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Thompson Autorifle Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Firearms: Thompson Autorifle and Delayed Blowback Mechanisms

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Firearms: Thompson Autorifle and Delayed Blowback Mechanisms Study Guide

Thompson Autorifle: Design and Operation

The Blish Lock mechanism used in the Thompson Autorifle was designed to speed up the bolt's unlocking process.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Blish Lock mechanism employed in the Thompson Autorifle was designed to delay the opening of the bolt until internal pressures had decreased to a safe level, not to speed up the unlocking process.

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The Thompson Autorifle was known for its exceptionally smooth and safe ejection of spent casings.

Answer: False

Explanation: Contrary to the statement, the Thompson Autorifle was known for its exceptionally violent ejection of spent cartridge casings, which posed a hazard to individuals nearby.

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The Thompson Autorifle's delayed blowback action was considered more complex than typical gas-operated systems.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Thompson Autorifle's delayed blowback action, utilizing the Blish Lock, was considered simpler than typical gas-operated or recoil-operated systems, which often involve more complex moving parts.

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The safety switch and rear sight on the Thompson Autorifle were located at the front of the receiver.

Answer: False

Explanation: The safety switch and the rear sight on the Thompson Autorifle were located at the rear of the receiver, not the front.

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The Thompson Autorifle fired from an open bolt position, similar to many submachine guns.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Thompson Autorifle fired from a closed bolt position. Its bolt cocked the striker on the opening cycle, a mechanism similar to a Mauser action.

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The Thompson Autorifle's bolt mechanism involved an interrupted screw design with lugs that rotated 110 degrees to unlock.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Thompson Autorifle's bolt mechanism incorporated an interrupted screw design, requiring a 110-degree rotation of its lugs to unlock, which served to delay the action.

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The Thompson Autorifle's design was considered advantageous because it eliminated the need for any form of bolt locking.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Thompson Autorifle's design utilized an interrupted screw mechanism with locking lugs that required rotation to unlock, thus it did not eliminate the need for bolt locking. Its advantage lay in its relative simplicity compared to other operating systems.

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The Thompson Autorifle's bolt cocked the striker during the closing cycle of operation.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Thompson Autorifle's bolt cocked the striker during the opening cycle of operation, not the closing cycle.

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The Thompson Autorifle's receiver was rectangular in cross-section to accommodate its complex action.

Answer: False

Explanation: The receiver of the Thompson Autorifle was round in cross-section, not rectangular.

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What was the primary operating principle of the Thompson Autorifle?

Answer: Delayed blowback operation, using a Blish Lock mechanism.

Explanation: The primary operating principle of the Thompson Autorifle was delayed blowback, achieved through the use of its distinctive Blish Lock mechanism.

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What was a significant disadvantage associated with the Thompson Autorifle's operation?

Answer: The ejection of spent casings was unusually violent.

Explanation: A significant disadvantage of the Thompson Autorifle's operation was the exceptionally violent ejection of spent cartridge casings, which posed a hazard to nearby individuals.

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What was the main advantage cited for the Thompson Autorifle's delayed blowback action compared to other systems?

Answer: Simplicity of design.

Explanation: The main advantage cited for the Thompson Autorifle's delayed blowback action was its simplicity of design when compared to more complex gas-operated or recoil-operated systems.

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How did the Thompson Autorifle's bolt mechanism delay the unlocking process?

Answer: Through an interrupted screw design requiring rotation.

Explanation: The Thompson Autorifle's bolt mechanism delayed unlocking through an interrupted screw design, where its locking lugs required a 110-degree rotation to disengage.

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Which of the following describes the receiver and sight location on the Thompson Autorifle?

Answer: Round receiver with sights at the rear.

Explanation: The Thompson Autorifle featured a round receiver, with both the safety switch and the rear sight located at the rear of the receiver.

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The Thompson Autorifle's cocking and firing sequence involved:

Answer: Cocked the striker on opening, fired from closed bolt.

Explanation: The Thompson Autorifle's cocking and firing sequence involved cocking the striker on the opening cycle of the bolt and firing from a closed bolt position.

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Thompson Autorifle: Variants and History

The Thompson Autorifle was a fully automatic machine gun designed for widespread military adoption.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Thompson Autorifle was submitted for military trials as a semi-automatic rifle and was not adopted for service. It was designed and manufactured by Auto-Ordnance between 1923 and 1929.

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Auto-Ordnance Company manufactured the Thompson Autorifle in the United States between 1923 and 1929.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Auto-Ordnance Company manufactured the Thompson Autorifle in the United States, with its design and development occurring between 1923 and 1929.

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Early Thompson Autorifle prototypes utilized 20-round magazines similar to those used in the BAR.

Answer: False

Explanation: Early prototypes of the Thompson Autorifle utilized 5-round detachable box magazines. The 20-round BAR magazines were adopted in later prototypes.

