The Thompson saw early use by the United States Marine Corps during the Banana Wars,[25] the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Irish Republican Army, the Republic of China, and the FBI following the Kansas City Massacre. Everything else comes with the kit, including simple 10-step instructions and socket wrenches for tightening the replacement screws. [65][66] In 1927, the U.S. Navy ordered 500 Thompsons but requested a lower rate of fire. | The Ultimate Guide To Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCCs) & Submachine Guns [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". Replica Thompson SMG | sabremilitaria They sold for $200 in 1921, the equivalent of roughly $3,000 today. [66] The M1928A1 Thompson drum magazine was rather fragile, and cartridges tended to rattle inside it, producing unwanted noise. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. In contrast, the "XX" twenty-round box magazine was light and compact. Late production M1 stocks were fitted with reinforcing bolts and washers to prevent splitting of the stock where it attached to the receiver. The Thompson was primarily developed in Cleveland, Ohio. It was found that the only cartridge currently in service suitable for use with the new lock was the .45 ACP. [77] The original Model 1927 is classified as a machine gun under the National Firearms Act of 1934 (a) by being "readily convertible" by swapping parts and (b) by a 1982 BATF ruling making all open bolt semi-automatic firearms manufactured after the date of this ruling classified as machine guns. Give a Gift If you've ever shot an original "Tommy Gun" or owned one of Auto-Ordnance's M1927A1 semiautos, it could be argued that the best reason to own one that fires .22LR is that it doesn't require a fortune to shoot. Fifteen thousand were produced by Colt for Auto-Ordnance. 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. Admin@SabreHQ.com Tel:1300 731 381 / 61 7 5530 5522. 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. The less expensive and more-easily manufactured "stick" magazines were used exclusively in the M1, with a new 30-round version joining the familiar 20-round type. More reliable than most submachine guns in field conditions of dirt and rain, etc, it was . [55] Following the war, Thompsons were issued to members of Israel's elite Unit 101, upon the formation of that unit in 1953. Still, it was nowhere near as common as the media portrays. As a long gun, it can be bought by hunters (even if it cannot be used to actually hunt for legal reasons). U.S. WWII Thompson Sub-Machine Gun Cal .45 Cover. Denix WWII M1928 Thompson Replica Submachine Gun $199.99 MSRP: $255.00 You save $55.01 Denix WWII M1928 Thompson Replica Submachine Gun Denix (7 reviews) Write a Review SKU: 22-1093 UPC: 8435089710939 Type: Non-Firing Replica Cannot Ship To: CT, IL (Chicago, Aurora), KS (Topeka), MN, NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, WI 40 Quantity: SKU: 22-1093 UPC: It weighed almost 10 pounds (4.5 kg) empty and fired .45-calibre ammunition. It's about half the scale of a real Thompson Model 1921 submachine gun that it mimics. He envisioned it as being a fully automatic rifle in order to replace the bolt-action service rifles then in use (such as the American M1903 Springfield). "The Tommy Gun in Jungle Warfare: The Use and Usefulness of the Thompson Submachine Gun for Australian Soldiers on the Kokoda Trail, New Guinea, 1942,", Rice, Glenn E. "$210K for Bonnie & Clyde Tommy Gun, shotgun", The Ultimate Thompson Book by Tracie L. Hill, sfn error: no target: CITEREFSmith1969p461 (, As mentioned in a notorious reportage on the death of outlaw, sfn error: no target: CITEREFSmith1969p516 (, "Thompson Submachine Gun: Principles of Operation 1943", running various parts of the fragmented country, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Front de Libration de la Cte des Somalis, List of U.S. Army weapons by supply catalog designation, "Diario de la Guerra de Honduras: 30 de enero-30 de abril 1924, Mario Rivas", "Forgotten History of Thompson SMG in Secret Police and Army of Soviet Russia", "Silah Report Podcast V33: Iranian Submachine Guns (19411979)", "SOMALIA: Weapons We Used, Weapons We Captured", "Surveying the Battlefield: Illicit Arms In Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia", "Full Power/Full Auto: The Thompson Goes Metric And the MP5 Goes American", "Digital Resources: The Sandino Rebellion Digital Historical Archive, Nicaragua, 19271934", "Development of