When did the tommy gun come out?

When Did the Tommy Gun Come Out?

The Tommy gun, also known as the Thompson submachine gun, is an iconic firearm that has become synonymous with gangsters and outlaws of the Prohibition era. But when did this legendary weapon actually come out?

The Early Years

The Thompson submachine gun was invented by John T. Thompson, an American inventor and engineer, in the early 1900s. Thompson was a pioneer in the field of machine gun design and had already patented several innovative firearms before embarking on the development of the Tommy gun.

In 1915, Thompson founded the Auto-Ordnance Company, with the goal of creating a lightweight, portable machine gun that could be used by the military. The early prototypes of the Tommy gun were designed to fire pistol cartridges, but Thompson later decided to switch to.45 ACP ammunition.

The First Production Models

The first production models of the Tommy gun, known as the Model 1919, were built in 1919-1920. These early models were designed for the military and were intended to be used as a infantry support weapon. The Model 1919 was fed by a 50-round drum magazine and had a rate of fire of 600-800 rounds per minute.

The Introduction to the Criminal Underworld

The Tommy gun made its debut in the criminal underworld in the early 1920s, specifically during the Prohibition era in the United States. Gangsters and bootleggers, who were desperate for a weapon that could help them take down law enforcement and rival gangs, quickly adopted the Tommy gun as their weapon of choice.

The Tommy gun’s popularity among criminals was due in part to its lightweight design, compact size, and high rate of fire. It was also extremely reliable and could be fed with a variety of different ammunition types.

Key Features and Specifications

Here are some key features and specifications of the Tommy gun:

• Caliber:.45 ACP
• Rate of fire: 600-800 rounds per minute
• Magazine capacity: 50-100 rounds
• Weight: 10-12 pounds
• Length: 18-20 inches

The Golden Age of the Tommy Gun

The 1920s-1930s are often referred to as the "Golden Age" of the Tommy gun. During this time, the weapon became an iconic symbol of gangster culture and was used in numerous high-profile gangland shootings and shootouts.

Some of the most notable users of the Tommy gun during this period included notorious gangsters such as Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Bugsy Siegel.

Prohibition and the Rise of Organized Crime

Prohibition, which was enforced from 1920-1933, created a lucrative market for bootleggers and gangsters, who were willing to use violence to protect their operations. The Tommy gun, with its high rate of fire and reliability, was the perfect weapon for these criminals.

As a result, the Tommy gun became a staple of organized crime, and its use spread rapidly throughout the United States.

The Decline of the Tommy Gun

The Tommy gun’s popularity began to decline in the late 1930s, as law enforcement agencies began to develop new strategies to combat organized crime.

In 1934, the National Firearms Act was passed, which imposed a tax on the manufacture and sale of the Tommy gun, as well as other machine guns. This law effectively made the Tommy gun illegal for civilian ownership, and its use began to decline.

Conclusion

The Tommy gun, invented by John T. Thompson in the early 1900s, made its debut in the criminal underworld during the Prohibition era of the 1920s. Its lightweight design, compact size, and high rate of fire made it the perfect weapon for gangsters and bootleggers.

Despite its controversial history, the Tommy gun remains an iconic symbol of American gangster culture and continues to fascinate firearms enthusiasts to this day.

Timeline of the Tommy Gun

Here is a timeline of the Tommy gun’s development and popularity:

Table of Tommy Gun Models

Here is a table of Tommy gun models:

Note: This table is not exhaustive and only includes some of the most notable Tommy gun models.