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Thompson submachine gun (view source)
Revision as of 20:07, 22 September 2020
, 20:07, 22 September 2020KS update 1.1
[[File:M1A1.gif|thumb|right|250px|{{Center|Thompson submachine gun, model M1A1}}]]
The '''Thompson submachine gun''', a.k.a. the '''Tommy gun''', was an early [[submachine gun]] design. It was [[Popularity|popular]] among [[Soldier|soldiers]], [[police]], and [[Civilian|civilians]] alike. It was invented by [[Brigadier General]] [[John T. Thompson]] at the end of [[World War I]] as a "trench-boom" weapon, or a weapon that could clear out [[Trench|trenches]] very quickly. The war ended before the submachine gun could be used in [[battle]]. In 1919, Brigadier General Thompson had the [[company]] he [[wikt:found|found]]ed, [[Auto-Ordnance Company]], modify the gun for civilian use.<ref name=OA>{{cite web |url=http://www.auto-ordnance.com/ao-thompson-submachine-gun.asp |title=Thompson Submachine Gun |author= |date= |website= |publisher=Auto-Ordnance |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> The gun was classified as a submachine gun, meaning a small, fully [[Automatic firearm|automatic]], hand-held gun that fires [[pistol]] [[ammunition]].<ref name=OA/> It remains an [[iconic]] firearm that is very popular with [[Collecting|collectors]].{{efn|An original Thompson manufactured by Colt with original parts will bring about $35,000 in "excellent" condition.<ref name=PetersonGD>{{cite web |url=http://www.gundigest.com/gun-blogs/books/gun-collecting-the-venerable-thompson-submachine-gun |title=Gun Collecting: The Venerable Thompson Submachine Gun |author=Corrina Peterson |date=12 March 2013 |website= |publisher=Gun Digest |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> In "very good" to "good" condition, it can be worth $20,000.<ref name=PetersonGD/> The same gun in "fair" condition can be worth $20,000.<ref name=PetersonGD/> Having a low [[serial number]] or with good [[documentation]] will bring much higher prices.<ref name=PetersonGD/>}} It fires [[.45 ACP]] caliber bullets, an effective and accurate combat bullet against [[human]] targets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://45acp.us/content/view/14/30/ |title=45 ACP History |author= |date= |website= |publisher=45ACP |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref>
== Technical specification ==
* '''Caliber:''' [[.45 ACP]]
* '''Barrel:''' {{convert|10.5|in}}
* '''Length:''' {{convert|32|in}}
* '''Weight:''' {{convert|10|lb}} empty
* '''Operation:''' friction delayed gas blowback
* '''Capacity:''' 20/30 round stick [[magazine (firearms)|magazine]]s; 50/100 drum magazines.
== History ==
In 1882, [[John T. Thompson]] entered the [[United States Army]].<ref name=CanfieldAR>{{cite web |url=http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2011/2/15/thompson-submachine-gun-the-tommy-gun-goes-to-war/ |title=Thompson Submachine Gun: The Tommy Gun Goes to War |author=Bruce Canfield |date=15 February 2011 |website= |publisher=National Rifle Association of America |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> During the [[Spanish–American War]] he made a [[reputation]] for himself making sure ammunition got to the front lines. This was at a time of almost complete [[chaos]] in the army supply system. He later played a part in developing two important American [[military]] [[weapon]]s. These were the [[M1903 Springfield]] [[rifle]] and the [[Colt M1911|M1911 pistol]].<ref name=CanfieldAR/> In 1916 Auto-Ordnance was started with Thompson holding the majority of [[share (finance)|share]]s.<ref name=HoltEX>{{cite web |url=http://www.examiner.com/article/john-t-thompson-was-the-tommy-tommy-guns |title=John T. Thompson was the ‘tommy’ in tommy guns |author=Karen Holt |date=1 May 2012 |website= |publisher=Examiner.com Entertainment |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> Designed for use in [[World War I]], the gun was first called "The Annihilator I" (Thompson nicknamed it a trench broom) could fire 20 rounds per second.<ref name=HoltEX/> The first cases of the new submachine gun arrived on the docks for shipment on November 11, 1918; the same day the war ended.<ref name=HoltEX/> Thompson and Auto-Ordnance began developing the gun for civilian markets. In 1921 the first model, called the M1921, was produced.<ref name=AlexMF>{{cite web |url=http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=66 |title=M1 Thompson (Tommy Gun) Submachine Gun (1938) |author=Dan Alex |date=17 December 2015 |website= |publisher=Military Factory |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref>
== After World War I ==
