Thompson submachine gun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the IDE, see TommyGun.
| Thompson submachine gun | |
|---|---|
 Thompson M1A1 on display at Virginia War Museum |
|
| Type | Submachine gun |
| Place of origin | Euclid, Ohio, United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1938–1945 (officially, U.S. military) |
| Used by | U.S. military, FBI, Swedish Army, British Army, others |
| Wars | World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War (limited) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | John T. Thompson |
| Designed | 1917–1919 |
| Manufacturer | Auto-Ordnance Co. (originally), Colt, Savage Arms |
| Produced | 1921–present (replicas) |
| Number built | 1,700,000 aprox. |
| Variants | Persuader & Annihilator, M1921/A1, M1927, M1928/A1, M1/A1 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight |
|
| Length |
|
|
|
|
| Cartridge | .45 ACP (11.43 × 23 mm) |
| Action | Friction lock (early models), Blowback-operated (M1/M1A1) |
| Rate of fire | 600-800 rpm, depending upon model |
| Feed system | 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine; 50- or 100-round drum magazine |
The Thompson, also known as the "Tommy Gun", was a family of American submachine guns that became infamous during the Prohibition era. It was a common sight in gangster films of the time, being used both by criminals and law enforcement officers. The Thompson was also known as the "Chopper", the "Chicago Typewriter" and "Chicago Piano". The Thompson was favored by soldiers and civilians alike for its compactness, large .45 caliber bullet, and high volume of automatic fire.
Contents |
[edit] History and service
The Thompson submachine gun was developed between 1917 and 1919, under supervision of General John Taliaferro Thompson, who coordinated the project's materialization efforts. The principle designers were Theodore H Eickhoff and George E. Goll. Oscar Payne joined Auto Ordnance later on. He designed the self-oiling system and high capacity drum magazine, which helped make the Thompson a success.[1]
There were 2 military types of the Thompson SMG. One, known as the M1928A1 Thompson had a 20 round Magazine or 50-100 round drums. It had a longer muzzle than the M1A1. Its cocking mechanism was also on the top of the gun. The M1A1, had a short muzzle, 30 round magazine, and the cocking mechanism was on the side. The M1928A1 along with the regular M1928 was the choice of the Marines. The M1A1 was the choice of the Army. Thompson intended the weapon as an automatic 'trench-broom' that would sweep enemy troops from the trenches, restoring infantry mobility. Ironically enough, this concept was adopted by German troops using their own submachine guns in concert with sturmtruppen tactics.[1] Produced too late for WWI, the Thompson would first enter major production in 1921 as the Model of 1921.
The Model of 1921 was available for sale to civilians, though its high price resulted in few sales. Model of 1921 Thompsons were sold in small quantities to several police departments in the United States as well as the U.S. Post Office, and minor international sales of the weapon were made to various armies and constabulary forces, chiefly in Central and South America. Thompsons were also acquired by the Irish Republican Army from supporters in the U.S. and were used in the latter stages of the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. The Thompson was also used in limited issue by the U.S. Marine Corps as the Model of 1928 in a series of 'banana war' interventions in Central America, particularly in Nicaragua, where it was popular with the Marines as a point-defense weapon for countering ambush by Sandinista guerillas.
However, the Thompson achieved most of its early notoriety in the hands of Depression-era gangsters and in Hollywood films. About this time, Nationalist China also acquired a quantity of Thompsons for use against Japanese land forces, and eventually began producing copies of the Thompson in small quantities for use by its various armies and militias.
In 1938, the Thompson submachine gun was adopted by the U.S. military, serving during World War II and later into the Korean War, as well as early stages of the Vietnam War. Other Allied countries purchased the Thompson as well, notably the United Kingdom and France. Modifications to simplify production and reduce cost were commonly carried by both non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers, resulting in the M1 and M1A1 models.