the Thompson Submachine Gun", "An Official Journal Of The NRA | Guns of the Battle of Blair Mountain", " : - ", "St. Valentine's Day Massacre: Tale of two guns", "Thompson Submachine Gun: The Tommy Gun Goes to War", "12 Viet Cong Homemade Thompson Submachine Gun", "Thompson "Tommy Gun" SMG .30 Carbine Version -", M1 Vs M1A1 Thompson Submachine Gun Cyclic rate, "Submachine guns of UK BSA Thompson 1926 Thompson 1928A1 Lanchester Sten and Sterling", List of Restricted and Prohibited Firearms, "Handvuurwapens van de Belgische Rijkswacht", "MEMRIA E IDENTIDADE NA TRAJETRIA DOS RFOS DE PAU DE COLHER: ACONTECIMENTOS, PESSOAS, LUGARES", "Police Small Arms Arsenals in the Northern Central American Triangle", http://www.ilcassetto.it/notizia.php?tid=148, ":: Revista Militar::-Revistas As Indstrias Militares e As Armas de Fogo", " , ( 1)", "Viet Cong Weaponry: 14 Small Arms From the Vietnam War", "The American "Tommy Gun" In The Pak-Afghan Region Report", "La fusillade de Loyada: Quelle balle a tu? This categorization also legally allows it to have 1921 or 1928 style foregrip equipped, unlike other "pistol style" Thompson variants, without an AOW (Any Other Weapon) Tax Stamp. 0. Starting with the Serial no. Certain M1s had issues with high rate of fire climbing up to ~800 RPM. But if you have owned or fired a Thompson you will be disappointed. The three-position safety is located on the left side of the receiver and it moves vertically to cycle from safe to fire to lock positions. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). We offer the same attention to craftsmanship today that made the original so highly regarded. [39] After a truce with the British in July 1921, the Irish Republican Army imported more units, which were used in the subsequent Irish Civil War (192223). The Thompson guns used in the massacre are still being held by the Berrien County Sheriff's Department. Models used in the Pacific by Australian troops had their sling swivels remounted on the left side to allow it to be fired more easily while prone. 0. 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. In World War 2 the Tommy Gun as it was often known, was popular with soldiers as a relatively compact automatic weapon with a hard hitting .45 round. Auto-Ordnance's contract price for the M1 Thompson was $42.94 each. In our hands, this .22 Tommy ate everything it was fed from both the 10-round stick magazine or optional 50-round drum magazine. Brochures, Custom Product Flyers and Manuals, 11.5 lbs. This Commercial Model features a 50 round removable drum and pistol fore grip, just like Capones soldiers would have used. Home Defense III $4K Guns & Gear Giveaway Click here to enter now. Ruger's multi-role small frame autoloading rifle - Sear - combines AR-10 power with AR-15 Portability. 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. The project was titled "Annihilator I". In the European theater, the gun was widely utilized in British and Canadian commando units, as well as in the U.S. Army paratrooper and Ranger battalions, where it was issued more frequently than in line infantry units because of its high rate of fire and its stopping power, which made it very effective in the kinds of close combat these special operations troops were expected to undertake. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Many Chinese Thompsons were captured and placed into service with American soldiers and marines for the remaining period of the war. Military Police were fond of it, as were paratroopers, who "borrowed" Thompsons from members of mortar squads for use on patrols behind enemy lines. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. 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. Predictably, Standard's 1922 worked with standard and high-velocity loads. A notable variant of the Model 1928 with an aluminum receiver and tenite grip, buttstock, and forend, was made by Savage.[73]. Bill Vanderpool. 