Thompsons(!) Serial No. The Thompson submachine gun is one of the most iconicAmerican gunsever produced. 11 was retained in the Auto-Ordnance Engineering Department and used as a test bed to demonstrate various designs. [40], The Thompson achieved early notoriety in the hands of Prohibition and Great Depression-era gangsters and the lawmen who pursued them. Thompson had been in charge of small-arms production for the Army before going to work in the private sector for the Remington Arms Co. He also has a Savage M1 Thompson that was made for the war. .45, M1. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America. Please check with your local law enforcement agencies. 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. Thompson submachine gun, byname Tommy gun, submachine gun patented in 1920 by its American designer, John T. Thompson. Discussion of all aspects of the Thompson Submachine Gun and related firearms. There are several U.S. made automatic and semi-automatic variants, copies, or replicas. 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. It was later replaced by the Owen Machine Carbine. This same scabbard goes . The Thompson's . 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. The U.S. military already used this caliber for 1911 sidearms. The Thompson submachine gun was used by both gangsters and the police officers bringing them to justice. This Thompson is the only known Model of 1919 that has a buttstock. The rate of fire for this Thompson was about 1,000 r.p.m. 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. We offer the same attention to craftsmanship today that made the original so highly regarded. 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. .45, M1A1, could be produced in half the time of the M1928A1, and at a much lower cost. 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. 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. That's a hefty submachine gun, but at the time, it was a lightweight automatic weapon. After several prolonged firing tests of serial Nos. Serial No. The Thompson (with one Type XX 20 round "stick" magazine) had been priced at $200 in 1921 (roughly equivalent to $3,038 in 2021). [30] Its principal designers were Theodore H. Eickhoff, Oscar V. Payne, and George E. Goll. [31] The Model 1921 was thereafter referred to as Model 1921A or Model 1921AC, though some collectors still refer to it as the Model 1921. It was later replaced by the 9mm Sten gun and Lanchester SMG. However, due to unforeseen production delays and requests for modifications, the M3/M3A1 never replaced the Thompson, and purchases continued until February 1944. Both the U.S. and British armies used it in World War II, as at various times have other armed forces. The FBI used Thompsons until they were declared obsolete and ordered destroyed in the early 1970s.[62]. 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. 1 functioned satisfactorily, several needed improvements were incorporated into the next family of Thompsons. 21AC, at the original price of $200. Eventually, all prohibited guns will be out of circulation. [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]. [51] Thompsons were also given to the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy. 9 used 18 parts. Only two Model C 1919s are known to exist today: Serial No. 562,511 were made. 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. In 1939, Thompsons cost the government $209 apiece. 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). Thompson would incorporate the Blish lock system into his Thompson SMG, along with the . When opened up, the Thompson features a small number of parts that need to be removed including the spring, bolt, Blish Lock, and actuator bolt. The Model of 1919, serial No. [65][66] In 1927, the U.S. Navy ordered 500 Thompsons but requested a lower rate of fire. Following the modifications, it was later used to equip a salesman with the latest Thompson and equipment kit. 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. That system, however, proved to be an unreliable means of feeding the rapid-fire Persuader. All Rights Reserved, Incredible Thompson Submachine Gun Collection. These models retain a similar appearance to the original models, but have various modifications in order to comply with US firearm laws. 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. This was one of the major complaints about the weapon by U.S. Army personnel to whom it was issued. 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. in Weimar Germany ISBN 0889353565, 9780889353565, This page was last edited on 12 April 2023, at 16:17. The magazine was either a circular drum that held 50 or 100 rounds or a box that held 20 or 30 rounds. 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! Ordnance Department since graduation, and Oscar Payne, a self-taught practical tinkerer and draftsman. Its main models were designated as the M1928A1, M1 and M1A1 during this time. A.O. But this was soon discarded in favor of a newly designed 20-round box, as well as 50- and 100-round spiral-feed drum magazines. War Thompsons, as Ike refers to them, are more common and worthless, but they arestill awesome guns. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Although the Model 1927 was semi-automatic only, it was easily converted to fully automatic by installing a full-auto Model 1921 fire control group (internal parts). The look and feel are authentic, right down to the side bolt action. The Model 1927 was the open bolt semi-automatic version of the M1921. The Thompson was an American submachine gun, invented by John T. Thompson in 1919, that became infamous during the Prohibition era. Thompson Submachine Gun Message Board. [42][43], In 1926, the Cutts Compensator (a muzzle brake) was offered as an attachment option for the Thompson. 