A recent thread (In Spanish) asked the identity of a revolver shown in a movie poster. These have always intrigued me. Many years ago there was an antique arms dealer in New York, Robert Abels, who showed in his catalog some guns used in movies. Several of these were Colt New Services, or Official Police Models, and Smith & Wesson N-Framed hand ejector Models. Most had those jigged bone grips to simulate stag, and had been fitted with ejector rod housings, all to look like Colt SAAs. No matter the time period, they had SAAs. Watching some of the older movies, I noticed Tom Mix wearing what appears to be an unaltered Colt Official Police revolver. Some of the real old movies used authentic revolvers such as Remingtons, Smith & Wesson No.3s, and once saw a Merwin Hulbert revolver. Noticed some Mexican movies of more recent vintage using non-firing replicas (the long notches on the rear of the cylinder a give-away) in close up scenes, and blank firing replicas for the shooting scenes. The blanks are fired without the dubbing of shots being fired later. This apparently to comply with Mexican gun laws. Recent TV movies have been more conscious of correct arms for the time setting, especially those of Robert DuVall's starring roles. Interesting pastime for 100 degree weather outside! Bob Wright
Great subject Personaly I'm been on the lookout for one of those 6 shooters (any make/model) that never run out of boolets
I always find it interesting when a S&W Model 3 shows up in Westerns. It shows me someone in the movie did some homework and found out that there were a whole lot of people who didn't carry Colts.
FWIW, HollyWeird DID make one contribution to the world of cartridge collecting- the 5-in-1 blank cartridge. This could be fired in 5 different firearms. Have one round of 5-in-1 plastic in my collection, and yes, that was the headstamp. Their have been so many gun goofs in the movies that it would make a HUGE thread on its own. One of them- the series Bounty Hunter- gave us the Mare's Leg, which was a cut down 44-40 rifle. However, the director had Steve McQueen walking around with 45-70 cartridges in his belt loops- they looked more impressive!
The 5-in-1 was a tapered rimmed case, filler was flash powder. Could be shot from a 38-40, 44-40, 45 Colt, etc. Made supply on the movie set easier, made a better flash and bang for the camera.
it wasn't until i was in high school that i realised that germans in WWII actually carried anything other than a Luger. most movies & tv shows i remember seeing showed ALL germans with a luger, & ALL US troops carried a 1911. i've also seen a few westerns that used winchester 94's regardless of when the movie is set.
Hossfly, Were you askin' what the 5-in1 was? The idea was that one caliber of cartridges could be used in five different firearms: 1. .38-40 Colt revolvers 2. .38-40 Winchester rifles 3. .44-40 Colt Revolvers 4. .44-40 Winchester rifles 5. .45 Colt revolvers This was the origin of the 5-in1 designation. Bob Wright
