The Thompson Submachine Gun: From Prohibition Chicago to World War II

by Martin Pegler, Peter Dennis (Illustrator)

Overview

Osprey's new Weapon series provides a highly-detailed yet affordable overview of the development, use, and impact of small arms throughout history - from the sword to the machine gun.

Learn the true story of one of history's most well travelled weapons. Developed late in World War I (1914-1918) to be a fearsome trench-warfare weapon, the Thompson submachine gun's fame and success came in unexpected quarters. An iconic and innovative design, the M1921 Thompson was soon adopted by Prohibition-era gangs and used ruthlessly on the streets of New York and Chicago. But its military career was relaunched with the outbreak of World War II (1939-1945), used by armies, commandos and resistance groups worldwide.

Using expert knowledge and first-hand accounts, this chronicle of one of the world's greatest submachine guns analyzes the Thompson's development, its legacy, and the experiences of the men who used it in combat. Features rare photographs and original artwork by Peter Dennis.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849081498
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	09/21/2010
Series:	Weapon , #1
Pages:	80
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.30(d)

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. Martin has established The Somme Historical Centre (www.martinpegler.com), where visitors can see the technology used in the 1914-18 trench warfare. He is currently an author and firearms consultant and he also lectures at local Great War museums.

He is the author of a number of books including The Military Sniper since 1914 (Osprey, 2001), Firearms in the American West 1700-1900 (The Crowood Press, 2002), and the highly acclaimed Out of Nowhere: A History of the Military Sniper (Osprey, 2004). In the 1980s he had the privilege of interviewing many World War I veterans about their wartime experiences, and the recordings are now part of the sound archives of the Imperial War Museum, London.

Peter Dennis was inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look and Learn, leading him to study Illustration at Liverpool Art College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects, including many Osprey titles. A keen wargamer and modelmaker, he is based in Nottinghamshire, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

Development 7

'A one-man, hand-held machine gun'

Use 37

The weapon of choice for criminals and Commandos

Impact 72

A celebrity submachine gun

Select Bibliography 79

Index 80

Editorial Reviews

Will appeal to those interested in firearms and to people interested in 1920s era shootouts between law enforcement and gangsters.” —Greater Games Industry (Spring 2011)

“The book chronicles the history of the world's greatest well travelled gun analyzing its development, its legacy and firsthand accounts of the men who used it in combat. [Martin Pegler] provides detailed information on the experiences of actually firing the Tommy gun in combat, how effective it was in battle and what could go wrong.” —www.mataka.org (November 2010)

“Provides a finely detailed review of the development, use, and impact of small arms throughout history. Expert knowledge and first-hand accounts contribute to the analysis of the Thompson's development and those who used it, making for an outstanding survey recommended for any military collection.” —The Midwest Book Review (November 2010)

“In this book on the Thompson, author Martin Pegler covers the development, early years and modifications done to the gun. It also covers the use of the Thompson by both civilians and the military. Finally, a look at the impact of the gun is covered. I guess we could easily say that thanks to Hollywood, most people of the time knew about this weapon. It is a superb book that is fascinating to read. A great start to a new series and one that I am positive you will enjoy. Highly recommended.” —Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness

From the Publisher