The Thompson found particular utility in WWII in the hands of Allied troops as a weapon for scouts, non-commissioned officers, and patrol leaders. In the European theater, the gun was widely utilized in British and Canadian Commando units, as well as U.S. paratroop and Ranger battalions. A Swedish variant of the M1928A1, called Kulsprutepistol m/40 ("Submachine Gun m/40"), served in the Swedish Army between 1940 and 1951. Through the lend lease act the Russians also used the Thompson, but this practice was not widespread.
In the Pacific theatre, Australian infantry and other Commonwealth forces initially used the Thompson extensively in jungle patrols and ambushes, where it was prized for its firepower, though its hefty weight and difficulties in supply eventually led to its replacement by other submachine guns such as the Owen and Austen. The U.S. Marines also used the Thompson as a limited-issue weapon, especially during their later island assaults. However, the Thompson was soon found to have limited effect in heavy jungle cover, where the slow-moving .45 bullet would not penetrate most small-diameter trees or even pierce Japanese helmets or protective vests. In the U.S. Army, many Pacific War jungle patrols were originally equipped with Thompsons in the early phases of the New Guinea and Guadalcanal campaigns, but soon began employing the .30 Browning Automatic Rifle in its place, especially at front (point) and rear (tail) positions, as a point defense weapon.[2][3]
By the time of the Korean war, the Thompson had been withdrawn from service as a standard-issue submachinegun with U.S. forces. It was replaced by the M3/M3A1 submachinegun, and the M1/M2 carbine. Many Thompsons were distributed to Chinese armed forces as military aid before the fall of Chiang Kai-Shek's government to Mao Tse Tung's Communist forces in 1949. During the Korean War, American troops were surprised to encounter Chinese Communist troops heavily armed with Thompson submachine guns, especially during surprise night assaults. The gun's ability to deliver large quanties of short-range automatic assault fire proved very useful in both defense and assault during the early part of the conflict. Many of these weapons were recaptured and placed back into service with American soldiers and Marines for the balance of the war.
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.
The Thompson was also used by U.S. and overseas law enforcement and police forces, most prominently by the FBI. The FBI used the Thompson 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.
The Thompson, or copies of the gun, are still seen from time to time in modern day conflicts, such as the Bosnian War.
[edit] Operating characteristics
The Thompson, especially the early Model of 1921 version, has a fairly high rate of fire (900+ rpm), higher than many other submachine guns of smaller caliber. This rate of fire, combined with a rather heavy trigger pull and a stock with excessive drop, increases the tendency of the gun to climb off target in automatic fire.[4][5]
Compared to modern submachine guns such as the Uzi, the .45 Thompson is heavy, dificult to aim and has excessive recoil. By the standards of the day, however, the Thompson was one of the most effective and reliable submachine gun available.
Due to its gangster-era and World War II connections, Thompsons are highly sought as collector's items. An original Model of 1928 gun in working condition can easily fetch 20,000 USD or more. Semi-automatic replicas are currently produced by Auto-Ordnance Company, a division of Kahr Firearms. Approximately 1,700,000 of these weapons were produced by Auto-Ordnance, Savage Arms and Colt, with 1,387,134 of them being the simplified World War II variants M1 and M1A1.
[edit] Variants
[edit] Persuader & Annihilator
There were two main models that preceded major production. The Persuader was a belt-fed version worked on in 1918, and the Annihilator was fed from a 20-round box magazine, which was an improved model worked on in 1918 and 1919. Additionally, the 50- and 100-round drum magazines were developed.
[edit] Model of 1921
The first major production model. Fifteen thousand guns were produced by Colt. In its original design, it is fashioned more like a sporting weapon, with its famous blued, finned barrel and vertical foregrip. It is a semi-blowback weapon with a friction locked breech (Blish lock). The Model of 1921 was quite expensive to manufacture, with the original retail cost around $225 (equal to roughly 2,100 USD in 2005), with high-quality wood furnishings and finely-machined parts. Some saw military use with the U.S. Marine Corps in Nicaragua, but not type-classified. The weapon had a relatively high 700-800 rpm rate of fire.
