Thompson M1928A1 Military Version with Box Magazine, USA 1918

Description of the Product

This military version of the Thompson M1928 is one of the most famous weapons of World War II. The Thompson submachine gun also became known as a gangster weapon in the 1920s, and is one of the most easily identifiable weapons in history. The common nickname for this lightweight submachine gun was Tommy Gun. This is a military version of the Thompson submachine gun, equipped with a 20-cartridge box magazine and a rifle-like fore-end . A model with a drum magazine and handle fore-end was also used, but most of the submachine guns in military use were of this type.

Already during World War I, while still a major, the American General John T. Thompson began designing a quick light firearm that could fire repeat fire. Later, with the involvement of new partners, he founded the company to manufacture submachine guns. The Thompson submachine gun is the first weapon to be called a submachine gun. In the recession years after World War I, trade did not go very well, although organized crime syndicates in the U.S. during the Prohibition years did adopt this weapon. However, with the outbreak of World War II, these submachine guns were a huge success and they were made in large series to the U.S. and British armies, and to the Soviet Union as war aid.

During the Prohibition in the U.S., the Thompson submachine gun was known by such nicknames as "Tommy Gun," "Street Sweeper," "Annihilator," "Chicago Typewriter," "Chicago submachine gun," "Chicago Piano." "Drum Gun", "Tommy Boy" or just simply "Thompson". The gun had firepower, it was light and easy to carry around and was used by criminals, police, the FBI and the military during the Prohibition  of 1920-1933, when alcohol could not be legally manufactured, transported or sold. Organized crime revolved around the illegal alcohol trade, and submachine guns sang e.g. in Chicago, in the hands of a gang of mobsters led by Al Capone.

During World War II, the Thompson submachine gun was used by Allied forces. The weapon was distributed to intelligence crews, non-commissioned officers, tank crews, some officers and, in particular, to troops leaving to take over German stations. In Europe, Thompson became famous in the hands of British and Canadian commandos and U.S. paratroopers and ranger forces. The firepower of the weapon showed its strength, especially in France, where the battles often took place over short distances, in cities and on the streets.

No more than a few  Thompson submachine guns were procured in Finland, but during the Continuation War, Russian troops used these weapons on the Finnish front. The Finns thus received some Thompson submachine guns from the Red Army as war booty. The guns had apparently just arrived in Murmansk for the Russians as war aid from the United States.

The Thompson submachine gun was also used by British, Indian and Australian armed forces in the Pacific battles, in Burma and Malaysia. In jungles and surprise attacks on short distances the weapon worked, but due reliability problems and the power being only equivalent to that of a pistol bullet, the U.S. military began replacing the weapon during the war in the battles against Japan.

After World War II, the weapon remained in use , for example, in the Greek Civil War, the Chinese Civil War, and the Korean War. Thompson submachine guns were in the hands of both U.S. and Chinese-backed North Korean forces. The weapon remained in use, and was seen during the Cuban Revolution, the Vietnam War (on both sides), as well as in the wars of the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

• This gun is an exact replica of the original. The replica matches the original in size and weight. The mechanisms of the weapon are working. The weapon can be cocked and dry fired like a real one, and the magazine is detachable. Due to the materials used, the mechanisms cannot withstand continuous cocking and firing for long periods.
• Genuine wood and cast metal has been used to make this replica weapon. Zamac differs from steel in many respects, so the structure of the gun does not withstand pressure, it cannot be used to fire bullets, nor can it be converted to a functional weapon by any means.
• Replica guns such as this do not require permits in Finland, nor in many other countries. However, since the gun looks real, it should not be carried in public.
• A replica gun is perfect for historical re-enactment, on a theater stage, in film productions, for collectors of historical memorabilia, and as decoration.
• Length: 82 cm
• Weight: 3,7 kg
• Manufacturer: Denix, Spain

Due to the nature of this item please read about shipping options/restrictions if ordering outside Finland.   –More information about international shipping-