By all accounts, the Thompson submachine gun was a financial disaster.ĭuring the late 1930s, war clouds were gathering in Europe. In the years following the Thompson’s production, the Auto-Ordnance Corporation was deep in debt. The Thompson would have to wait for nearly 20 more years for its widespread acceptance by the U.S. By all appearances, the concept of the Thompson submachine gun was a failure. In the end, Thompson sales were very slow, and with the bad publicity, the future of Auto-Ordnance Corporation appeared quite bleak.
Although the Thompson was tested by the U.S. These were nothing other than 1921 Models that were reconfigured to promote sales. Later, due to slow sales, Auto-Ordnance reinvented the Thompson with the introduction of “new” models. Colt was subcontracted by the Auto-Ordnance Corporation that did not have any facilities to manufacture the weapon. The first Thompsons made infamous by the likes of John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and others were manufactured by Colts’ Patent Fire Arms in 1921-1922. Although somewhat true, its criminal use has overshadowed the Thompson’s service in World War II by the United States and many of her allies. It was made popular by television shows from the 1960s and was often envisioned around the world as a “gangster’s” gun primarily used by criminals. The Thompson submachine gun needs no introduction to most firearm enthusiasts. Choosing a Thompson: What Collectors Should Know