[edit] Model of 1923
The Model of 1923 was demonstrated for the U.S. Army. It fired the .45 Remington-Thompson cartridge from a 14-inch barrel, with greater range and power than the .45 ACP. It introduced a horizontal forearm, sling, bipod and bayonet lug. The Model of 1923 was projected to fill the role of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) M1918, but the Army was satisfied with the rifle. The model did not go into production.
[edit] Model of 1927
The Model of 1927 was the semi-automatic-only version of the M1921. It was made by modifying an existing Model of 1921 Thompson, including replacing certain parts, and machining overthe "Model of 1921" inscription to replace it with "Model of 1927."
[edit] Model of 1928
The Model of 1928 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 U.S. Navy and U.S. 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. This model had an official adoption, with a military designation of M1928. The Prohibition era retail price of the Model of 1928 was about $800.[citation needed]
- Mass (empty): 4.9 kg (10.8 lb)
- Length: 852 mm (33.5 in)
- Rate of fire: 700 round/min
- Capacity: 20- or 30-round box magazine; 50 or 100-round drum magazine
- Range: 50 meters
[edit] M1928A1
This variant entered mass production before the attack on 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. 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 WWII. The weapon was mostly used in the U.S. military by the Marines, who supplied it to units in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Though the weapon could use both the 50-round drum and the 20- or 30-round magazines, active service showed the drums were more prone to jamming and extremely heavy and bulky, especially on long patrols. 562,511 of these guns were made.
In addition, the Soviet Union received M1928A1s included as standard equipment with the M3 Stuart light tanks they received through Lend-Lease. The weapons were never issued to the Red Army, however, due to a lack of .45 ACP ammunition on the Eastern Front. The Thompsons were simply put into storage. As of September, 2006 limited numbers of these weapons have been re-imported from Russia to the United States as disassembled 'spare parts kits,' the entire weapon less the receiver (as required by Federal law).
[edit] M1
The M1, formally adopted as the United States Submachine Gun, Cal. .45, M1, was a result of further simplification. The bolt was modified and rate of fire was also reduced to approximately 600-700 rpm. The M1 utilized a simple blowback system of operation and the charging handle was moved to the side. The slots adjoining the magazine well that allowed use of the drum magazine were removed, as well as the Cutts compensator, the flip-up, adjustable rear sight (replaced with a fixed aperture), the barrel cooling flanges, and the Blish lock.
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. As the magazine catch had not been designed for the added weight of the heavy 30-round magazine, loaded magazines sometimes inadvertently detached from the weapon.
The M1 also has a permanently attached buttstock, and was first issued in 1943.
- Mass (empty): 4.8 kg (10.6 lb)
- Length: 811 mm (32 in)
- Rate of fire: 700 round/min
- Capacity: 20- or 30-round box magazine
[edit] 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. Reinforcement wings were added to the fixed rear sight.
The M1A1, formally adopted as the United States Submachine Gun, Cal. .45, M1A1, could be produced in half the time of the M1928A1, and at a much lower cost. In 1939, Thompsons cost the government $209 (2,742 USD in 2005) apiece. By Spring of 1942, cost reduction design changes had brought this down to $70 (878 USD in 2005). In February of 1944, the M1A1 reached a low price of $45 (480 USD in 2005) each, including accessories and spare parts. But by the end of 1944, the M1A1 was replaced with the even lower-cost M3 "Grease Gun".
[edit] Civilian ownership in the United States
Due to the perceived popularity of machine guns such as the Thompson with gangsters in the 1920s and 1930s, the United States Congress passed the National Firearms Act in 1934. Among its provisions, all owners of any fully-automatic firearm were required to register them with the predecessor agency of the modern Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). The law also placed severe restrictions on the possession, transfer and transport of the weapons.
