Colonel John T. Thompson: The Father of the Tommy Gun


Colonel John T. Thompson is... A pioneering figure in the American firearms industry, Colonel John T. Thompson is best known for his eponymous submachine gun. Developed in the early 1900s, the Thompson submachine gun, or Tommy gun, revolutionized modern warfare with its high rate of fire and practicality in Close Quarters Combat.

The Genesis of the Tommy Gun

The story of the Thompson submachine gun began in the early 1900s, when Colonel John T. Thompson, a former cavalry officer and later a wealthy businessman, became fascinated with the concept of a portable machine gun.

Thompson saw an opportunity to develop a handheld version of the Maxim machine gun, a heavier machine gun that could be mounted on a cart or tripod, but lighter and more versatile for military use.

Thompson enlisted the help of Theodore H. Eickhoff, a mechanical engineer, and Oscar V. Payne, a chemist and inventor, to bring his vision to life.

Lt. Col. Johnny Thompson
Lt. Col. Johnny Thompson

Development and Production

The development of the Thompson submachine gun was a long and arduous process. Thompson experimented with various prototypes and designs before arriving at the final product.

One of the key innovations of the Tommy gun was its use of a cyclic operation system, which allowed the gun to fire hundreds of rounds per minute without a significant increase in weight or size.

The first production models of the Thompson submachine gun were reportedly made in 1920 and were primarily marketed to law enforcement and military agencies.

a man in a kilt walking down the street
a man in a kilt walking down the street

Pioneer of Modern Firearms

Arguably, Colonel John T. Thompson pioneered the modern firearms industry with the development and marketing of the Tommy gun.

  • With its easily removable and replaceable magazines, the Thompson submachine gun was one of the first firearms to popularize the concept of magazine-fed semi-automatic firearms.
  • Similar to many modern submachine guns, the Thompson was designed to fire pistol cartridges – .45 ACP in its original design.

Comparison of Key Features

Characteristic Thompson Submachine Gun (original .45) Thompson M1 (Later .45 and Various)
Caliber .45 ACP .45 ACP and later various other calibers
Rate of Fire 600-800 rounds per minute 600-750 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 50-round box magazine 30-round box magazine, and later 50-round drum magazine
Weight 10 lbs 10.5-11.2 lbs

Key Variations Over Time

A notable variant of the Thompson submachine gun was the late 1940s commercial product, primarily produced, but very few produced quantity of production in the US following the end of World War II - to meet growing civilian demand after its popular use by military forces.

Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, the King’s equerry, paid his respects at the cenotaph on Sunday
Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, the King’s equerry, paid his respects at the cenotaph on Sunday
a man in uniform is smiling and holding a gold chain around his neck while standing next to a poster
a man in uniform is smiling and holding a gold chain around his neck while standing next to a poster
John Taliaferro Italian pronunciation: [ˌtaljaˈfɛrro] (anglicized to "Tolliver"[1]) Thompson (December 31, 1860 – June 21, 1940) was a United States Army officer best remembered as the inventor of the Thompson submachine gun. Military Academy, Kentucky, United States Military Academy, Service Medals, Picture Of Jj Thomson, American Heroes, John Thompson, Army Post, Horse Photographer
John Taliaferro Italian pronunciation: [ˌtaljaˈfɛrro] (anglicized to "Tolliver"[1]) Thompson (December 31, 1860 – June 21, 1940) was a United States Army officer best remembered as the inventor of the Thompson submachine gun. Military Academy, Kentucky, United States Military Academy, Service Medals, Picture Of Jj Thomson, American Heroes, John Thompson, Army Post, Horse Photographer
a man in a kilt is standing on the street with other people behind him
a man in a kilt is standing on the street with other people behind him
a man in a suit and tie looking off into the distance with his hand on his chin
a man in a suit and tie looking off into the distance with his hand on his chin
a man in a suit and tie taking a selfie
a man in a suit and tie taking a selfie
Royal Family England, Men In Kilts, Prince Charles And Camilla, Royal Family Trees, Kate Middleton Family, British Gentleman, Her Majesty The Queen, British Royal Family Tree, Middleton Family
Royal Family England, Men In Kilts, Prince Charles And Camilla, Royal Family Trees, Kate Middleton Family, British Gentleman, Her Majesty The Queen, British Royal Family Tree, Middleton Family
Young Lt Colonel Johnny Thompson carrying a baby
Young Lt Colonel Johnny Thompson carrying a baby
a man in uniform standing next to another man
a man in uniform standing next to another man
Johnny Thompson, Major Johnny Thompson, Tony Armstrong Jones The Crown, Johnny Thompson Equerry, Major Jonathan Thompson, Lt Col Johnny Thompson, Jonathan Thompson, Lt Colonel Johnny Thompson, Lexington Uss Lexington Cc-1
Johnny Thompson, Major Johnny Thompson, Tony Armstrong Jones The Crown, Johnny Thompson Equerry, Major Jonathan Thompson, Lt Col Johnny Thompson, Jonathan Thompson, Lt Colonel Johnny Thompson, Lexington Uss Lexington Cc-1
a man in a kilt standing next to other people and looking at the camera
a man in a kilt standing next to other people and looking at the camera
a man wearing a suit and tie standing in front of a building with trees behind him
a man wearing a suit and tie standing in front of a building with trees behind him
Lt Colonel Johnny Thompson
Lt Colonel Johnny Thompson
King Charles’ ‘hot equerry’ Major Johnny Thompson announces engagement
King Charles’ ‘hot equerry’ Major Johnny Thompson announces engagement
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a man in a suit and tie smiles at the camera while standing on some grass
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two men in kilts standing next to each other
James Earl Of Wexess, Lt Colonel Johnny Thompson, British Military Uniform, Lord Frederick Charles Wellesley, Jonathan Thompson, Major Jonathan Thompson, British Guard Meme, Lt Col Johnny Thompson, Major Johnny Thompson
James Earl Of Wexess, Lt Colonel Johnny Thompson, British Military Uniform, Lord Frederick Charles Wellesley, Jonathan Thompson, Major Jonathan Thompson, British Guard Meme, Lt Col Johnny Thompson, Major Johnny Thompson
Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson spotted out and about with new beau Olivia Lewis
Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson spotted out and about with new beau Olivia Lewis
two men in kilts are walking down the street with people watching from behind them
two men in kilts are walking down the street with people watching from behind them
Colonel John Thompson Brown, 1st Virginia Artillery, the "Richond Howitzers'". Killed at the Battle of the Wilderness. Preserved since his death May 5, 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness. A Union non-commissioned officer, Sergeant Watson from Michigan, removed the coat from Brown's body and took it back home where it had been held in his family until just ten years ago. Provenance: Watson Family, Tharpe Collection of American Military History Exhibited: The Liberty Heritage Society Museum 1850s Military Uniform, Union Officer Uniform, Rough Riders Uniforms, 19th Century Military Uniform, Union Uniforms, Regimental Coat, Union Army Uniform, Union Coat, Historical Military Uniforms
Colonel John Thompson Brown, 1st Virginia Artillery, the "Richond Howitzers'". Killed at the Battle of the Wilderness. Preserved since his death May 5, 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness. A Union non-commissioned officer, Sergeant Watson from Michigan, removed the coat from Brown's body and took it back home where it had been held in his family until just ten years ago. Provenance: Watson Family, Tharpe Collection of American Military History Exhibited: The Liberty Heritage Society Museum 1850s Military Uniform, Union Officer Uniform, Rough Riders Uniforms, 19th Century Military Uniform, Union Uniforms, Regimental Coat, Union Army Uniform, Union Coat, Historical Military Uniforms
a close up of a person wearing a suit and tie
a close up of a person wearing a suit and tie
British Military Beret Colors, Dominic West The Crown, Major Johnny Thompson, Tony Armstrong Jones The Crown, British Army Moustache, Major Jonathan Thompson, David Berry, British Army Beret, David Berry Lord John Grey
British Military Beret Colors, Dominic West The Crown, Major Johnny Thompson, Tony Armstrong Jones The Crown, British Army Moustache, Major Jonathan Thompson, David Berry, British Army Beret, David Berry Lord John Grey
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a close up of a man wearing a hat and tie with the caption that reads, there is no image here
two men in suits and ties are standing next to each other near some flags on the street
two men in suits and ties are standing next to each other near some flags on the street