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The .276 Pedersen cartridge was used in a Thompson Autorifle prototype that competed against John C. Garand's designs.

Answer: True

Explanation: The .276 Pedersen cartridge was used in the Thompson Autorifle Model 1929 prototype, which competed against designs by John C. Garand in trials that led to the adoption of the M1 Garand.

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The Thompson Autorifle was initially developed using a detachable box magazine with a capacity of 20 rounds.

Answer: False

Explanation: Initial development of the Thompson Autorifle utilized a 5-round detachable box magazine. Later prototypes transitioned to 20-round magazines.

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The Thompson Autorifle Model 1929, chambered in .276 Pedersen, was ultimately selected for adoption by the US military.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Thompson Autorifle Model 1929, chambered in .276 Pedersen, competed against John C. Garand's designs but was not ultimately selected for adoption by the US military; the M1 Garand was chosen instead.

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Which company was responsible for the design and manufacture of the Thompson Autorifle in the United States?

Answer: Auto-Ordnance Company

Explanation: The Auto-Ordnance Company was responsible for the design and manufacture of the Thompson Autorifle in the United States.

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Despite Auto-Ordnance submitting prototypes, what was the outcome regarding military adoption of the Thompson Autorifle?

Answer: It was not adopted for service by any military forces.

Explanation: Despite the submission of prototypes by Auto-Ordnance for military trials, the Thompson Autorifle was ultimately not adopted for service by any military forces.

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What type of magazine did *later* prototypes of the Thompson Autorifle use?

Answer: A 20-round BAR magazine.

Explanation: Later prototypes of the Thompson Autorifle transitioned to using 20-round magazines, specifically the M1918 BAR magazines.

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The Thompson Autorifle Model 1929, chambered in .276 Pedersen, was part of a competition that ultimately led to the adoption of which rifle?

Answer: The M1 Garand

Explanation: The competition involving the Thompson Autorifle Model 1929 ultimately led to the adoption of the M1 Garand rifle.

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The Thompson Autorifle's design dates primarily from which period?

Answer: 1923-1929

Explanation: The design and development of the Thompson Autorifle primarily dates from the period between 1923 and 1929.

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BSA Autorifle and British Trials

The BSA Autorifle was developed independently by Birmingham Small Arms Co. without any licensing agreement.

Answer: False

Explanation: The BSA Autorifle was developed by Birmingham Small Arms Co. (BSA) under a licensing agreement with the Auto-Ordnance Corp., making it a derivative rather than an independent development.

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The BSA Autorifle was designed to function only as a fully automatic weapon.

Answer: False

Explanation: The BSA Autorifle was designed with the capability for manual operation, a requirement for British Army trials, meaning it was not intended to function solely as a fully automatic weapon.

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The BSA Autorifle was chambered in .303 British and typically used a 10-round magazine.

Answer: True

Explanation: The BSA Autorifle was indeed chambered in .303 British and typically utilized a 10-round box magazine.

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The BSA Guns Ltd. manufactured 'heavy rifle' variants of the Thompson Autorifle featured fixed barrels and standard stocks.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'heavy rifle' variants manufactured by BSA Guns Ltd. featured folding bipods and finned barrels, not fixed barrels and standard stocks.

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The 'improved' BSA Thompson variant featured a longer operating cycle and a side-mounted cocking handle.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'improved' BSA Thompson variant featured a shorter operating cycle and a straight-pull cocking handle, not a longer cycle or a side-mounted handle.

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The BSA Autorifle was tested in British trials alongside rifles made by Colt and Farquhar Hill.

Answer: True

Explanation: The BSA Autorifle was tested in British trials in 1927 alongside a Colt-made Thompson, an 'improved' BSA Thompson, a gas-operated BSA rifle, and the Farquhar Hill rifle.

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The BSA Autorifle was designed to meet the British Army's requirement for manual operation capability.

Answer: True

Explanation: The BSA Autorifle was specifically designed to fulfill the British Army's requirement for self-loading rifles that could also be operated manually, a crucial criterion for their trials.

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The BSA Guns Ltd. produced six Light Machine Gun variants based on the Thompson Autorifle patents.

Answer: True

Explanation: BSA Guns Ltd. produced six Light Machine Gun variants, alongside six Rifle variants, based on the Thompson Autorifle patents.

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What feature allowed the BSA Autorifle to be operated manually, a requirement for British trials?

Answer: Disconnecting shutters around the bolt head.

Explanation: The BSA Autorifle featured disconnecting shutters around the bolt head. Moving these shutters allowed the mechanism to be disconnected, enabling manual operation of the rifle.

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The BSA Autorifle was developed primarily for:

Answer: Trials by the British Army.

