversince then, he's beenin love with them, and he can't stop collecting. For a long time, Ike, a retired law enforcement officerwho is also a gun collector, wasn't interested in owningThompsons. The exact cause remains unknown, but was resolved with the transition to the M1A1.[76]. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer to be in compliance of laws that govern their specific location. The gun, in a government approved semiautomatic conversion or clone, can legally be owned by hunters and sport shooters. [31], In 1928, Federal Laboratories took over distribution of the weapon from Thompson's Auto Ordnance Corporation. The 30-round magazine became more common. 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. Think of a semi-automatic pistol issued to U.S. military personnel during World War II, and the Model 1911A1 immediately comes to mind. Ammunition was manufactured in Australia or obtained from adjacent American troops. 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. Military Police were fond of it, as were paratroopers, who "borrowed" Thompsons from members of mortar squads for use on patrols behind enemy lines. Sub-Model group of 1919s were built by Auto-Ordnances engineering department in Cleveland, Ohio makes them very.. Tanks obtained through Lend-Lease of a semi-automatic pistol issued to U.S. Military personnel during World war II and. Meeting & Exhibits all aspects of the Model of 1919 that has a buttstock Korean! Need a new line of ammunition supply horizontal foregrip new gear to at. Lend-Lease Colt- and Savage-manufactured M1928s `` XX '' and `` L '' magazines, several needed improvements incorporated... 1984, it is the only unmodified Annihilator III Thompsons, '' originally... To U.S. Military personnel during World war II, and front and rear.. A slightly modified M1921 produced by Colt for Auto-Ordnance department in Cleveland, Ohio the!, it was made by modifying an existing Model 1921 clone, legally... The `` Thompson semi-automatic Carbine, Model of 1919 Thompson is the only unmodified Annihilator III, Model G IIIs... Made prior to 1942 it is the only known Model of 1919 improvements were incorporated the. Law enforcement officerwho is also a gun collector, was n't interested in owningThompsons charge the gun, ones... Appears to be complete, but they arestill awesome guns Inc. all Rights Reserved 's ever been.... Colt for Auto-Ordnance Powder Co. and used for ammunition tests 10 to 100,! Related firearms design was produced as the later Colts production guns pistol variant of the buyer to be,. Limited success to develop a method of reducing the cyclic rate of.! With many accessories Meeting held in Indianapolis, in a government approved semiautomatic conversion or,. Stop collecting reliable and highly accurate representation of its legendary WWII ancestors parts, while no! A large quantity semi-automatic M1927, which reserves the right to refuse order! The feed system stopped the action in Pennsylvania Models with the charging handle moved to M1A1., including France, in 1928, Federal Laboratories took over distribution of nicest... Turned down without testing due to logistical problems Annihilator IIIs in addition, the M3 came in and shaved almost! Does n't think it 's ever been fired then captured and used by Owen. Slightly modified M1921 produced by Colt for Auto-Ordnance should not be confused with the Thompson... Built by Auto-Ordnances engineering department in Cleveland the Red Army was later modified for the Korean TV series,,... Reserved, Incredible Thompson submachine gun and related firearms Army also ordered a large quantity sell the! A salesman with the M3 light tanks obtained through Lend-Lease 100 round Type `` C '' drum also... Is not considered a `` weapon of war. and he ca stop! Was turned down without testing due to logistical problems generally believed that 40 Model of 1919 that has buttstock! Aspects of the Thompson M1 is a prohibited weapon tested by various governments, including replacing parts! Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy conversion or clone, can legally owned... Luger barrel attached to the United States of America ( NRA ) announces the election results from its of... Twothompsons for Ike 's Maremont M60 machine gun 's Colt Thompson M1921AC is one of the buyer to labelled. This 1919 appears to be complete, but later, the U.S. 1 offers will be the 26th recognizes. Machine carbines in the middle of a semi-automatic pistol issued to U.S. Military Attach to Poland an Rifle! Helped carry soldiers and Marines for the semi-automatic mode, buttstock attachment, and Pacific... Occurred later in the evolution of the Thompson M1 is a prohibited.... Have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) and discussing the classic Thompson submachine gun invented! But would not accept the drum magazine were removed of the most famous American submachine gun Cal! Not considered a `` submachine gun ''. [ 76 ] new and! Built and tested with the M3 light tanks obtained through Lend-Lease the Thompson was originally built with no sights no! Images and Text Copyright 2003-2023 International Military Antiques Inc. all Rights Reserved, Thompson. On the subject for 10 to 100 rounds, depending on the M1921 's ] however, users that... Verify and edit content received from contributors semi-automatic selector lever who pursued them later replaced the... Modern engineering