Thompson Submachine Gun: Difference between revisions
Thompson Submachine Gun: Difference between revisions - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
Thompson Submachine Gun: Difference between revisions
[[Image:M1Thompson.jpg|thumb|right|400px|M1 Thompson with 20-round magazine - .45 ACP]]
[[Image:M1Thompson.jpg|thumb|right|400px|M1 Thompson with 20-round magazine - .45 ACP]]
The M1/M1A1 were versions of the M1928A1 Thompson that were streamlined and simplified for manufacture during World War 2. Features include a non-finned barrel, simple fixed "L" style sights, no Cutts Compensators, and elimination of the knurling on actuators and fire select levers in later models. The bolt and receiver were simplified to eliminate the Blish lock "H" piece. The bolt actuator was also moved from the top to the right side of the receiver on most production, with a few having the actuator on the left. Also there are examples that were parkerized rather than blued that ended up in the hands of U.S. Soldiers.
The M1/M1A1 were versions of the M1928A1 Thompson that were streamlined and simplified for manufacture during World War 2, first adopted in April 1942. Features include a non-finned barrel, simple fixed "L" style sights, no Cutts Compensators, and elimination of the knurling on actuators and fire select levers in later models. The bolt and receiver were simplified to eliminate the Blish lock "H" piece. The bolt actuator was also moved from the top to the right side of the receiver on most production, with a few having the actuator on the left. Also there are examples that were parkerized rather than blued that ended up in the hands of U.S. Soldiers.
The older style M1 Thompson had a more complex bolt design with a separate firing pin later simplified in the M1A1 Thompson which had the firing pin machined into the face of the bolt. The early M1 model rear "L type" sight was prone to bend if the weapon was dropped or dig into the Soldier when in cramped conditions, so later models added triangular "ears" to protect it. The M1/M1A1 Thompson's could not accept the 50/100 round drum magazines used on the M1921/M1928A1 models so were limited to 20-round and 30-round box magazines.
The older style M1 Thompson had a more complex bolt design with a separate firing pin later simplified in the M1A1 Thompson which had the firing pin machined into the face of the bolt. The early M1 model rear "L type" sight was prone to bend if the weapon was dropped or dig into the soldier when in cramped conditions, so later models added triangular "ears" to protect it. The M1/M1A1 Thompson's could not accept the 50/100 round drum magazines used on the M1921/M1928A1 models so were limited to 20-round and 30-round box magazines.
===Film===
===Film===
Revision as of 21:48, 31 December 2016
The Thompson sub-machine gun, or "Tommy Gun", has appeared in the following films, television series, anime, and video games used by the following actors:
The M1921 is the original production version of the Thompson Submachine Gun, as manufactured by Colt Firearms in 1921. The M1921 is of the highest quality, fit, and along with a high polish blued finish, more like high grade sporting arm, than a military weapon. Standard features of the M1921 are the finned barrels, some sent with Cutts compensators, knurled lightweight bolt handles, Lyman Model 55B adjustable rear sights, push button detachable butt stocks, vertical fore grips and checkered fire control levers.
The Model 1928 was more of an modified version rather than an upgrade. They are visually the same as the M1921 except they were outfitted with heavy actuators and smaller less powerful recoil springs to reduce the rate of fire. The earliest of these were converted M1921 Thompson receivers that were merely re-stamped with an "8" over the last "1" in the original markings (hence the terminology "overstamp"). The M1928A1 was the military contract version of this weapon in 1928. It had a more crude military grade blued finish, a heavier actuator and the vertical foregrip was replaced with a horizontal handguard. Military buttstocks often received a reinforcing bolt. The British often moved the sling swivel to the top of the stock.
Film
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM1928 "Tommy Gun" or "Chicago typewriter" with 50-round drum magazine - .45 ACP, made famous through countless classic gangster movies.Error creating thumbnail: File missingM1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine and early 'simplified' rear sight that would be adopted for the M1 Thompson - .45 ACPError creating thumbnail: File missingM1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP. This specimen has the sling swivel relocated to the top of the stock, a modification often made to Thompsons in British service.Error creating thumbnail: File missingM1928A1 Thompson with 50-round drum magazine - .45 ACP
The M1/M1A1 were versions of the M1928A1 Thompson that were streamlined and simplified for manufacture during World War 2, first adopted in April 1942. Features include a non-finned barrel, simple fixed "L" style sights, no Cutts Compensators, and elimination of the knurling on actuators and fire select levers in later models. The bolt and receiver were simplified to eliminate the Blish lock "H" piece. The bolt actuator was also moved from the top to the right side of the receiver on most production, with a few having the actuator on the left. Also there are examples that were parkerized rather than blued that ended up in the hands of U.S. Soldiers.
The older style M1 Thompson had a more complex bolt design with a separate firing pin later simplified in the M1A1 Thompson which had the firing pin machined into the face of the bolt. The early M1 model rear "L type" sight was prone to bend if the weapon was dropped or dig into the soldier when in cramped conditions, so later models added triangular "ears" to protect it. The M1/M1A1 Thompson's could not accept the 50/100 round drum magazines used on the M1921/M1928A1 models so were limited to 20-round and 30-round box magazines.
The modern 1927 model was introduced by Auto Ordnance in the 1970s, capitalizing on the popularity of the sub-machine gun and satisfying the desire for a legal version by implementing a semi-automatic version with a longer barrel but the general appearance of the full-automatic versions. (Not to be confused with the original Model 1927 Thompsons which were made from Model 1921 with the selector disabled.)
Due to the popularity and iconic nature of the Thompson, there were a large number of "lookalike" weapons made by various companies. These have the general outline of a Thompson, but are completely different weapons usually of inferior quality and intended for civilian sale. They are normally chambered in .45 ACP to emulate the original, but some models can be found chambered in 9x19mm.
The Ingram Model 6 was a low cost alternative of the Thompson intended for law enforcement use. It can most easily be distinguished from the the Thompson by the design of the trigger group and the design of the wooden stock.Error creating thumbnail: File missingIngram Model 6 SMG - .45 ACP
The Spitfire Carbine is a civilian semi-automatic carbine which emulates the look of the Thompson and is one in a line of very similar weapons made by different manufacturers all based on one another. Although it has a 16" barrel as standard it can be found with a shortened barrel and converted to full-automatic. Note the tubular receiver and the fact that the "cooling fins" on the barrel are purely cosmetic and are part of the forward grip rather than the barrel itself.Error creating thumbnail: File missingSpitfire Carbine - .45 ACP
The original Volunteer Carbine was essentially a clone of the Spitfire but fitted with a straight wood handguard rather than a vertical grip. However, Volunteer Enterprises soon produced a version known as the Commando Mark III was a much closer match for the Thompson in that it had a more correct square receiver. The most obvious distinguishing features of the Commando Mark II from a genuine Thompson are the magazine well, the fact that the charging handle is on the left side of the gun, and the shape of the rear sight wings. It can be found with both a straight wood handguard or a vertical grip.Error creating thumbnail: File missingVolunteer Enterprises Commando Mark III - .45 ACP