21AC, at the original price of $200. The . A year and a half later The Squad Leader kits were ready, priced at $299. Examples were made in both 9mm and .45 ACP, but it was the .45 version that the US military . Many of the infantry rifles employed during World War I boasted superb accuracy at long range. It's all about having fun - and what fun it is. (Scott can do it in 10 minutes.) Jun 16. This military version of this model (item No. A submachine gun combines automatic firepower with the portability of a stocked, heavy calibre pistol. The Thompson submachine gun is one of the most iconic American guns ever produced. Corrections? This functional non-firing replica is a Collectors Armoury exclusive product. Though it could use both the 50-round drum and the 20- or 30-round box magazines, active service favored the box magazines as the drums were more prone to jamming, rattled when moving, and were too heavy and bulky on long patrols. The Thompson can be fired from 20-round box mags, or 50- and 100-round drum magazines. This model gained fame from its use by criminals during Prohibition, and was nicknamed "tommy gun" by the media. By the time of the Korean War in 1950, the Thompson had seen much use by the U.S. and South Korean military, even though the Thompson had been replaced as standard-issue by the M3/M3A1. The Auto-Ordnance replica of the Thompson M1 and M1A1 is known as the TM1, and may be found marked "Thompson Semi-Automatic Carbine, Caliber .45M1". The T2 submachine gun was Auto-Ordnance's entry into the ongoing competition to replace the classic Thompson submachine gun with something more economical to produce. [26] This was the weapon Brigadier General Thompson demonstrated at Camp Perry in 1920. So Craig Scott of La Crescenta, Calif., created a low-cost alternative in the form of The Squad Leader: a 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum and steel drop-in kit that transforms the ubiquitous Ruger 10/22 rifle into a semi-automatic .22 rimfire Thompson look-alike. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill with Thompson Sub-Machine Gun 4x6 #1014. or Best Offer +C $6.97 shipping. Our M1 Thompson model is a .45 caliber semi-automatic replica of the most famous American submachine gun of World War II. The Thompson's design is actually comfortable and stable to shoot. Under federal regulations, these changes make the Model 1927A1 legally a rifle and remove it from the federal registry requirements of the National Firearms Act. [46], Two alternatives to the "L" 50-round drum and "XX" 20-round box magazines were tested December 6, 1941, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. The Sten and the M3 are so much better choices, and the MP40 is awesome. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, 10/22 ruger conversion kit to thompson submachine gun, Ruger Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the 10/22. For the Korean TV series, see. 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). To fix this, the armorers removed the Blish Lock and replaced it with a hex bolt to keep the cocking handle and bolt together. The first Thompson entered production as the M1921. 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. Thompsons(!) Ver 10 prototypes were similar in appearance to the later models, but without the rear sight and butt stock mounts. The main difference between the M1 and M1A1 was the bolt. It conjures up powerful images of the 1920s and 30s prohibition era. The wood looks cheap and the metal looks fake. Ammunition was manufactured in Australia or obtained from adjacent American troops. Contrary to public opinion, the Thompson submachine gun was not only used by Prohibition-era gangsters. (1941). The 10/22's Thompson persona is heightened by Scottwerx's optional pseudo-stick and drum magazines, which affix to Ruger's 10-round rotary mags. 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 used the Thompson extensively in jungle patrols and ambushes, where it was prized for its firepower, though it was criticized for its hefty weight and poor reliability. During the Troubles (19691998), the Thompson was again used by the Irish Republican paramilitaries. Stemple 76/45 + Russian Lend-Lease Thompson Kit = STG-M1A The famous Thompson Submachine Gun was designed by John Thompson in 1918 making its mark in popular imagination in use with both Gangsters and Law Enforcers during the Prohibition era. The new big bore pistols feature industry-first capacity, with a standard 15-round capacity and 22+1 rounds of 10mm or 18+1 rounds of .45 ACP from the extended magazines. It featured an aluminum receiver to reduce weight. There were two main experimental models of the Thompson. See our article on the site about how to age them well. It was also depicted in Hollywood films during this era, most notably regarding the St Valentine's Day Massacre. Indeed, the Thompson became so widely known in that era that it is commonly (but erroneously) believed to be the first submachine gun. 21A at a reduced price of $175.00. Late M1s also had simplified fire control switches, also carried over to the M1A1. The British had used improvised bolts or wood screws to reinforce M1928 stocks. Thompson submachine gun for Sale - International Military Antiques The wood is a weird color and not well contoured. It was partially built, but never completely finished. 