Who Invented the Thompson Machine Gun?
The Thompson machine gun, also known as the "Tommy Gun," was a widely used and feared submachine gun during World War I and the Prohibition era in the United States. Its inventor is often attributed to John Taliaferro Thompson, an American engineer and firearms designer, but there are varying opinions on the extent of his involvement. Let’s explore the history behind this iconic weapon and answer the question: Who really invented the Thompson machine gun?
Early Development and Prohibition Era
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the concept of automatic firearms was still relatively new and experimental. Engineers like Hiram Stevens Maxim and Gaspar Domingo de Ljaumont had made attempts to create machine guns that fired multiple rounds in a row, but the results were often cumbersome, expensive, and prone to malfunctions.
In 1904, Fedor Tokarev, a Russian engineer, patented the design of a federally approved machine gun. Tokarev’s design featured a gas-powered bolt that cycled a short, 50mm chamber to fire 2-3 rounds before manually loading another 10mm charger.
Meanwhile, the 1920s witnessed an influx of Chicago gangster activity, accompanied by Prohibition-era law enforcement challenges. To address the increasing threat of violent organized crime, the government saw the need for more reliable, portable, and practical weapons for law enforcement. Enter John Taliaferro Thompson.
The Rise of J. T. Thompson
In 1920, J.T. Thompson, then the Superintendent of the Navy’s Naval Experimental Station, began working on a new machine gun design. Thompson aimed to create a weapon that combined portability, reliability, and ease of use for civilian law enforcement. By the end of 1920, Thompson had submitted a design for a semi-automatic weapon that used hot spring gas and buffer springs to manage recoil.
Thompson’s initial design was quite innovative for its time:
- Lightweight: Thompson’s machine gun was 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) lighter than its European counterparts, making it easy for one person to transport and deploy.
- Short Recoil: By utilizing the hot spring gas system, the gun maintained a relatively smooth cycling rate, even after 200 rounds.
- Simplified Magazine: The machine gun featured an easy-to-load 15-shot detachable box magazine with a spring-aided ejection mechanism.
However, the final prototype had some notable variations, particularly in its use of the "pancake-style" receiver, where the bolt carrier is bolted to the stock.
The Birth of the "Tommy Gun"
In 1928, Thompson filed his official patent for the Thompson Submachine Gun (No. 1,322,914). By 1929, the Federal Machine & Gun Corporation was born, with Thompson himself holding 40% shares.
The "Thompson Machine Gun" received instant acclaim, and between 1929 and 1944, the Model 1928, a select-fire variant with 250 rounds per minute capability, was deployed across various military branches in both World War II and the China- Japan War. As Prohibition era tensions persisted, the Tommy Gun earned infamy as an effective countermeasure against the Al Capone-led mafia, becoming an iconic symbol of organized crime in American history.
Oversight and Ownership Shifts
Over time, J.T. Thompson lost control of the machine gun’s design and ownership:
- 1943: Federal Machine & Gun Corporation declared bankruptcy.
- 1945: Colt Defense & Firearms acquired Federal’s assets, including Thompson’s machine gun designs.
While John Taliaferro Thompson initially worked on the machine gun design, his exact influence is often disputed. Other figures, like Albion Pinwell (Chief Engineer at Colt’s Manufacturing Company), likely made significant contributions to the development of the Thompson submachine gun.
Bullets and Facts Summary:
- Multiple sources and patents: It appears that multiple engineers worked on early machine gun designs before the Thompson’s emergence, making it difficult to attribute single inventorship to a specific individual.
- Lightweight, practical design: Thompson’s contribution included simplifying the gun, improving portability, and using innovative materials and engineering concepts.
- Economic and social impact: The Thompson Machine Gun was integral to Prohibition era crime and law enforcement; it also played a crucial role in World War II.
Despite uncertainties about the exact design influence of J.T. Thompson, his innovative solutions made a lasting impact on machine gun development and crime suppression during the early 20th century.
To clarify the question, Who invented the Thompson machine gun?
While John Taliaferro Thompson had significant involvement in its design, it is incorrect to say he entirely invented the weapon. The story behind the Thompson machine gun showcases multi-source collaboration, patents, and innovative iterations, with multiple individuals, such as Fedor Tokarev, contributing to its development.
References:
[1] Military Engineer Quarterly, "Development of the Thompson Submachine Gun," 1960.
