Description
Physical description
Thompson Model 1928A1 smg. 48.5 x 5cm silencer fitted, firing pin cut
Label
The Thompson submachine-gun was developed as a result of efforts by retired US General, John T Thompson to produce a lightweight automatic rifle. Thompson wished to exploit a locking mechanism for firearms patented by John B Blish. This invention employed a sliding wedge in the bolt of the weapon to exploit the 'metallic adhesion' of certain metals under high pressure, retarding the rearward motion of the bolt until pressure in the barrel had dropped to a safe level. Thompson's plans to build rifles never came to fruition, but an adaptation of the system to produce a 'Submachine-gun' (the name was apparently coined by Thompson himself) firing .45 inch pistol cartridges was more successful. The early production (by Colt, under license from Thompson's Auto Ordnance Corporation) and marketing of the Thompson met with many difficulties, although it gained notoriety during the 1920s through its use by law enforcement agencies and gangsters. With a new European war looming, the failing Auto Ordnance Corporation was acquired by Russell Maguire, who arranged for production to be undertaken by the Savage Arms Corporation. Thus, from 1939 the Thompson was available to meet urgent demands by both the British and, later, the US and armed forces for submachine-guns. By 1941 demand was such that Auto Ordnance began production itself, in parallel with Savage. However, the gun was expensive to produce and, after being produced in simplified form, was superseded by more modern designs. This example is of the Model 1928A1 pattern supplied to Britain under the Lend Lease agreement. It has been modified by the addition of a silencer. This was a British military experimental modification that did not go into service.
History note
The Bridgeport, Connecticut address indicates manufacture no earlier than August 1941
Stamped on left side of receiver [1 of "A1" added with different punch]
U.S. MODEL 1928 A1 No. AO8430
Stamped on left of receiver
THOMPSON SUB-MACHINE GUN CALIBRE .45 AUTOMATIC CARTRIDGE
Stamped on right of receiver
AUTO-ORDNANCE CORPORATION BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, USA
Stamped on right of receiver
US PATENTS 1,131,319 1,352,414 1,338,866 1,357,208 1,340,891 1,363,809 1,340,943 1,403,623 1,347,754 1,406,546 1,349,345 1,408,276 1,817,321
Stamped on top of receiver
Thompson bullet trademark