Explanation: The BSA Autorifle was developed and offered primarily for trials conducted by the British Army.

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What was the outcome of the 1927 British trials for the BSA Autorifle?

Answer: It did not advance past the prototype stage as none were acceptable.

Explanation: Despite some reports suggesting it narrowly outperformed competitors, the BSA Autorifle did not advance past the prototype stage in the 1927 British trials, as none of the rifles were deemed acceptable for adoption.

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What distinguishes the 'improved' BSA Thompson variant from earlier models?

Answer: It featured a shorter operating cycle and a straight-pull cocking handle.

Explanation: The 'improved' BSA Thompson variant was distinguished by its shorter operating cycle and the incorporation of a straight-pull cocking handle.

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How many BSA-manufactured 'heavy rifle' variants were produced according to the source?

Answer: Six Rifle variants and six Light Machine Gun variants.

Explanation: According to the source, BSA Guns Ltd. produced six Rifle variants and six Light Machine Gun variants of the 'heavy rifle' type based on Thompson Autorifle patents.

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What was the relationship between the BSA Autorifle and the original Thompson Autorifle?

Answer: The BSA Autorifle was a licensed, improved derivative.

Explanation: The BSA Autorifle was a licensed derivative of the original Thompson Autorifle, developed by Birmingham Small Arms Co. (BSA) and considered an improved version.

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Delayed Blowback Mechanisms: Concepts and Examples

The M50 Reising submachine gun is an example of a firearm using a gas-delayed blowback system.

Answer: False

Explanation: The M50 Reising submachine gun is listed as an example of a firearm employing a 'hesitation locked' system, not a gas-delayed blowback system.

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Delayed blowback firearms are designed to operate identically to simple blowback systems but with more powerful cartridges.

Answer: False

Explanation: Delayed blowback firearms differ from simple blowback systems by intentionally slowing the bolt's opening. This delay allows internal pressures to decrease before ejection, enabling the use of more powerful cartridges, rather than operating identically.

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The FAMAS rifle utilizes a lever-delayed blowback operating principle.

Answer: True

Explanation: The FAMAS rifle is categorized under 'Lever delayed' blowback firearms, indicating its operation involves a lever system to delay the bolt's action.

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The Heckler & Koch G3 rifle is an example of a firearm employing a gas-delayed blowback system.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Heckler & Koch G3 rifle employs a roller-delayed blowback system, not a gas-delayed blowback system. Examples of gas-delayed blowback firearms include the H&K P7 pistol and the Steyr GB pistol.

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Which of the following firearms is mentioned as utilizing a roller-delayed blowback system?

Answer: Heckler & Koch MP5

Explanation: The Heckler & Koch MP5 is mentioned as an example of a firearm utilizing a roller-delayed blowback system.

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Which of these is an example of a firearm using a gas-delayed blowback system, according to the source?

Answer: Heckler & Koch P7 pistol

Explanation: According to the source, the Heckler & Koch P7 pistol is an example of a firearm that utilizes a gas-delayed blowback system.

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What is the fundamental concept behind 'delayed blowback' operation in firearms?

Answer: The bolt's opening is intentionally slowed down to reduce pressure before ejection.

Explanation: The fundamental concept of delayed blowback is to intentionally slow the bolt's opening after firing, allowing internal cartridge pressure to decrease to a safer level before the breech opens and the spent casing is ejected.

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Which of these delayed blowback systems is exemplified by the FAMAS rifle?

Answer: Lever delayed

Explanation: The FAMAS rifle is categorized under 'Lever delayed' blowback firearms, indicating its operating principle involves a lever system to delay the bolt's action.

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Ammunition and Specific Cartridges

The Thompson Autorifle was chambered exclusively in the .30-06 Springfield cartridge.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Thompson Autorifle was chambered in multiple cartridges, including .30-06 Springfield, 7.62x54mmR Russian, .276 Pedersen, and .303 British, not exclusively .30-06 Springfield.

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The Thompson Autorifle required ammunition with specific lubrication for reliable functioning.

Answer: True

Explanation: Reliable functioning of the Thompson Autorifle necessitated the use of lubricated ammunition, which was identified as one of its significant operational disadvantages.

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Which cartridge was NOT mentioned as being chambered for the Thompson Autorifle or its variants?

Answer: 8mm Mauser

Explanation: The cartridges mentioned as being chambered for the Thompson Autorifle or its variants are .30-06 Springfield, 7.62x54mmR Russian, .276 Pedersen, and .303 British. 8mm Mauser was not mentioned.

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What was the purpose of the oiled pads mentioned in relation to early Thompson Autorifle magazines?

Answer: To provide lubrication for reliable functioning.

Explanation: The oiled pads mentioned in relation to early Thompson Autorifle magazines served the purpose of providing lubrication for reliable functioning of the ammunition feed.

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