30 Round Thompson Magazine Pouch

Gift of Kenneth Rendell, 1999.037.017

Prewar Thompson submachine guns could be loaded with a large drum magazine, made famous by Prohibition-era gangsters. The drum magazine proved impractical in wartime, so war production M1 Thompsons could only accept box magazines. Issued in either 20 or 30 round capacities, each type of magazine had its own unique ammunition pouch. This web pouch held three 30 round magazines.