
This concept was used in all Thompson submachine guns except for the M1 and M1A1 (which were simple blowback operated). As the pressure dropped, the faces were able to slide again and the wedge would continue to move up the slope. Under high pressure, such as when the cartridge fired, the angle of the slope was such that the mating faces jammed solid. The ‘Blish’ lock was a delayed blowback breech system in which a sloping metal wedge interlocked the breech block with the gun body. His developments in submachine guns began with the purchase of the John Blish patent (1915), that described a specific kind of delayed blowback operation, known as a ‘Blish lock’. After retirement, he founded the Auto Ordnance Corp in 1916 with a view to develop an ‘automatic rifle’. The Thompson submachine gun or “Tommy gun”, was invented by US Colonel John T. Side-by-side comparison between M1928A1 (left) and M1 (right) Thompson submachine guns.Ĭontrols of M1928A1 submachine gun M1 controls were in same positions but withlevers of simplified shape. Thompson M1A1 submachine gun with 30-round magazine.

Thompson M1 submachine gun with 20-round magazine. Thompson Model 1928A1 submachine gun, wartime production (simple, non-adjustable and non-protected rear sight and plain barrel). Thompson Model 1928A1 submachine gun with 20-round box magazine and Cutts compensator. Thompson Model 1928 submachine gun with 50-round drum magazine and Cutts compensator.

Thompson experimental Model 1923 “Military model” submachine gun, for special. Thompson Submachine gun, Model 1921 with 20-round box (“stick”)magazine.
