machine guns pre 1934

gunboy 3 · May 28, 2001, 05:31 PM

I read online (Unofficial Tommy Gun Page) that Thompson sub-machine guns were sold in hardware stores. Is anyone out there in possession of a link or reference that would show this?

C.R.Sam · May 28, 2001, 06:28 PM

No link but in the days of yore, hardware and general mercantile stores were the primary place to buy firearms. Thompsons had a fair amount of popularity among farmers and ranchers for pest control.

We could still usem for "pest" control

Sam

burrhead · May 28, 2001, 07:23 PM

I don't know about Thompsons but the only retail gun outlet within 160 miles of my home is the local True Value hardware store. And they have a very good selection to boot.

Jay Baker · May 28, 2001, 07:27 PM

Back in the good 'ol days, you could buy a Thompson, or about anythig else, through the mail. Now, the communistnazis have just about destroyed the Constitution. Ahhh, the good ol' days.... J.B.

blades67 · May 28, 2001, 07:27 PM

Prior to 1968 you could still order a gun from Sears and the mailman would bring it to your door without a second thought.

Cosmoline · May 28, 2001, 07:28 PM

One of the best sources of info is William Helmer's book "The Gun That Made the Twenties Roar". Before the Federal Firearms Act, there were only a few local restrictions on full auto ownership. However, gangsters still had to buy through a straw man because nobody would have sold to them directly. On a side note, Thompsons were no where near as common as the movies would suggest. 99% of bootleggers never owned one, and those who did own them couldn't shoot worth crap. In one case, over 1,000 rounds were fired from a Thompson in a Chicago gangland shootout. The result? One bystander slightly injured. They worked much better when the gangsters could line their enemies against a wall and fire at point-blank range.

BigG · May 28, 2001, 09:15 PM

The original run of Thompson guns from 1921 - 28 Models (10,000) units languished and mostly remained unsold until WWII. The Auto Ordnance Co. had the guns built by Colt. The Tommy Gun came into its own when the gomit bought em for WWII.

ArmySon · May 28, 2001, 09:29 PM

Moving to the Full Auto forum.

beemerb · May 28, 2001, 09:42 PM

A lot of the big name gangsters prefered the BAR and would raid NG armories to get them.

James K · May 28, 2001, 10:30 PM

Thompsons were quite legal at that time and could be sold in sporting goods and hardware stores, but were rarely stocked because of the high dollar cost. One price I have seen was $225, when a dollar was worth 25-30 of today's dollars.

Actually the TSMG was effectively off the market prior to 1934 as the company policy after 1931 was to sell only to LE agencies, military, and institutions requiring them for security purposes.

Jim

May 28, 2001, 07:23 PM	#3
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	I don't know about Thompsons but the only retail gun outlet within 160 miles of my home is the local True Value hardware store. And they have a very good selection to boot. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

May 28, 2001, 07:27 PM	#5
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	Prior to 1968 you could still order a gun from Sears and the mailman would bring it to your door without a second thought. __________________ Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat! I hunt, therefore I am.

May 28, 2001, 09:15 PM	#7
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	The original run of Thompson guns from 1921 - 28 Models (10,000) units languished and mostly remained unsold until WWII. The Auto Ordnance Co. had the guns built by Colt. The Tommy Gun came into its own when the gomit bought em for WWII. __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

May 28, 2001, 05:31 PM	#1
gunboy 3 Member Join Date: May 28, 2000 Location: Alexandria VA USA Posts: 40	I read online (Unofficial Tommy Gun Page) that Thompson sub-machine guns were sold in hardware stores. Is anyone out there in possession of a link or reference that would show this?

May 28, 2001, 06:28 PM	#2
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	No link but in the days of yore, hardware and general mercantile stores were the primary place to buy firearms. Thompsons had a fair amount of popularity among farmers and ranchers for pest control. We could still usem for "pest" control Sam

May 28, 2001, 07:27 PM	#4
Jay Baker Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2000 Location: S.W. Idaho Posts: 1,294	Back in the good 'ol days, you could buy a Thompson, or about anythig else, through the mail. Now, the communistnazis have just about destroyed the Constitution. Ahhh, the good ol' days.... J.B.

May 28, 2001, 07:28 PM	#6
Cosmoline Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2000 Posts: 1,080	One of the best sources of info is William Helmer's book "The Gun That Made the Twenties Roar". Before the Federal Firearms Act, there were only a few local restrictions on full auto ownership. However, gangsters still had to buy through a straw man because nobody would have sold to them directly. On a side note, Thompsons were no where near as common as the movies would suggest. 99% of bootleggers never owned one, and those who did own them couldn't shoot worth crap. In one case, over 1,000 rounds were fired from a Thompson in a Chicago gangland shootout. The result? One bystander slightly injured. They worked much better when the gangsters could line their enemies against a wall and fire at point-blank range.

May 28, 2001, 09:29 PM	#8
ArmySon Staff Alumnus Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 2,926	Moving to the Full Auto forum.

May 28, 2001, 09:42 PM	#9
beemerb Junior member Join Date: October 2, 1999 Location: AZ Posts: 1,759	A lot of the big name gangsters prefered the BAR and would raid NG armories to get them.

May 28, 2001, 10:30 PM	#10
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Thompsons were quite legal at that time and could be sold in sporting goods and hardware stores, but were rarely stocked because of the high dollar cost. One price I have seen was $225, when a dollar was worth 25-30 of today's dollars. Actually the TSMG was effectively off the market prior to 1934 as the company policy after 1931 was to sell only to LE agencies, military, and institutions requiring them for security purposes. Jim