Thompson M1928A1 .45 in sub-machine gun, 1928 (c)

During World War Two (1939-1945), the Thompson was favored by British soldiers for its reliabilty, compactness, large .45 ACP bullet, and high volume of automatic fire. This M1928A1 is fitted with a 50-round drum magazine, but these were rarely used in combat situations because of their tendency to rattle. Most Thompson's were fitted with box magazines during the war. The drum magazine Thompson became infamous during the Prohibition era in America (1920-1933) as the gun most favoured by gangsters.