A 1928 Thompson submachine gun concealed inside a violin case. The 1928 Thompson submachine gun hidden inside a violin case has become one of the most recognizable images associated with the Prohibition era. Hollywood and comic books popularized the idea of gangsters using instrument cases to conceal their weapons, although historical evidence suggests they were more likely to rely on ordinary luggage or canvas bags. Fitting a Thompson into a standard violin case required removing the wooden stock and positioning the weapon and magazines inside. The image became an enduring cultural symbol, blending the glamour of the Jazz Age with the violence of organized crime.(Historic Vids)