PATTON; MAKING THE MOVIE - The Firearms Forum

Redneck2000 · 02-29-2004, 10:22 PM

Anybody catch the History Channel program today abt the making of this movie? It was a great program, w/lots of footage of the real man.

One thing I noticed, though: He was always famed for carrying the ivory handled six gun, and shown with it throughout the movie and during the original footage. However, in the scene where he went outside and was firing at the strafing planes, he was using an auto loader (I presume a 1911). I wonder if that was an oversight, or if I missed something? Any thoughts?

Good movie and good program abt its making...

Xracer · 03-01-2004, 07:09 AM

If I remember correctly, when he fired at the strafing planes, I believe it was with a Colt M1903....which was the issue handgun for General officers.

At other times, he carried an ivory handled Colt SAA in .45 Colt, and a standard M1911A1.

I've heard that he also owned an S&W revolver in .357 Magnum (also with ivory handles)....but I don't know of any that were made in that caliber that early.

Bullseye · 03-01-2004, 08:30 PM

I've heard that he also owned an S&W revolver in .357 Magnum (also with ivory handles)....but I don't know of any that were made in that caliber that early.

Yes I have read where Patton did indeed own a Smith 357 mag - introduced in the mid 30s so it would have been "easy" for someone of his status to aquire one before WWII.

armedandsafe · 03-01-2004, 09:06 PM

I remember reading, years ago, that he had one of the first .357s off the line. It was in a gun magazine article about the history of the cartridge.

Pops

Redneck2000 · 03-01-2004, 10:11 PM

There are pictures of Patton's Colt .45 and S&W .357 (as well as some other interesting stuff) at this site:

www.pattonhq.com/pistols.html

Xracer · 03-02-2004, 07:23 AM

Thanks for the link, Redneck.

I stand corrected then....it apparently was an M1908 instead of an M1903.....but they look the same, and both were issued to General Officers in WWII.

And here's some trivia for you: The strafing planes (supposed to be German Heinkel He 111s) were actually a Spanish built version of that plane, the CASA 2.111.......which were still flying in the Spanish Air Force at the time the movie was made.

These same planes were also used extensively in the movie "The Battle of Britain".

02-29-2004, 10:22 PM	#1
Redneck2000 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 80	PATTON; MAKING THE MOVIE Anybody catch the History Channel program today abt the making of this movie? It was a great program, w/lots of footage of the real man. One thing I noticed, though: He was always famed for carrying the ivory handled six gun, and shown with it throughout the movie and during the original footage. However, in the scene where he went outside and was firing at the strafing planes, he was using an auto loader (I presume a 1911). I wonder if that was an oversight, or if I missed something? Any thoughts? Good movie and good program abt its making... -->

03-01-2004, 07:09 AM	#2
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	If I remember correctly, when he fired at the strafing planes, I believe it was with a Colt M1903....which was the issue handgun for General officers. At other times, he carried an ivory handled Colt SAA in .45 Colt, and a standard M1911A1. I've heard that he also owned an S&W revolver in .357 Magnum (also with ivory handles)....but I don't know of any that were made in that caliber that early.

03-01-2004, 08:30 PM	#3
Bullseye V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 153	I've heard that he also owned an S&W revolver in .357 Magnum (also with ivory handles)....but I don't know of any that were made in that caliber that early. Yes I have read where Patton did indeed own a Smith 357 mag - introduced in the mid 30s so it would have been "easy" for someone of his status to aquire one before WWII.

03-01-2004, 09:06 PM	#4
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	I remember reading, years ago, that he had one of the first .357s off the line. It was in a gun magazine article about the history of the cartridge. Pops

03-01-2004, 10:11 PM	#5
Redneck2000 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 80	There are pictures of Patton's Colt .45 and S&W .357 (as well as some other interesting stuff) at this site: www.pattonhq.com/pistols.html

03-02-2004, 07:23 AM	#6
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Thanks for the link, Redneck. I stand corrected then....it apparently was an M1908 instead of an M1903.....but they look the same, and both were issued to General Officers in WWII. And here's some trivia for you: The strafing planes (supposed to be German Heinkel He 111s) were actually a Spanish built version of that plane, the CASA 2.111.......which were still flying in the Spanish Air Force at the time the movie was made. These same planes were also used extensively in the movie "The Battle of Britain".