A Couple Early Thompson Ads

[ordnance]

I was at our local gun show on Sunday and bought a stack of "Army Ordnance" magazines that had some early Thompson ads.  I made some higher quality scans and thought they would be appreciated here. These were back cover ads in a location normally owned by Dupont but Auto Ordnance appeared at least 3 times.

From the May-June, 1922 issue....

From the September-October, 1922 issue....

From the May-June, 1923 issue....

[rpbcps]

Ordnance,

Excellent scans of those ads, escepcially the Sept. - Oct. 2022 issue describing "The Thompson gun is a Humane weapon", sounds very WOKE! ?

Coincidentally, I have a copy of the May-June 1923 edition of the Army Ordnance magazine in my collection.

In my collection, I also have a copy of the Nov -Dec1920 issue of the Army Ordnance magazine with a Thompson advert on the back cover in my collection, with that classic photo of George E Goll posing in period Amercian army uniform. Tracie Hill commented, that he thought, as the ad has the early 501 Fifth Avenue, New York, address and the date of the publication, it is possibly one of the first adverts published by Auto-Ordnance Corporation for the Thompson.

 

Edited July 31, 2025 by rpbcps
Added more clear scan of advert

[rpbcps]

It is amazing how much history is connected to an old ad.
Reading through the Sept. - Oct. 2022 issue ad, I noticed amongst those listed, who had officially adopted the Thompson gun, included the Adams Express Company.
My curiosity then led to an internet search of the company and what an interesting history the company had, starting from a survival idea for a family man to the company it has grown into,with the many twists and turns on the way. ?
 

[Taliaferro]

Very interesting to see the ad with the mentioning of BSA and Hotchkiss connections. BSA of course 

made TSMG variations and Hotchkiss was the ski footed bipods used on Auto Rifles and Model of 1923 TSMG (one of two

types of bipods).

 

Tracie

[rpbcps]

5 hours ago, Taliaferro said:

Very interesting to see the ad with the mentioning of BSA and Hotchkiss connections. BSA of course 

made TSMG variations and Hotchkiss was the ski footed bipods used on Auto Rifles and Model of 1923 TSMG (one of two

types of bipods).

 

Tracie

Tracie,

Good point, I have saved a copy of that page to print and laminate for future displays, brings more than one discussion to mind, not only BSA, I have also saved pictures of Models of 1926 and 1929 for the future, but also brings the shot shell mag in my collection into conversation, with the refernece to the bird-shot cartridge. 

[ordnance]

Something I forgot to add earlier, the May-June, 1923 also had this short article on the

M1923 Thompson.

[rpbcps]

FYI, here is a link to an old topic, covering the subject of early Thompson ads, which may be of interest to newer members of the forum.

 

Edited July 31, 2025 by rpbcps
Incorrect link

[rpbcps]

On 7/31/2025 at 6:45 AM, ordnance said:

Something I forgot to add earlier, the May-June, 1923 also had this short article on bi

M1923 Thompson.

Ordnance, that is a nice idea.

Below is the article from the Nov / Dec 1920 edtion.

Note the discussion on the Breech-lock Problem on page 134 above.

 

Note 'Method of Employment' on Page 136 above:

"The Submachine gun is made without shoulder stock or sights, for ordinary rapid fire from the hip, and can be provided with stock and sights where deliberate aimed fire is desired".

On the same page, when discussing "suitable magazine to the weapon", The "Payne drum-shaped or disc magazine" is mentioned, and "Disc Magazine feed" title below that. So, I am guessing the term 'drum' magazine, had not been settled upon at that stage?

Enjoy the read and have a good weekend, especially those at the All Thompson Show and Shoot?

Edited August 3, 2025 by rpbcps
Typo