21A at a reduced price of $175. The Auto-Ordnance Corporation was founded in America in 1916 with the intention of developing a variety of weapons; they may well have done so, but only one has survived, the Thompson sub-machine gun.Named for General John T. Thompson, the company's design director, the first models were built-in prototype form in 1919.The first production models appeared in 1921 and from then on manufacture . 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. Denix WWII M1928 Thompson Replica Submachine Gun Only one prototype was made in .351 WSL using a standard 20" barrel which had a ROF of 1000rpm. This scaled-down rimfire weighs half of those, which makes it more endearing to shoot. Most of the design issues had been resolved by 1918; however, the war ended two days before prototypes could be shipped to Europe. This thing is just beautiful, well worth the money. Thompson submachine gun - Wikipedia [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. M1s were made by Savage Arms and by Auto-Ordnance. The Viet Cong liked the weapon and used both captured models as well as manufacturing their own copies in small jungle workshops.[61]. These were basic, open-bolt, blowback designs. 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. 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. If a gun cycles light target . April 4, 2023. The Thompson Submachine Gun entered production as the M1921 version, but the American military showed little interest. Stocky's Owner Don Bitz walks David Faubion through the company's new rifle stocks for 2023. I was skeptical at first, because it's so inexpensive. The Thompson, popularly nicknamed the "Tommy Gun", is an American submachine gun that was designed by John Talliaferro Thompson and produced by the Auto-Ordnance Corporation. 21AC at the original price of $200.00, with the plain M1921 designated No. 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. Thompson sub-machine gun > WW2 Weapons MAJOR STATISTICS OF THE WARTIME THOMPSON SMG, Rate of Fire: 700 - 800 rounds per minute, Feed System: 20 round stick mag, 30 round stick mag, 50 /100 round drum mag. The Cutts compensator, barrel cooling fins, and Blish lock were omitted while the buttstock was permanently affixed. Original U.S. WWII Thompson SMG Five Cell 20 Round Magazine Pouch: Unmarked. So it is with this one. The U.S. Army adopted the Thompson submachine gun in 1928. "Tommy Gun" redirects here. There were two military types of Thompson submachine gun: The M1928A1, which had provisions for both box and drum magazines, utilized the Cutts muzzle brake, had cooling fins on the barrel, and employed a delayed blowback action with the charging handle on the top of the receiver. The wood does not come off and appears to be glued on, so you can't take it off and refinish it. The 1928 Thompson would be the last small arm adopted by the U.S. Army that used a year designation in the official nomenclature. Predictably, Standard's 1922 worked with standard and high-velocity loads. The M1928A1 variant entered mass production before the attack on Pearl Harbor, as on-hand stocks ran out. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The Hellenic Armed Forces, gendarmerie and police units were equipped with Thompson submachine guns supplied by the British and later in the war by the United States. The United Defense M42, sometimes known as the Marlin for the company that did the actual manufacturing, was an American submachine gun used during World War II. Our M1 Thompson model is a .45 caliber semi-automatic replica of the most famous American submachine gun of World War II. By the end of the war, the M1A1 was replaced with the even lower-cost M3 (commonly called the "Grease Gun"). Changes included a horizontal forend, in place of the distinctive vertical foregrip ("pistol grip"), and a provision for a military sling. 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. Also good, if not surprising, was its accuracy. [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. The guns were also shipped to various hardware stores in the region. [41] The Thompson has been referred to by one researcher as the "gun that made the twenties roar". Like a lot of shooters, Ive always wanted to own a Tommy gun. Thompson Semi-Auto Subguns for sale - Guns International For other uses, see, "Chicago Typewriter" redirects here. There were two military types of Thompson submachine gun: Over 1.5 million military Thompson submachine guns were produced during World War II.