In 1921, the [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt Patent Firearms Company]] made 15,000 Thompson submachine guns for Auto-Ordinance at a cost of $38.25 each.<ref name=HartSM>{{cite web |url=http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/the-thompson-submachine-or-tommy-gun/ |title=The Thompson Submachine (or “Tommy”) Gun |author=James Hart |date=18 February 2015 |website= |publisher=Sovereign Media |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> These were called the “Model 1921A”.<ref name=HartSM/> This model weighed {{convert|10.25|lb}} and had an effective [[wikt:range|range]] (distance it was accurate) of {{convert|164|ft}}.<ref name=HartSM/> General Thompson tried to sell his gun to [[Europe]]an countries with little success. He tried selling it in the [[US]] but sales were slow. In 1926 he got orders from the [[United States Postal Service]] and the [[United States Marine Corps]].<ref name=HartSM/> The Marines used the guns during the [[Banana Wars]].<ref name=AFHM>{{cite web |url=http://armedforcesmuseum.com/thompson-submachine-gun/ |title=Thompson Submachine Gun |author= |date= |website= |publisher= Armed Forces History Museum |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> It worked well to counter [[ambush]]es by [[Nicaragua]]n [[Guerrilla warfare|guerrilla]]s. The [[Irish Republican Army]] used them in 1921 during the last part of the [[Irish War of Independence]]. They were not impressed by the fact they could only kill about 32 [[percent]] of those they fired at.{{efn|The [[wikt:accuracy|accuracy]] of the Thompson submachine gun is very good.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gunblast.com/Thompson1927A1.htm |title=Auto-Ordnance Model 1927 A1 Thompson Carbine |author=Jeff Quinn |date=12 June 2007 |website= |publisher=GUNblast |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> The stopping power of the .45 ACP cartridge is legendary. But the heavy recoil was hard to handle without proper [[training]].<ref name=Carter823>''Guns in American society: an encyclopedia of history, politics, culture, and the law'', Volume 1, ed. Gregg Lee Carter (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2012), p. 823</ref> Without good training the gun was dangerous to friend and foe.<ref name=Carter823/>}}<ref name=AFHM/> Others who bought his submachine gun included [[Law enforcement]] agencies and [[ranch]]ers. [[Organized crime]] quickly found uses for the gun.<ref name=HartSM/> Later, the [[United States Navy]] ordered 1,500.
== World War II ==
The US military began using the weapon in 1938 and used it throughout [[World War II]]. There were two variants used. The model M1928A1 could use either stick or drum magazines, it had a [[muzzle brake]] (to counter the gun's tendency to rise when fired) and had [[Cooling fin]]s (to counter the barrel of the gun getting too hot).<ref name=AFHM/> The M1A1 model had no cooling fins, could only use the stick magazines and had a simplified [[sight (device)|sight]]. It was used by all the [[Allies of World War II|allies]] during the war.<ref name=AFHM/> The main problem of the Thompson submachine gun was it was complex and expensive to manufacture.<ref name=Henry24>Mark Henry, ''The US Army in World War II (1): The Pacific'' (Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2000), p. 24</ref> It was also heavy at about {{convert|14|lb}} loaded. It had to be kept very clean or it would [[Cartridge (firearms)|misfire]]. But soldiers liked the weapon. It was a favorite of [[British]] and [[Australia]]n soldiers. In the US military it was carried by [[squad leader]]s and [[officer]]s.<ref name=Henry24/> In the heavy [[jungle]]s in the [[Pacific War]], it sounded dangerously like the [[Japan]]ese light machine guns causing some confusion on both sides.<ref name=Henry24/> When the US developed the [[M3 submachine gun]], also called the "grease gun", it was much lighter, cheaper to make and had a slower rate of fire.<ref name=Henry24/> Most soldiers who had Thompsons were very slow to give them up in favor of the less well-liked grease gun.
It was used during the [[Korean War]] and later during the [[Vietnam War]]. The Thompson submachine gun was retired in 1971 after 33 years of service.<ref name=AlexMF/>
== Other militaries ==
The Thompson was used in the [[Arab–Israeli conflict]], the [[Cuban Revolution]] and in the [[Northern Ireland conflict]] (1969–1998.<ref name=AFHM/> The gun continues to be produced today, with many countries around the [[world]] still using it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/10/foghorn/gun-review-thompson-submachine-gun/ |title=Gun Review: Thompson Submachine Gun |author=Nick Leghorn |date=8 October 2013 |website= |publisher=The Truth About Guns |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> Over 1,700,000 Thompson submachine guns have been made.