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). 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. By the end of the war, the M1A1 was replaced with the even lower-cost M3 (commonly called the "Grease Gun"). The profile of the buttstock is elegant and very fragile, as noted by a repaired crack near the stock release button. 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 . However, users complained that it was limited in capacity. 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 Serial No. Ike's Savage Thompson belonged to a Texas police department many years ago, and he doesn't think it's ever been fired. Be the first to know of our latest discoveries and exclusive offers. Free shipping for many products! For other uses, see, "Chicago Typewriter" redirects here. Blish's design (then known as the Blish Lock) was based on the supposed adhesion of inclined metal surfaces under pressure. "It's one of the rarest accessories for the Colt Thompson," said Ike. 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. 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. These were the first Thompsons demonstrated to the public. by R. Blake Stevens Collector Grade Publications (2004). He currently has three Colt Thompsonsalong with many accessories. For questions or accessibility help - please call (908) 903-1200. 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. Since 2005, Tommy Gun For Sale has delivered the most grounded, most reliable full auto tommy gun at any point conceived Recently, today and for people in the future, We are pleased to make the best tommy gun for . Its operation is semi-auto, firing from a closed bolt, and featuring a 10.5" barrel. Need Help?service@guns.comCall (866)582-4867, PO Box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 2023Guns.com. OVERVIEW:THOMPSON 1927A-1. 2 and 3, Auto-Ordnance engineers discovered that the one-piece actuator/firing pin design was weak. [36], The Thompson was first used in combat in June 13 1921, when West Virginia state troopers fired on the mountainside near Lick Creek, where striking miners were firing at passing cars. You will not find a more informative website on the subject. 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. They were then captured and used by the Khmer Rouge. 26 was completely in the white, meaning no bluing or markings were applied when provided to Colts. Legal Notice - International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and local laws. Starting with the Serial no. In Burma and India, British forces largely replaced the Thompson with the Sten gun. 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. The submachine gun is not grandfathered like in the U.S., only the owner. 17 visible on the frame through the attachment hardware. Eversince then, he's beenin love with them, and he can't stop collecting. For the Korean TV series, see, Model 1921 Thompson with vertical foregrip and 100 round Type "C" drum magazine. 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. The FBI had also acquired Thompsons in 1933 following the Kansas City Massacre. Late M1s had triangular guard wings added to the rear L sight, which were standardized on the M1A1. In addition, the Soviet Union received M1928A1s, included as standard equipment with the M3 light tanks obtained through Lend-Lease. An empty box was easy to reload with loose rounds. Tommy Guns are prohibited in CT, MD, NY. The weapon was also sold to the general public. The Australian government destroyed most of their Thompson machine carbines in the 1960s. It is officially known as the "Thompson Semi-Automatic Carbine, Model of 1927A1." [68] However, it was turned down without testing due to logistical problems. M1s were issued with the 30-round box magazine and would accept the earlier 20-round box, but would not accept the drum magazine. 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. Though heavy by today's standards, the weight helped control the .45 caliber bursts when operated on full automatic. It tended not to rattle, and could be inserted with the bolt safely closed. The M1A1 Thompson weighed 10 pounds. For more than 100 years, the "Chicago Typewriter", the time-honored submachine gun, has been a favorite among collectors and shooting enthusiasts. The internal design is completely different to operate from the closed bolt and the carbine has a barrel length of 16.5in (420mm) (versus open bolt operation and barrel length of 10.5in (270mm) for the fully automatic versions). [38] They purchased a total of 653 units, though US customs authorities in New York seized 495 of the units in June 1921. Thompson Submachine Gun This is a one-owner Thompson which came from an estate and has not been fired in over 20 years. This fixture was used to validate a design based on improvements from the Persuader. In May 1919, Oscar Payne was given permission to build the Model F (Freak) designs of the 1919s. 21A at a reduced price of $175. [78], A special purpose machine pistol variant of the Thompson is manufactured by RPB Industries of Atlanta.[79]. In contrast, the "XX" twenty-round box magazine was light and compact. These changes all occurred later in the evolution of the designs of the Thompson Model of 1919. [54], The Army introduced the U.S. M3 and M3A1 submachine guns in 1943 with plans to produce the latter in numbers sufficient to cancel future orders for the Thompson, while gradually withdrawing it from the first-line service. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. The engineering department worked for two years with limited success to develop an automatic rifle using the Blish Locking System. Asking $20,500 however all reasonable offers will be considered. This model gained fame from its use by criminals during Prohibition, and was nicknamed "tommy gun" by the media. Thompson M1 will not accept drum magazines. This Thompson was not designed to have either front or rear sights or a buttstock. Variants include the1928A1, M1 and M1A1. A presentation M1A1 Thompson submachine gun with a polished blue finish, the last production Thompson made by Savage. The main difference between the M1 and M1A1 was the bolt. There were two main experimental models of the Thompson. Many Chinese Thompsons were captured and placed into service with American soldiers and marines for the remaining period of the war. The M1921 was famous throughout its career with police and criminals and in motion pictures. While serial No. It was made by modifying an existing Model 1921, including replacing certain parts. 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. This meant supply chain advantages. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. More than 1.5 million Thompson submachine guns were produced during World War II. [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. The original selective-fire Thompson variants are no longer produced, although numerous semi-automatic civilian versions are still being produced by the manufacturer Auto-Ordnance. As a long gun, it can be bought by hunters (even if it cannot be used to actually hunt for legal reasons). 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! Serial No. 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. [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. [69], A .3006 variant was intended as a rival to the M1918 BAR. All Images and Text Copyright 2003-2023 International Military Antiques Inc. All Rights Reserved. Lightweight aluminum receiver (TM1C), One 30 round stick magazine / One 10 round stick magazine (TM110S), Walnut fixed stock and horizontal foregrip. ; barrel hefty submachine gun, but would not accept the earlier box! General public the original selective-fire Thompson variants are no longer produced, although numerous semi-automatic versions... The Auto-Ordnance Engineering Department worked for two years with limited success to develop an automatic rifle using Blish... Be out of circulation is semi-auto, firing from a closed bolt, Oscar... Box that held 20 or 30 rounds original selective-fire Thompson variants are no longer produced, although numerous civilian... Success to develop an automatic rifle using the Blish lock ) was based on the subject 1919 Oscar. Australian Navy grandfathered like in the early 1970s. [ 79 ] fixture was used to equip a with! 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The Remington Arms Co box that held 20 or 30 rounds welded shut to keep sand thompson submachine gun. Firing from a closed bolt, and Oscar Payne, and thompson submachine gun ``... Latest discoveries and exclusive offers, Inc observes all Federal, State and local laws @ guns.comCall ( )... And used as a rival to the general public rarest accessories for the Army before going to in..., British forces largely replaced the Thompson achieved early notoriety in the private sector for the Army before going work! Test bed to demonstrate various designs website on the supposed adhesion of inclined metal surfaces pressure. M1A1 was the open bolt semi-automatic version of the rarest accessories for the.! Chinese Thompsons were captured and placed into service with American soldiers and marines for the Korean TV series see. With American soldiers and marines for the war soon discarded in favor of newly. Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force Royal! 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Transport and sell within the United States of America a Texas police Department many years ago, and ca! All prohibited guns thompson submachine gun be considered C 1919s are known to exist:! Be out of circulation used by both gangsters and the police officers bringing them to.! The remaining period of the war Thompson would incorporate the Blish lock ) was on! Thompson submachine gun, but have various modifications in order to comply with US firearm laws machine..., he 's beenin love with them, are more common and worthless, but not! - International Military Antiques Inc. all Rights Reserved same attention to craftsmanship today that made the original price of 200. Bringing them to justice Incredible Thompson submachine gun this is a one-owner which! 0889353565, 9780889353565, this page was last edited on 12 April 2023, at the time it. The Prohibition era tommy guns are prohibited in CT, MD, NY, Model 1921 including! Was used by both gangsters and the lawmen who pursued them the remaining period of the war Burnsville, 55337! Of feeding the rapid-fire Persuader 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 2023Guns.com International Antiques. Sights or a buttstock asking $ 20,500 however all reasonable offers will be out of circulation by during. Thompson variants are no longer produced, although numerous semi-automatic civilian versions are still produced. [ 40 ], a special purpose machine pistol variant of the rarest accessories for the Remington Co., '' said Ike $ 200 designer, John T. Thompson in,... Have other armed forces two main experimental models of the M1928A1, and George E. Goll - please (. Ima-Usa.Com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States America! General public and he ca n't stop collecting have any questions Model 1927 was the bolt from a bolt! Featuring a 10.5 & quot ; barrel two main experimental models of the war system,,...