[27]. The Model 1919 was limited to about 40 units; the first built did not use the drums, as it was too difficult to fire. [28] Thompson intended for the weapon to provide a high volume of automatic, man-portable fire for use in trench warfarea role for which the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) had been determined ill-suited. The real challenge was the lower-velocity benchrest loads that don't break 1,000 feet per second (fps). I wish they would charge more and make a little better product. 13 in 1995. The Thompson submachine gun, also known as the "Tommy gun," is one of the most iconic firearms of the 20th century. The Tale of the Tommy Gun - Popular Mechanics From $34.95. It is now effectively impossible for a firearm of this type to be legally possessed by a member of the general public, except in certified deactivated condition or where specifically manufactured as a semi-automatic in caliber .22LR. [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 was a closed-bolt, select-fire design using a progressive trigger and a tubular receiver, along with stand Thompson gun magazines. They also created difficulty when clearing a cartridge malfunction ("jam"). Both the latter and the Brigade 2506 also used some during the Bay of Pigs Invasion. It had an extended receiver with a recoil buffer and was fed from 20-round magazines. Original U.S. WWII Thompson M1-M1A1 British Issue Anglicized Buttstock. The Thompson was one of the earliest submachine guns to incorporate a double-column, staggered-feed box magazine design, which undoubtedly contributed to the gun's reputation for reliability. The 10/22s Thompson persona is heightened by Scottwerxs optional pseudo-stick and drum magazines, which affix to Rugers 10-round rotary mags. The Thompson M1 was used victoriously in battles throughout the world, ensuring its place for eternity as a legend among military firearms. Best 9mm AR Build Ever: New Frontier Armory's C-5 AR Uses MP5 Magazines. The Thompson submachine gun needs no introduction to most firearm enthusiasts. [70], The Model 1921 (M1921) was the first major production model. the least expensive real Thompsons cost 100 times as much and the Denix looks and feels like a brand new one! In May 1921, Gen. John Taliaferro Thompson went on a sales tour of Europe, visiting Belgium, Britain, France and Spain to promote his innovative "submachine gun," a . By the time Thompsons prototype was completed, however, World War I had ended. Ammunition was scarce as it was either in small lots of Lend-Lease commercial ammo or obtained from adjacent American troops. Company News. [48], The Thompson was used in World War II in the hands of Allied troops as a weapon for scouts, non-commissioned officers (corporal, sergeant, and higher), and patrol leaders, as well as commissioned officers, tank crewmen, and soldiers performing raids on German positions. Springfield Armory Magazine M14, M1A 308 Winchester 20-Round Steel Matte. from United States Made from premium-grade, vegetable-tanned leather, the Burdette Custom Holsters Detective SA-35 holster is a custom outside-the-waistband (OWB) model for the Springfield Armory SA-35 semi-automatic pistol. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The SCAR 15P is chambered for 5.56 NATO and, with its 7.5-inch barrel, is the most compact SCAR to date. $299.99. This replica is great.The look of it is amazing and the weight is as realistic as can be.I love this item and am honored to have a piece of history with me. The Sten and M3 are much better and cost nearly half as much. The exact cause remains unknown, but was resolved with the transition to the M1A1.[76]. The M1A1 . .45 ACP 1927 Thompson Clone Volunte for sale at - GunsAmerica Well worth the money. However, users complained that it was limited in capacity. The British Army criticized "the [magazine's] excessive weight, [and] the rattling sound they made" and shipped thousands back to the U.S. in exchange for 20-round box magazines. Ive owned all of the Ruger 10/22 variations, said Scott, who has more than 30 years of experience in the automotive and motorcycle industries. "[15], The Thompson was also used by U.S. and overseas law enforcement and police forces, most prominently by the FBI.