They picked a Model of 1921 Thompson (SN 10384), and also one converted to 1928 configuration with Cutts compensator (SN 10171). The CEV pulled 2 of the Thompsons from the order of 3,000 to perform an additional accuracy evaluation. This was great news to Russell Maguire, who had just acquired Auto-Ordnance, and who led the company through the World War II years. Most were Model of 1921 A’s (without Cutts compensator), along with a few previously reconfigured Model of 1928s. The French government put preferences aside, and ordered 3,000 Thompsons off the shelf, all of which were delivered in early 1940. Late in 1939, with a pending French national emergency, weapons were needed quickly. The CEV decided not to adopt the Thompson in any form. The commission did not favor the high cyclic rate, desiring a slower 500 rpm rate. ![]() Upon disassembly after testing, the Blish lock was found broken. This Thompson was tested with over 5,500 cartridges fired, producing generally good results, except that a particular magazine produced many problems. ![]() In January 1927, a new, European style BSA Thompson in 9mm was delivered to the CEV by the French military attaché in Washington. Many failures occurred and testing ceased after 233 rounds as a result of the substituted extractor becoming bent as well as a broken breech oiler. No spare parts had been shipped, so the extractor from the. 351 Thompson, the extractor broke after 10 rounds were fired. The commission was impressed with the weight comparison of the TSMG recoiling parts vs. 45, and these were tested again by the CEV in 1926. 351 caliber Thompsons were ordered for further testing.Īuto-Ordnance eventually delivered one. cartridge conflicted with a major goal of the CEV, which wanted service pistols and submachine guns to share cartridges. The CEV also theorized the caliber would better utilize the Blish locking system. The cartridge existed in French military inventory due to its previous use by World War I observers armed with Winchester carbines. 351 Winchester cartridge, which was featured as an option in the 1923 Auto-Ordnance catalog. The CEV concluded that, even though they favored a 9mm submachine gun, they were interested in testing a Thompson chambered for the. Better accuracy results were obtained in semiautomatic fire with the Model of 1923 however the Model of 1921 was favored in full-auto testing due to excessive vibration experienced with the. Accuracy tests were conducted in semi and full-auto fire, with limited testing of the Model of 1923 due to cartridge availability. 45 Remington-Thompson caliber, featuring a bipod. ![]() In 1924, John Thompson presented two TSMG’s to the CEV, one Model of 1921 in. The French acquired one TSMG in 1921 for testing purposes, with no resulting action taken. ![]() #AUTO ORDNANCE 1927 SCHEMATIC LICENSE#Various weapons desired for French service were a submachine gun (preferably in 9mm due to stocks of captured German ammunition), a self-loading rifle, a new light machine gun, and an anti-tank rifle.Ĭoncurrent with French efforts, a young Auto-Ordnance Corporation in New York came to market with their Model of 1921 Thompson submachine gun, 15,000 of which were manufactured under license by Colt. The CEV was the testing arm of a larger organization named “Etablissement D’Experiences Techniques de Versailles” (ETVS). They developed a list of necessary weapons through a test commission named “Commission D’Experiences de Versailles” (CEV), which undertook to study potential submissions. Recent research has yielded new facts about these weapons, and their intriguing service life during the war.įollowing World War I, the French government undertook a program to improve their military small arms. Fully one-fifth of all Thompson submachine guns produced by Colt were exported to France, yet little information has surfaced previously on the subject.
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