Thompson M1928

Silhouette (Visual Identification)

Technical Specifications

Category	Submachine Guns
Operating system	blowback operated, automatic
Cartridge	.45 ACP
Length	857 mm
Feeding	drum magazine or box magazine

The American Thompson M1928 was produced between 1921 and 1945. The submachine gun, also known as the “Tommy Gun”, was popular amongst civilians, police, and criminals and military alike because of its large .45 ACP cartridges, accuracy, and high volume of automatic fire. Approximately 2,000,000 units have been produced and also exported to numerous countries worldwide.

Global distribution map

Weapon prevalence

Country of origin

Licensed production

Production without a license

Scale dependend aggregation of production sites

The Thompson M1928 is found in 33 countries according to our data.

This map is a reflection of data on global distribution and production provided primarily by the BwVC. It is not exhaustive. If you would like to add to or amend the data, please click here.

Global distribution list

The data on global distribution and production is provided primarily by the BwVC, but also from national and regional focal points on SALW control; data published by think tanks, international organizations and experts; and/or data provided by individual researchers on SALW. It is not exhaustive. If you would like to add to or amend the data, please click here.

Symbol legend

	Country of origin
	Licensed production
	Production without a licence

G	Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by Governmental agencies.
N	Non-Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by non-Governmental armed groups.
U	Unspecified: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is found in the country, but do not specify whether it is held by Governmental agencies or non-Governmental armed groups.

It is entirely possible to have a combination of tags beside each country. For example, if country X is tagged with a G and a U, it means that at least one source of data identifies Governmental agencies as holders of weapon type Y, and at least one other source confirms the presence of the weapon in country X without specifying who holds it.