Wikipedia
The Thompson submachine gun is an American submachine gun, invented by John T. Thompson in 1918, that became infamous during the Prohibition era. It was a common sight in the media of the time, being used by both law enforcement officers and criminals. The Thompson submachine gun was also known informally as the "Tommy Gun", "Trench Broom", "Trench Sweeper", "Chicago Typewriter", "Chicago Piano", "Chicago Style", "Chicago Organ Grinder", "The Chopper" and simply "The Thompson".
The Thompson was favored by soldiers, criminals, police, and civilians alike for its large .45 ACP cartridge, accuracy, and high volume of automatic fire. It has since gained popularity among civilian collectors for its historical significance. It has had, and continues to have, considerable significance in popular culture, especially in works about the U.S.'s Prohibition era and World War II, and hence is among the best-known firearms in recent history.
Usage examples of "thompson submachine gun".
How familiar were these two evil-smelling Brigantes with a Thompson submachine gun?
McCoy raised the side window of the L-19, then opened the door, got out, and reached back inside and came out with a Thompson submachine gun.
I learned too late to do anything about it that neither of them had ever fired a Thompson submachine gun.
He smashed the glass of a locked gun cabinet and picked up an old Thompson submachine gun.
His weapon, a Thompson submachine gun, whose round magazine made him look like a hoodlum from one of those gangster movies that were all the rage before the war, was frozen in his hands.
And then he blew a whistle as he jumped up and charged toward the enemy, firing a Thompson submachine gun from the hip.
The largest area was in her right shoulder, from the recoil of the Springfield rifle, and the Garand rifle, and the Winchester shotgun, and the Thompson submachine gun she had fired on the range.
Then he climbed onto the pier, on his stomach, with his Thompson submachine gun at the ready.
Most of them had Spring-fields, but here and there was a Thompson submachine gun.
He was posing ferociously with a Thompson submachine gun in one hand and a K-bar knife in the other.
Meanwhile Lieutenant Macklin relieved him of the Thompson submachine gun.