Thompson submachine gun

The Thompson is probably best known for beeing the favourite "mobster weapon" from the old gangster movies, with its easely recognisable round drum magazine. -It was developed during the first world war, by Col. (later brigadier general) J.T Thompson, and was the first hand held machine gun. But it came to late to be used in action. Since there wasnīt a big demand for sub machine guns the company that made them, The Auto Ordonance Corp. had trouble keeping the weels going. -Especially during the depression in the 1930īs. Although there was a slow, but steady sale to law enforcements agencies, and regrettably -more divious caracters. -so in a way, he company served "both sides of the line". Finally in 1932 he U.S Army adopted the Thompson, but only as "non essencial". It wasnīt until 1938 the TSMG (Thompson sub-machine gun) was officially designated as the "submachine gun, caliber .45 M1928A1. -But the sales were still small, but the threat of outbreak of war changed this. -In short sucsession he French, and the British placed big orders during 1939, along with the U.S Army. -the Thompson was in total produced in 1,750 000 units.