Thompson SMG

[Ed Storey]

Yes you are correct as there are indeed 3-round Thompson magazines in the two photographs and there is no disputing that 1SSF, a composite American special forces unit containing Canadians used 30-round magazines. But to answer your initial question did Commonwealth nations use the 30-round magazine then in the case of Canada, you need to find evidence, either a photograph or wartime document from Canadian sources to prove that particular magazine was used. If I were searching out the answer, then I would focus the hunt on I Canadian Corps as they fought in Italy where the Thompson was used.

[r.morrison]

Thanks Ed: I'll get in touch with a couple of regiments that I have close contact with and see if I can dig up some info. If I find any photos, I'll be sure to post them.
Many thanks to all again for your contributions....
Robert

[derk derin]

Update on the Thompson SAT information. David mentioned to me he has a 1944 manual that covers the Thompson and Sten. I too have that manual displayed in my collection and interesting enough it only mentions the 20 round magazine. It doesn’t mention the 30 round magazine and no longer mentioned the 50 round drum magazine.

[Jakko Westerbeke]

I think this is a 30-round magazine:

025018.jpg

These are Norwegian Commandos, probably on Walcheren in late 1944, who for some reason are guarding a group of German prisoners with shovels, so I suppose this is after the fighting.

However, I couldn’t find any other photos of Commandos with 30-round magazines (except one of this same man, taken from a different direction), when I would kind of expect Commandos to want larger magazines if those were to be had. For all we know, of course, if this fellow does have a 30-round one, maybe he got it from an American somehow …

[r.morrison]

If I had that many German prisoners armed with shovels, I'd want a 30 round mag or maybe 3!
Robert

[gordon]

Everybody started WW2 with 20 and 50 round magazines, the 100 round ones having been found impractical. Both types would fit the 1921 and 1928 gun variants.

When the M1A1 was introduced, it wouldn't take the 50 round 'L' drum mag, so users were limited to the 20 round sticks, and there was a lot of complaining about the lack of fire volume, so the US introduced the 30 round stick which became very popular. I haven't seen a wartime photo of two 20 round sticks taped back to back but apparently it was quite common.

[Lang]

AWM Photo of Australians in Tobruk, New Guinea and home training.