The Thompson submachine gun became the ultimate symbol of Prohibition-era Chicago gang wars and Hollywood movies. Gangsters adored the "Tommy Gun" for its devastating close-range firepower, while army generals rejected it for years due to its massive weight, mechanical complexity, and astronomical price.

But how did this capitalist weapon of the mafia end up in the service of Soviet secret police, guarding the Kremlin long before WWII? We break down the design history, the combat flaws, and the secret Soviet purchases of the legendary Thompson submachine gun.

In this video:
• Ideal for the Mob: Why gangsters were willing to pay the price of a brand-new car for a Tommy Gun, and how the 50-round drum magazine decided street shootouts.
• A Nightmare for the Army: Why soldiers cursed the heavy seven-kilogram gun, which jammed instantly from the slightest trench dust and mud.
• The Kremlin's Secret Order: How and why the Soviet Union secretly purchased a batch of American submachine guns as early as nineteen twenty-four.
• Wartime Evolution: Why, in the midst of World War II, engineers had to urgently abandon the expensive drums and simplify the weapon for the frontlines.

Question to the audience: Do you think the Thompson was truly an outstanding weapon of its era, or is its immortal fame merely the result of Hollywood cinema and gangster mythology? Share your opinion in the comments!