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== Other websites ==
{{commons}}
* [http://militaryhistorynow.com/2015/01/16/from-gangland-to-the-battlefield-15-amazing-facts-about-the-thompson-submachine-gun/ From Gangland to the Battlefield — 15 Amazing Facts About the Thompson Submachine Gun]
* [https://www.quora.com/Why-do-the-earlier-Thompson-submachine-guns-have-drum-magazines-while-the-WW2-ones-have-stick-magazines Why do the earlier Thompson submachine guns have drum magazines ...]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4QWrha3HLw Firing a Thompson on full-auto, YouTube]
[[Category:1919 establishments]]
[[Category:Submachine guns]]
The '''Thompson submachine gun''', a.k.a. the '''Tommy gun''', was an early [[submachine gun]] design. It was [[Popularity|popular]] among [[Soldier|soldiers]], [[police]], and [[Civilian|civilians]] alike. It was invented by [[Brigadier General]] [[John T. Thompson]] at the end of [[World War I]] as a "trench-boom" weapon, or a weapon that could clear out [[Trench|trenches]] very quickly. The war ended before the submachine gun could be used in [[battle]]. In 1919, Brigadier General Thompson had the [[company]] he [[wikt:found|found]]ed, [[Auto-Ordnance Company]], modify the gun for civilian use.<ref name=OA>{{cite web |url=http://www.auto-ordnance.com/ao-thompson-submachine-gun.asp |title=Thompson Submachine Gun |author= |date= |website= |publisher=Auto-Ordnance |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> The gun was classified as a submachine gun, meaning a small, fully [[Automatic firearm|automatic]], hand-held gun that fires [[pistol]] [[ammunition]].<ref name=OA/> It remains an [[iconic]] firearm that is very popular with [[Collecting|collectors]].{{efn|An original Thompson manufactured by Colt with original parts will bring about $35,000 in "excellent" condition.<ref name=PetersonGD>{{cite web |url=http://www.gundigest.com/gun-blogs/books/gun-collecting-the-venerable-thompson-submachine-gun |title=Gun Collecting: The Venerable Thompson Submachine Gun |author=Corrina Peterson |date=12 March 2013 |website= |publisher=Gun Digest |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> In "very good" to "good" condition, it can be worth $20,000.<ref name=PetersonGD/> The same gun in "fair" condition can be worth $20,000.<ref name=PetersonGD/> Having a low [[serial number]] or with good [[documentation]] will bring much higher prices.<ref name=PetersonGD/>}} It fires [[.45 ACP]] caliber bullets, an effective and accurate combat bullet against [[human]] targets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://45acp.us/content/view/14/30/ |title=45 ACP History |author= |date= |website= |publisher=45ACP |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref>
== Technical specification ==
* '''Caliber:''' [[.45 ACP]]
* '''Barrel:''' {{convert|10.5|in}}
* '''Length:''' {{convert|32|in}}
* '''Weight:''' {{convert|10|lb}} empty
* '''Operation:''' friction delayed gas blowback
* '''Capacity:''' 20/30 round stick [[magazine (firearms)|magazine]]s; 50/100 drum magazines.
== History ==
In 1882, [[John T. Thompson]] entered the [[United States Army]].<ref name=CanfieldAR>{{cite web |url=http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2011/2/15/thompson-submachine-gun-the-tommy-gun-goes-to-war/ |title=Thompson Submachine Gun: The Tommy Gun Goes to War |author=Bruce Canfield |date=15 February 2011 |website= |publisher=National Rifle Association of America |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> During the [[Spanish–American War]] he made a [[reputation]] for himself making sure ammunition got to the front lines. This was at a time of almost complete [[chaos]] in the army supply system. He later played a part in developing two important American [[military]] [[weapon]]s. These were the [[M1903 Springfield]] [[rifle]] and the [[Colt M1911|M1911 pistol]].<ref name=CanfieldAR/> In 1916 Auto-Ordnance was started with Thompson holding the majority of [[share (finance)|share]]s.<ref name=HoltEX>{{cite web |url=http://www.examiner.com/article/john-t-thompson-was-the-tommy-tommy-guns |title=John T. Thompson was the ‘tommy’ in tommy guns |author=Karen Holt |date=1 May 2012 |website= |publisher=Examiner.com Entertainment |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> Designed for use in [[World War I]], the gun was first called "The Annihilator I" (Thompson nicknamed it a trench broom) could fire 20 rounds per second.<ref name=HoltEX/> The first cases of the new submachine gun arrived on the docks for shipment on November 11, 1918; the same day the war ended.<ref name=HoltEX/> Thompson and Auto-Ordnance began developing the gun for civilian markets. In 1921 the first model, called the M1921, was produced.<ref name=AlexMF>{{cite web |url=http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=66 |title=M1 Thompson (Tommy Gun) Submachine Gun (1938) |author=Dan Alex |date=17 December 2015 |website= |publisher=Military Factory |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref>
== After World War I ==
