Is it a Chicago Typewriter or a GI Trench Sweeper? From Call of Duty and Battlefield to Mafia and Resident Evil 4, these are the two flavors of the Tommy Gun that we’re used to seeing in our games.
With the help of Keeper of Firearms & Artillery, Jonathan Ferguson, we’ve come to the Royal Armouries museum in the UK to learn more about the unique history of the Thompson, and explore the pop culture legacy of this iconic SMG.
In this episode of Loadout, Dave Jewitt visits the Royal Armouries to talk to Keeper of Firearms & Artillery Jonathan Ferguson to chart the unique pop culture legacy of the Thompson SMG.
You can check out more episodes of Loadout right here. –
You can check out our Firearms Expert Reacts series here. –
If you’re interested in seeing more of Jonathan’s work, you can check out more from the Royal Armouries right here. –
If you would like to support the Royal Armouries, you can make a charitable donation to the museum here. – …(read more)
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Thompson: The Iconic SMG’s Strange Legacy
The Thompson submachine gun, also known as the Tommy gun, is perhaps one of the most iconic firearms in history. Its distinctive design and historical significance have cemented its place as a legendary weapon. However, the Thompson’s legacy has taken some unexpected turns over the years, leading to a strange and sometimes controversial reputation.
The Thompson submachine gun was originally developed in the aftermath of World War I, with the intention of providing American soldiers with a powerful and reliable weapon for close-quarters combat. Its sleek and stylish design made it an instant hit, and it quickly gained popularity among law enforcement officers and criminals alike.
During the Prohibition era, the Thompson became synonymous with gangsters and bootleggers, earning it a fearsome reputation as the weapon of choice for organized crime. Its appearance in numerous Hollywood films further solidified its status as a symbol of lawlessness and violence.
Despite its association with criminal activity, the Thompson also saw widespread use in military conflicts around the world. It was used by American forces and allied nations during World War II, where its high rate of fire and stopping power made it a formidable weapon on the battlefield.
After the war, the Thompson’s popularity began to wane as newer, more advanced firearms entered the market. However, it continued to be used by law enforcement agencies and special forces units, while also enjoying a cult following among firearm enthusiasts.
In recent years, the Thompson has experienced a resurgence in popularity as a collector’s item and a symbol of Americana. Its vintage aesthetic and historical significance have made it a sought-after item for gun enthusiasts and collectors.
Today, the Thompson submachine gun is often seen as a relic of a bygone era, but its legacy lives on in popular culture and in the hearts of those who appreciate its design and history. Whether it’s on display in a museum or in the hands of a collector, the Thompson continues to captivate and intrigue people with its strange and storied legacy.
As a loadout option in video games and tactical simulations, the Thompson submachine gun remains a popular choice for players looking for a classic and reliable weapon. Its unique appearance and historical significance make it a standout choice for those who appreciate its heritage and iconic status.
In conclusion, the Thompson submachine gun’s strange legacy has seen it go from being a symbol of criminal activity to a revered piece of Americana. Its iconic design and historical significance have cemented its place in the annals of firearms history, ensuring that its legacy will endure for years to come.
I hope you enjoyed this episode of Loadout as we take a deep dive into one of the most historic SMGs.
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(Where we may or may not be discussing one of Jonathan's favourite weapons…)
This has turned into one of the most informative gun channels on Youtube. I love GunSpot
>sneaky beaky
ayyyyy, a 40k fan
Uhhhh – Ahoy thar mateys
Seems strange the m1 carbine was made more than the m1 garand
The reputation of the Thompson as a gun for good guys and gangsters is similar to today's views of the AR-15 in my opinion. I find it hard to picture a current American soldier without a trusty M4 or M16, but the civilian AR is also seen as a terror weapon by many "anti-gunners" today and is used to push gun legislation, much like the tommy gun and the NFA.
Little fun fact,the $200 tax stamp on NFA items is because legislators couldn't outright ban it and because the Thompson was so popular.
I think the silver shroud is the perfect embodiment of the Thompson because he's this mafia dressed superhero
Love it!
In Girls Frontline Thompson Submachine gun she talks about her rowdy days in the 20s and 30s
That front grip on the Model 1921 always looks like it's hanging on by just a thread.
Most games also do not insert the drum magazine properly. It's meant to slide in from the side, not up from the bottom like a stick magazine does, but in nearly every depiction, it's popped in from underneath. Even the ones that do do the side-insertion does so without any fiddle or issue, something that is VERY much not the case in reality.
Of course, this is a question of time and balance. Spending 4-5 seconds getting your magazine in the proper way would never fly with the players.
From my experience at ranges, the Thompson M1 is fairly controllable.
5:40 That's not simply a "Stylish Pose" it's also a reference to the Michael Jackson music video for the song Smooth Criminal
I like the Ahoy version more
THEY CLICKED ON THE VIDEO! RATTLE 'EM, BOYS!
@IrregularDave Can you get Johnathan to tell us about the history of the Owen gun? please?
Been waiting for this iconic submachine gun to make an appearance on loadout. 2 recognizable profiles in popular culture and entertainment. It was the gun that made the twenties roar with names like Al Capone, John Dillinger, Verne Miller, Baby face Nelson, and Jack Mcgurne. The Chicago police still have the actual Thompson submachine guns used in the St Valentine’s Day Massacre. Though sadly its creator and his son never would live to see it finally receive military purchases for the US military. It has a better niche in entertainment and video games I believe due to it having ties to the era of organized crime/motorized bandits and the US submachine gun for WW2 as opposed to other submachine guns like the German MP40 and British sten as they were more tied to WW2. But it is a very welcome sight to see in video games and movies when given the opportunity.
do the weopons of decaying winter
I love the Tommy Gun
I'm glad you addressed Fallout 4. The Silver Shroud is a fictional character of the setting, a noir detective vigilante who uses a unique model of what I would assume was supposed to be the 1928 version. It's fun going around in the costume, though I tend to cheat and swap out the "Silver Shooter" for the 'explodes on impact' Pray N Spray legendary version.
Timesplitters 2 and Future Perfect are also very close to my heart, and hark back to an era of shooters that just don't see much life nowadays.
Small mistake at 10:18 where a m14 is used as the graphic for the m1 carbine
It'd be interesting (but perhaps beyond the scope of this channel, maybe better for Forgotten Weapons or the Armouries main channel) to talk about the impact the Tommy Gun had on American perceptions of guns and their gun laws.
Maybe I'm off my hinges, but I believe you.
The Thompson crops up in the oddest and most anachronistic places on film, most notably to me in 1970's "too Late the Hero" starring Michael Caine. It's a British force, found from a Scottish regiment (maybe London Scottish considering there's a cockney in it…) on a Pacific island (?) fighting the Japanese with the aid of an America (just the one mind) and with Tommy guns a couple of years after they'd been withdrawn in favour of the Sten.
There's a clip somewhere of former Fusilier Micklewhite saying how heavy it was compared with the Sten he had in Korea.
Thompson is basically a gangsta squad support weapon