Numrich also supplied parts for Thompson guns to law enforcement and gun collectors. Numrich Arms Auto-Ordnance assembled limited numbers of Thompson submachine guns primarily for law enforcement from existing receivers found in the crates purchased in 1951, including M1928A1 and M1A1 models. Later, it became popular for use in urban environments due to its short barrel making it easier to bring to target in a confined space than the M1 Garand, and in jungle warfare due to its volume of fire and stopping power.ĭuring the 1950s, the assets of the original Auto-Ordnance Company were acquired and operated by Numrich Arms Corporation (NAC, no relation to the original 1916 AOC). The Thompson M1A1 was typically issued to tankers and others affiliated with vehicles, due to the weapon's heavy weight and short effective range. Auto-Ordnance also made parts for other military firearms as a subcontractor for other manufacturers in World War II. Later during World War II, Auto-Ordnance established its own production plant in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and produced the M1928A1, M1 and M1A1 Thompsons to augment production by Savage Arms for the military. 30 carbine trials in the early 1940s but these were not adopted by the military. Prototypes Īuto-Ordnance produced different prototypes for military rifle trials in the 1920s and for the. A small run of M1928 and M1928A1 made by Savage Arms were stamped 'TOMMY GUN'.

After the Thompson submachine gun received the nickname 'Tommy Gun' in the popular press, Thompson went to the trademark office to protect the nickname. The initial production of the Model 1921 was by Colt. Thompson first showed the submachine gun design to the US government, but it became a gun for law enforcement before it was put to use in the military. The first short run production model was 1919, too late for use in World War I. The birth of the Thompson submachine gun took place when Thompson had the idea of a 'trench sweeper' or 'trench broom'. 30-06 rifle cartridge but very effective with the. The engineers learned that the Blish lock design, which was a delayed blowback action, was ineffective with the. Thompson hired two design engineers Theodore H. In exchange for shares of the newly founded company Blish agreed to give Thompson his patent. In 1915 Thompson had found the Blish Lock patent of Commander John Blish, which was the operating principle of the first prototypes of the Thompson submachine gun and the Thompson Autorifle. Thompson in August 1916 with the backing of investor Thomas Ryan. Auto-Ordnance Corporation was created by John T.

Auto ordnance 1927 m1sb