The weapons had very high cyclic rates around 1, rpm. Almost all Model of s were made without buttstocks and front sights, and the final version closely resembled the later Model of This model was designed as an automatic Colt.
Some experimental calibers were. The layout and ergonomics of the Thompson submachine gun was also considered for the role of a Light Rifle before the adoption of the M1 Carbine. However it did form the basis of the Thompson Light Rifle , a development of this variant with a barrel shroud which housed a quick barrel change device similar to the MG42 but was refused in favor of the aforementioned M1 Carbine.
The Model M was the first major production model. Fifteen thousand were produced by Colt for Auto-Ordnance. 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.
The M was famous throughout its career with police and criminals and in motion pictures. This model gained fame from its use by criminals during Prohibition, and was nicknamed "tommy gun" by the media. The Model was a heavy submachine gun introduced to potentially expand the Auto-Ordnance product line and was demonstrated for the U. It introduced a horizontal forearm , improved inline stock for accuracy, inch barrel, bipod and bayonet lug.
The Army did not give the Model of much consideration, so it was not adopted. While not a new model in the usual sense of incorporating major changes, in the Cutts Compensator a recoil brake was offered as an option for the M; Thompsons with the compensator were cataloged as No. The Model was the first type widely used by military forces, with the U. Navy and U. Marine Corps as major buyers through the s.
The original Model s were Model s with weight added to the actuator, which slowed down the cyclic rate of fire, a U. Navy requirement. On these guns, the model number '' on the receiver was updated by stamping an '8' over the last '1'.
The Thompson would be the last small arm adopted by the U. Army that used a year designation in the official nomenclature. With the start of World War II, major contracts from several countries saved the manufacturer from bankruptcy. A notable variant of the Model with an aluminium receiver and tenite grip, buttstock, and forend, was made by Savage.
The MA1 variant entered mass production before the attack on Pearl Harbor , as on-hand stocks ran out. Changes included a horizontal forend, in place of the distinctive vertical foregrip " pistol grip " , and a provision for a military sling. Despite new U. Though it could use both the round drum and the or round box magazines, active service showed the drums were more prone to jamming, rattled when moving, and were too heavy and bulky on long patrols.
The weapons were never issued to the Red Army, however, because of a lack of. As of September , 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.
An MA1 which also came with an unusual inline stock, modified with elevated sights to increase accuracy also existed. Rate of fire was reduced to approximately rpm. First issued in , the M1 uses a simple blowback operation, with the charging handle moved to the side. The flip-up adjustable Lyman rear sight was replaced with a fixed L sight.
Late M1s had triangular guard wings added to the rear L sight, which were standardized on the M1A1. The slots adjoining the magazine well allowing use of a drum magazine were removed.
A new magazine catch with the provision for retaining drum magazines removed, was produced, but most M1s and later M1A1s retained the original. The less expensive and more-easily manufactured "stick" magazines were used exclusively in the M1, with a new round version joining the familiar round type.
The Cutts compensator , barrel cooling fins, and Blish lock were omitted while the buttstock was permanently affixed. Late production M1 stocks were fitted with reinforcing bolts and washers to prevent splitting of the stock where it attached to the receiver.
The British had used improvised bolts or wood screws to reinforce M stocks. Late M1s also had simplified fire control switches, also carried over to the M1A1. The main difference between the M1 and M1A1 was the bolt. 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 reinforced stock and protective sight wings were standard. The round magazine became more common. The Model was the open bolt semi-automatic-only version of the M It was made by modifying an existing Model , including replacing certain parts.
The "Thompson Submachine Gun" inscription was machined over to replace it with "Thompson Semi-Automatic Carbine", and the "Model " inscription was also machined over to replace it with "Model Most Model s owned by police have been converted back to full-auto.
The Model A1 is a semi-automatic only replica version of the Thompson, originally produced by Auto-Ordnance of West Hurley , New York for the civilian collector's market from to It has been produced since by Kahr Arms of Worcester, Massachusetts. Under federal regulations, these changes make the Model A1 legally a rifle and remove it from the federal registry requirements of the National Firearms Act.
These modern versions should not be confused with the original semi-automatic Model of which was a slightly modified Model of produced by Colt for Auto-Ordnance. The Model A1 is the semi-automatic replica of the Thompson Models of and The "Thompson Commando" is a semi-automatic replica of the MA1.
The Model A3 is a semi-automatic,. The Model A5 is a semi-automatic pistol version,. It featured an aluminum receiver to reduce weight. These were produced in small quantities and have a different appearance than the classic style. The BSA was manufactured in 9mmP and 7.
It was never adopted by any military force, and only a small number were produced. Thompson submachine guns including all variants or modified versions are classified as Prohibited Weapons in Canada. Three years later, when the United States officially entered the war, Thompson was promoted to the temporary post of brigadier general in charge of weapons production. By the fall of his operations were churning out 10, quality rifles per day at half the cost of a similar rifle produced by the British.
Marcellus also had graduated from the military academy and had served in France during WWI. Together they developed the Thompson machine gun in An early account described the tommy gun as a "light, portable, automatic weapon, capable of delivering individual machine gun fire from the shoulder, simple and rugged in its construction, and remarkably free from hating and mechanical malfunctions.
That year Thompson was awarded the American Distinguished Service Medal for "exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous service" for his ordnance achievements.
Before the First World War, automatic guns were often frowned upon by military authorities. It was assumed that soldiers would not properly aim at their targets, but would instead rely upon the rapid firing of the weapon. Thompson, however, was an early advocate of automatic weapons and worked toward improving several different small arms. He was particularly concerned with shortcomings of the rifles used during the war and thus sought to create a relatively light-weight weapon that could be carried easily.
His goal was to create an effective rifle that could fire a significant amount of rounds very rapidly. The invention of the Thompson submachine gun occurred just after World War I. The weapon became iconic not only for its later use in combat during World War II, but also as the gun of choice for some of the most notorious criminals in U.
But by February , half a million Thompsons had been made. This was the final realization of General Thompson's dream of equipping American troops with a small machine gun capable of delivering devastating firepower. Thompson himself, though, did not live to see his weapon become a key part of the Allies' arsenal as he died in June But his weapon soldiered on and saw service in Korea and Vietnam before it was finally retired from the U. Type keyword s to search.
Today's Top Stories. Time Life Pictures Getty Images. General Thompson and His Gun. Related Stories. A Thompson Gun and a pair of Colt. Chicago History Museum Getty Images. A Marine named Sgt. John Wisbur Bartlett Sr. The division is working to take Wana Ridge before the town of Shuri.
Okinawa, Marine Corps. Matthew Moss Matthew Moss is a British historian and writer specializing in small arms development, military history and current defence matters. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses.
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