Thompson M1928

Lore & Background

The Thompson M1928, better known as the 'Tommy Gun,' is a legendary firearm born from Prohibition's bloody streets, and it looms large in the Mafia series. In Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven, it's the heavy fist of the Salieri family—a weapon that Tommy Angelo can wrest from fallen enemies or discover stashed in hidden caches. Its wooden stock, finned barrel, and circular drum magazine are unmistakable, a symbol of power that turns alleys into killing grounds. When rival gangsters carry it, you hear it before you see it: a throaty, chattering roar that spells trouble.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the cobblestones as Tommy Angelo crouched behind a crate, the Thompson M1928 heavy in his hands. The drum magazine was full, a promise of lead for the Salieri family's enemies. He squeezed the trigger, and the gun roared—a deep, rhythmic chatter that bounced off brick walls. Muzzle flash painted the alley in strobes of white, each burst a declaration: this was his city, and the Tommy Gun was his voice.

Reader's Guide

The Thompson M1928 is a high-damage, fully automatic submachine gun that dominates close to medium-range combat. Its 50-round drum magazine lets you lay down sustained fire without constant reloads, but the recoil kicks hard, making long-range accuracy a gamble. Use it to clear rooms, suppress groups, or shred through car doors during drive-bys. In Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven, it's a rare prize—you'll need to pry it from heavily armed enemies or hunt down hidden stashes. In Mafia II, it's a staple, sold at gun shops or dropped by police and gangsters. Its blistering rate of fire chews through ammo fast, so keep a reserve or risk going silent mid-fight.

Did You Know?

• The Thompson M1928 is based on the real-world Thompson submachine gun, which was used by both criminals and law enforcement in the 1920s and 1930s.
• In Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven, the Thompson M1928 is one of the few weapons that can be dual-wielded in certain mods, though not in the base game.
• The weapon's nickname 'Chicago Typewriter' comes from its distinctive sound when fired—a rapid, clattering rattle that echoes the keys of an old typewriter.
• In Mafia II, the Thompson M1928 cannot be customized with a foregrip or suppressor in any official version of the game.

Origins and Conceptual Definition

The submachine gun emerged as a distinct class of automatic firearm designed specifically to fire handgun cartridges, differentiating it from traditional machine guns that utilize rifle ammunition. This category was formally named by inventor John T. Thompson, who coined the term to describe an automatic weapon with significantly less firepower than standard machine guns, hence the prefix 'sub-'. While some international sources classify these as 'machine carbines' or German-speaking regions refer to them as 'Maschinenpistole' (machine pistols), the core concept remains a magazine-fed automatic carbine. The development of this weaponry was driven by the need for close-quarter offensive capabilities, particularly during trench warfare in World War I. Early prototypes and patents from the late 19th century laid the groundwork, but it was not until the early 20th century that practical designs began to materialize. These weapons were intended for assault troops and auxiliaries requiring suppressive fire at short ranges, eventually becoming a staple for special forces and mechanized infantry during the Cold War era before their frontline usage declined in the late 20th century.

Evolution During World War I

The First World War served as the crucible for the submachine gun's practical application, transforming theoretical concepts into battlefield realities. Early attempts included modified pistols with stocks and experimental automatic conversions by inventors like Manuel Navarro and Abiel Revelli. The Italian FIAT Mod. Utilizing a 32-round snail-drum magazine, it became integral to German stormtrooper infiltration tactics during the war's final year. Although these weapons could not prevent Germany's ultimate defeat, the MP 18 established design principles that heavily influenced subsequent models like the Lanchester and Sten, proving the viability of automatic pistol-caliber firearms for close-quarters combat.

The Thompson M1921 and Prohibition Era

While the Thompson submachine gun was developed concurrently with early European designs, it missed its opportunity to see action in World War I due to the conflict's end before prototypes could be deployed overseas. Entering production as the M1921, this weapon became infamous during the interwar period, particularly within the United States. The Thompson found immediate use by law enforcement agencies like the West Virginia state police during the Battle of Blair Mountain and was sought after by paramilitary groups such as the Irish Republican Army, though many units were seized by customs officials. Nicknamed the 'Tommy Gun' or 'Chicago Typewriter,' it became a cultural icon associated with organized crime during the Prohibition era. Despite missing its initial military window, the Thompson's robust design and reliability made it far more successful than earlier WWI-era submachine guns, laying the foundation for future automatic carbine developments.

Strategic Impact and Historical Trajectory

The strategic role of the submachine gun evolved dramatically from its niche origins in trench raiding to becoming a mass-produced staple during World War II. By the mid-20th century, millions of these weapons were manufactured globally to support doctrines emphasizing close-quarter suppressive fire for assault troops and auxiliary units. The versatility of the design allowed it to remain relevant through the Cold War, where new models frequently appeared to equip commandos, special forces, and mechanized infantry. However, as military tactics shifted and rifle technology advanced, the utility of submachine guns on the frontline began to wane during the 1980s and 1990s. Despite this decline in general combat usage, specific subsets like personal defense weapons continued to fill specialized roles. The historical trajectory of the submachine gun reflects a unique adaptation to changing warfare needs, transitioning from an experimental close-range solution to a ubiquitous symbol of modern automatic firepower before eventually yielding ground to more versatile assault rifles.

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