In 1921, the [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt Patent Firearms Company]] made 15,000 Thompson submachine guns for Auto-Ordinance at a cost of $38.25 each.<ref name=HartSM>{{cite web |url=http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/the-thompson-submachine-or-tommy-gun/ |title=The Thompson Submachine (or “Tommy”) Gun |author=James Hart |date=18 February 2015 |website= |publisher=Sovereign Media |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> These were called the “Model 1921A”.<ref name=HartSM/> This model weighed {{convert|10.25|lb}} and had an effective [[wikt:range|range]] (distance it was accurate) of {{convert|164|ft}}.<ref name=HartSM/> General Thompson tried to sell his gun to [[Europe]]an countries with little success. He tried selling it in the [[US]] but sales were slow. In 1926 he got orders from the [[United States Postal Service]] and the [[United States Marine Corps]].<ref name=HartSM/> The Marines used the guns during the [[Banana Wars]].<ref name=AFHM>{{cite web |url=http://armedforcesmuseum.com/thompson-submachine-gun/ |title=Thompson Submachine Gun |author= |date= |website= |publisher= Armed Forces History Museum |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> It worked well to counter [[ambush]]es by [[Nicaragua]]n [[Guerrilla warfare|guerrilla]]s. The [[Irish Republican Army]] used them in 1921 during the last part of the [[Irish War of Independence]]. They were not impressed by the fact they could only kill about 32 [[percent]] of those they fired at.{{efn|The [[wikt:accuracy|accuracy]] of the Thompson submachine gun is very good.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gunblast.com/Thompson1927A1.htm |title=Auto-Ordnance Model 1927 A1 Thompson Carbine |author=Jeff Quinn |date=12 June 2007 |website= |publisher=GUNblast |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> The stopping power of the .45 ACP cartridge is legendary. But the heavy recoil was hard to handle without proper [[training]].<ref name=Carter823>''Guns in American society: an encyclopedia of history, politics, culture, and the law'', Volume 1, ed. Gregg Lee Carter (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2012), p. 823</ref> Without good training the gun was dangerous to friend and foe.<ref name=Carter823/>}}<ref name=AFHM/> Others who bought his submachine gun included [[Law enforcement]] agencies and [[ranch]]ers. [[Organized crime]] quickly found uses for the gun.<ref name=HartSM/> Later, the [[United States Navy]] ordered 1,500.
== World War II ==
The US military began using the weapon in 1938 and used it throughout [[World War II]]. There were two variants used. The model M1928A1 could use either stick or drum magazines, it had a [[muzzle brake]] (to counter the gun's tendency to rise when fired) and had [[Cooling fin]]s (to counter the barrel of the gun getting too hot).<ref name=AFHM/> The M1A1 model had no cooling fins, could only use the stick magazines and had a simplified [[sight (device)|sight]]. It was used by all the [[Allies of World War II|allies]] during the war.<ref name=AFHM/> The main problem of the Thompson submachine gun was it was complex and expensive to manufacture.<ref name=Henry24>Mark Henry, ''The US Army in World War II (1): The Pacific'' (Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2000), p. 24</ref> It was also heavy at about {{convert|14|lb}} loaded. It had to be kept very clean or it would [[Cartridge (firearms)|misfire]]. But soldiers liked the weapon. It was a favorite of [[British]] and [[Australia]]n soldiers. In the US military it was carried by [[squad leader]]s and [[officer]]s.<ref name=Henry24/> In the heavy [[jungle]]s in the [[Pacific War]], it sounded dangerously like the [[Japan]]ese light machine guns causing some confusion on both sides.<ref name=Henry24/> When the US developed the [[M3 submachine gun]], also called the "grease gun", it was much lighter, cheaper to make and had a slower rate of fire.<ref name=Henry24/> Most soldiers who had Thompsons were very slow to give them up in favor of the less well-liked grease gun.
It was used during the [[Korean War]] and later during the [[Vietnam War]]. The Thompson submachine gun was retired in 1971 after 33 years of service.<ref name=AlexMF/>
== Other militaries ==
The Thompson was used in the [[Arab–Israeli conflict]], the [[Cuban Revolution]] and in the [[Northern Ireland conflict]] (1969–1998.<ref name=AFHM/> The gun continues to be produced today, with many countries around the [[world]] still using it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/10/foghorn/gun-review-thompson-submachine-gun/ |title=Gun Review: Thompson Submachine Gun |author=Nick Leghorn |date=8 October 2013 |website= |publisher=The Truth About Guns |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref> Over 1,700,000 Thompson submachine guns have been made.
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== Other websites ==
{{commons}}
* [http://militaryhistorynow.com/2015/01/16/from-gangland-to-the-battlefield-15-amazing-facts-about-the-thompson-submachine-gun/ From Gangland to the Battlefield — 15 Amazing Facts About the Thompson Submachine Gun]
* [https://www.quora.com/Why-do-the-earlier-Thompson-submachine-guns-have-drum-magazines-while-the-WW2-ones-have-stick-magazines Why do the earlier Thompson submachine guns have drum magazines ...]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4QWrha3HLw Firing a Thompson on full-auto, YouTube]
[[Category:1919 establishments]]
[[Category:Submachine guns]]