About this ebook
The Thompson submachine gun, or Tommy gun, developed an almost iconic status during the 20th century.
Developed during the dying days of World War I as a 'one-man, hand-held machine gun', the prototypes never saw service in Europe, but once the M1921 Thompson formally entered production it was used by the criminals working in Chicago and New York during the 1920s. With the police increasingly outgunned they too were forced to equip themselves with the Tommy gun.
It quickly came to be used in Hollywood films. Yet, once the US entered World War II, the Thompson submachine gun began a second career as part of the US Army. It also became the weapon of choice for the small band of British commandos as they conducted a number of daring raids against the heart of occupied Europe.
Covering these various usages, this is a fascinating and insightful development history of an iconic weapon that virtually spanned the 20th century from the close of World War I to the Yugoslav War.
Developed during the dying days of World War I as a 'one-man, hand-held machine gun', the prototypes never saw service in Europe, but once the M1921 Thompson formally entered production it was used by the criminals working in Chicago and New York during the 1920s. With the police increasingly outgunned they too were forced to equip themselves with the Tommy gun.
It quickly came to be used in Hollywood films. Yet, once the US entered World War II, the Thompson submachine gun began a second career as part of the US Army. It also became the weapon of choice for the small band of British commandos as they conducted a number of daring raids against the heart of occupied Europe.
Covering these various usages, this is a fascinating and insightful development history of an iconic weapon that virtually spanned the 20th century from the close of World War I to the Yugoslav War.
The Thompson submachine gun, or Tommy gun, developed an almost iconic status during the 20th century.
Developed during the dying days of World War I as a 'one-man, hand-held machine gun', the prototypes never saw service in Europe, but once the M1921 Thompson formally entered production it was u...
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JOSEE HENRIQUE DA SILVA CANUTO
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October 29, 2025
TOMPSON.A
About the author
Martin Pegler has a BA Hons in Medieval and Modern History and an MA in Museum Studies, both from University College, London, and was for many years the Senior Curator of Firearms at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds.
Peter Dennis was born in 1950. Inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look and Learn he studied illustration at Liverpool Art College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects, including many Osprey titles.
Peter Dennis was born in 1950. Inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look and Learn he studied illustration at Liverpool Art College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects, including many Osprey titles.
Martin Pegler has a BA Hons in Medieval and Modern History and an MA in Museum Studies, both from University College, London, and was for many years the Senior Curator of Firearms at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds.
Peter Dennis was born in 1950. Inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look...
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