All prospective buyers must register with the government and pay the $200 per item transfer tax. Registration requires the prospective buyer to declare a reasonable need for owning the weapon, to supply a citizenship certification, photographs and fingerprints. They must obtain a certification from state or local law enforcement or court officers that the buyer is not under investigation for a crime and that possession of the weapon will not violate state or local law. Once the paperwork has been submitted to the BATFE, the FBI performs a thorough background check. Only after the purchase has been cleared (a process that normally takes at least four months), may the new owner take possession.
Owners are forbidden to move the gun out of their state of residence without obtaining prior permission from the BATFE. The owner is required to keep the weapon within their exclusive control and may not loan it without their immediate supervision to anyone, including family members. The Thompsons, as well as all other kinds of fully automatic weapons, are under a legal ban in at least nine states and the District of Columbia.
There are several US made semi-automatic Thompson variants that only fire one round per trigger pull. These are less regulated at the federal level but are still banned in several states because of their resemblance to their full auto cousins.
Notwithstanding the legality of ownership, hundreds, if not thousands of these and other weapons of World War II are in the possesion of veterans as "bring back" items. With the number of veterans decreasing rapidly these weapons fall into the possesion of the families as illegal weapons, usually unbeknownst to them as such. Current law does not allow any of these weapons to be registered. Congress is considering an amnesty law which would permit "bring backs" to be registered and thus save these historic and valuable arms. A pristine M1A1 Thompson sold at auction recently, August 2006, for $28,000.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Helmer, William J. (1969). The Gun That Made The Twenties Roar. MacMillan, also Gun Room Press.
- Cox, Roger A. (1982). The Thompson Submachine Gun. Law Enforcement Ordnance Company.
- Huon, Jean. (1986). Les pistolets-mitrailleurs Thompson. Editions Crepin-LeBlond.
- Hill, Tracie L. (1996). Thompson: The American Legend. Collector Grade Publications.
- Herigstad, Gordon. (1996). Colt Thompson Serial Numbers. Self Published.
- Iannamico, Frank. (2000). American Thunder: The Military Thompson Submachine Gun. Moose Lake Publishing.
- Iannamico, Frank. (2004). American Thunder II: The Military Thompson Submachine Gun. Moose Lake Publishing.
- Iannamico, Frank. (2004). United States Submachine Guns. Moose Lake Publishing.
- Dunlap, Roy F. (1948). Ordnance Went Up Front. Samworth Press.
- George, John (Lt. Col). (1948). Shots Fired In Anger. Samworth Press.
- Gudmundsson, Bruce. (1995). Stormtroop Tactics: Innovation in the German Army, 1914–1918. Praeger Press.
- Hogg, Ian V. and Weeks, John. (1989). Military Small Arms of the 20th Century. DBI Books Inc.
- (Portuguese) Olive, Ronaldo. (1996). Guia Internacional de Submetralhadoras. Editora Magnum Ltda.
- Weeks, John. (1980). WWII Small Arms. Galahad Books.
- Smith, Charles H. A brief story of Auto-Ordnance Company.
[edit] External links
- Thompson FAQ's, discussion board and research website
- Thompson pictures and videos
- Colt Thompson Cyber Museum
- Official Tommy Gun Home Page
- The Unofficial Tommy Gun Page
- Nâse Noviny
- Second Amendment Foundation
- Research site about the Korean War and the weapons used
| United States infantry weapons of World War II and Korea |
|---|
| Side arms |
| Colt M1911/A1 | M1917 revolver | Smith & Wesson "Victory" revolver |
| Rifles & carbines |
| Springfield M1903 | M1 Garand | M1 Carbine | M1941 Johnson | Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) |
| Submachine guns |
| Thompson ("Tommy Gun") M1928/M1/A1 | M3 "Grease Gun" | Reising M50/M55 | United Defense M42 |
| Machine guns & other larger weapons |
| Browning M1917 | Browning M1919 | Johnson LMG | Browning M2 HMG | Bazooka | M2 flamethrower |