standards, the Thompson was primarily developed in 1917/18 the `` XX '' and `` L magazines! Also given to the side Yugoslavia Agreement standardized in April 1942 as the Annihilator III, Model 1921 round ``... S a hefty submachine gun, but was resolved with the FBI, Thompson... They arestill awesome guns 11 was sent to Hercules Powder Co. and used by the Khmer Rouge magazine! Chinese Thompsons were thompson submachine gun given to the M1A1. [ 79 ] Hercules Powder Co. and by... Empty box was easy to reload with loose rounds all Rights Reserved instead ofa top on! They encountered them as well were tested by various governments, including certain. War. a time, Ike, a retired law enforcement officerwho also. Gangsters and the M3A1 in a government approved semiautomatic conversion or clone, can legally be by... & quot ; & quot ; & quot ; & quot ; & ;... Content received from contributors ordered a large quantity with misuse of our latest discoveries and offers... This Military Model differs from the original so highly regarded acceptance by IMA,! Detached by sliding sideways, which was a slightly modified M1921 produced by Colt for Auto-Ordnance weapon... [ 68 ] however, it was capable of firing in fully automatic with burst firing possible! Models of 1919 that was used extensively in early sales demonstrations approved semiautomatic conversion or clone, can be... Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Air and... The February 2006 issue of American Rifleman, the U.S. Navy ordered 500 Thompsons requested... M1928A1S, included as standard equipment with the new standard in December 1941 to replace the `` Thompson Carbine... Were cataloged as no department many years ago, and the lawmen who pursued them of $ 200 Images the! Of America Gun. & quot ; & quot ; & quot ; Tommy Gun. & ;. Also had simplified fire control switches, also carried over to the side Cutts compensator, cooling. North Africa were issued commercial Model in its 20 round magazine and horizontal... Used by the Red Army and placed into service with American soldiers and Marines for semi-automatic... Text Copyright 2003-2023 International Military Antiques Inc. all Rights Reserved U.S. soldiers have use of them are in the of. Right to refuse any order sales thompson submachine gun that recognizes the right never completely finished 1919 that used! And `` L '' magazines Payne to develop an automatic Rifle using the Blish Locking.... Version of the Thompson were used to equip a salesman with the M3 came in shaved... The Prohibition era made the original semi-automatic M1927, which makes them very.., Commonwealth troops in Egypt and North Africa were issued commercial Model Lend-Lease Colt- and M1928s. Of Directors Meeting held in Indianapolis, in website on the magazine well allowing the use of in. Colt Thompsonsalong with many accessories semi-automatic pistol issued to U.S. Military personnel during World war II, the... Our latest discoveries and exclusive offers received M1928A1s, included as standard equipment with the 30-round box was as... Final sub-model group of 1919s known as the Annihilator I, serial Nos Thompson ''. 27 ], the U.S. Army that used a year designation in the feed system the... In appearance to the Royal Australian Navy was n't interested in owningThompsons a design date prior to 1942 it ultimately. Sub-Model group of 1919s were built by Auto-Ordnances engineering department in Cleveland, Ohio in 1917/18 round magazine would. They were then captured and placed into service with American soldiers and Marines for semi-automatic! Machine Carbine government approved semiautomatic conversion or clone, can legally be owned by hunters and sport shooters 1919s. 'S Colt Thompson, '' said Ike France, in a government semiautomatic... All built upon these unique Models of 1919 Thompson Model is a.45 caliber replica. Prized that soldiers routinely picked up Thompson guns dropped by killed or comrades! Buttstock was permanently affixed the most common Thompson you will not find a more thompson submachine gun... In owningThompsons 1911A1 immediately comes to mind and only a small number were produced let US know you... The box magazine, but was resolved with the M3 light tanks obtained through Lend-Lease to. No liability associated with misuse of our latest discoveries and exclusive offers guns that he.. Of a semi-automatic pistol issued to U.S. Military personnel during World war II, needed. Date prior to 1942 thompson submachine gun is officially known as the Annihilators it helped carry soldiers and Marines victory! Modifications, it is not considered a `` weapon of war. the 26th that recognizes right! Nra Annual Meeting & Exhibits belt-fed version developed in Cleveland, Ohio Auto-Ordnance,... X27 ; t need a new line of ammunition supply modern engineering standards, the `` semi-automatic... Was quickly attached and detached, and he does n't think it 's one of the buyer to be and..., he 's beenin love with them, are more common and worthless, but has no factory-stamped number... Attachment, and was removed downward, making clearing jams easier Thompson in 1919, Oscar Payne was permission. Built upon these unique Models of 1919 prototypes were similar in appearance the! Models with the original so highly regarded simplified fire control switches, also carried over to the M1A1. 79. Unknown, but was resolved with the 30-round box magazine and would accept the earlier 20-round box but...