What Gangster Used Tommy Gun?

The Thompson submachine gun, commonly known as the "Tommy Gun", became the weapon of choice for gangsters during the Prohibition era in the 1920s and 1930s. Here is a detailed look at the history and use of the Tommy Gun by infamous gangsters.

Brief History of the Tommy Gun

• Invented in 1919 by General John T. Thompson, initially envisioned for trench warfare in WWI.

• Adopted by US Army in 1938, saw action in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

• Fires .45 ACP rounds, rate of fire 600-1500 rounds per minute.

• Available with 20, 30, 50 or 100 round magazines.

• Nicknamed "Trench Broom", "Chicago Typewriter", "Chopper".

Gangsters Who Used the Tommy Gun

• Al Capone – The most infamous gangster to wield the Tommy Gun. Used it in the St. Valentine‘s Day Massacre. His personalized "Cadillac" model sold for over $1 million at auction.

• John Dillinger – Legendary 1930s bank robber. Posed for famous photo with Tommy Gun. Used it in shootouts with police.

• George "Machine Gun" Kelly – His nickname came from favoring the Tommy Gun. Used it in kidnappings during the Depression era.

• Frank McErlane – Chicago gangster, early adopter of the Tommy Gun. Credited with introducing it to the city‘s underworld.

• Baby Face Nelson – Notorious robber and murderer, died in shootout with Tommy Gun. Used 50 round drums for heavy firepower.

Why Gangsters Loved the Tommy Gun

• High rate of fire for deadly force at close range

• Large drum magazines held 50+ rounds without reloading

• Portability compared to other full auto weapons of the era

• Intimidation factor of the iconic weapon

• Provided an advantage versus the revolvers used by police

• Handy size could be concealed under a long coat

The Thompson in Pop Culture

• Featured in classic gangster movies like Scarface, The Untouchables, Public Enemies

• Used as shorthand to identify gangsters in TV, comics and video games

• Often depicted with drum magazines or violin cases

• Personified as a gangster named "Tommy Gun" in some cartoons

• Cemented its status as the go-to weapon of Prohibition bootleggers and bank robbers

The Tommy Gun Legacy

• Will forever be associated with the gangland violence of the 1920s and 30s

• Demonstrated the devastating firepower of mass produced automatic weapons

• Banned from new civilian sales in the US National Firearms Act of 1934

• Still coveted and collected by firearms enthusiasts today

• Remains a iconic symbol of the American gangster era

The Tommy Gun left an indelible mark on history as it unleashed a storm of lead in the hands of criminals. Though designed for war, its criminal legacy far exceeded its military use. The very sight of the gangster‘s "chopper" still conjures up images of fedoras and pinstripe suits today.