The Thompson Machine Gun is unquestionably the best-known assault weapon of the early 20th Century. If anyone were to be asked about the weapon of choice by prohibition-era mobsters, folks would undoubtedly say: ‘Tommy Gun’ or Thompson Machine gun.
Who hasn’t seen a Hollywood movie of the Roaring 20s and not watched the screen explode in a flurry of fire power as suit-dressed gangsters riddled cars and enemies with a barrage of bullets? The gun’s visage is as familiar to Americans as the M-16 of the Vietnam era. The Tommy Gun sported a forward hand-hold, drum magazine and squared receiver. As familiar as the gun was, its carrying case was truly a violin look-alike.
The history of the weapon is less familiar. The design was developed by General John T. Thompson of World War I fame. He wanted a weapon that could replace the bold-action service weapons in use by trench-bound infantry soldiers in Europe. As his men rushed an enemy trench with bayonets affixed, untold casualties ensued. General Thompson wanted a weapon to sweep the trench in seconds. He essentially wanted a trench broom.
After researching existing designs and patents and finding a financial backer, he developed a prototype for a one-man machine gun matched to the .45 auto cartridge. General Thompson wanted to arm his men to the teeth. He concluded he could do it with one-man machine guns. Finally, he came up with a prototype, officially named ‘The Annihilator.’
Unfortunately for General Thompson, WWI had ended by the time design quirks had been resolved. Manufacture of the weapon had already commenced, but military contracts were cancelled. With mounting financial debt, General Thompson began marketing to federal and state law enforcement agencies. In 1921, it became available to civilians, but its price tag was well outside of the average person’s budget — half the price of a Ford automobile!
However organized criminals with their huge black-market profits were able to afford box-car loads of the submachine guns, which were used to win turf wars, battles with law enforcement and protect a host of criminal activities. Those included extortion, alcoholic beverage marketing, gambling and prostitution. Following the collapse of the prohibition, the gun’s legacy continued.
The Tommy Gun later saw action in central and south America. The marines adopted the gun as a point-defense weapon for countering ambushes in Nicaragua. It was later purchased by the Irish Republican Army, and was used even later by China against its war with the Japanese. In 1938, the gun was adopted by the U.S. military and served duty in World War II.
The Thompson machine gun, developed by a military man to further the cause of freedom, found its claim to fame in the hands of criminals, and that‘s where its historical significance has remained.