Dirty Harry Collectors thread

[Bando]

This was a publicity still made for the release of Magnum Force. I bought it as an 8 x 10" print in the 1970s and it remans one of my favorites.
Apologies if somebody has already posted it earlier on this discussion.

[Bando]

The shootout resulting from the stake-out is one of my favorite scenes from all the Dirty Harry series. This was cropped from another publicity still for Magnum force.

[AkRay]

I've always seen "Callahan" spelled with 2 "l's."

[mjolnir2]

Originally Posted by Bando

The shootout resulting from the stake-out is one of my favorite scenes from all the Dirty Harry series. This was cropped from another publicity still for Magnum force.

I remember this scene! It's where the police officer looks at the dead felon and says "I've never shot a man before." Harry gives him a scowl and tells him to help the lady!

[mjolnir2]

Originally Posted by NFrameFred

Smith & Wesson ( and those of us that love the 29) owe Clint Eastwood a debt of thanks. Elmer may have been the daddy of it but Clint made EVERYBODY want one.

Just think - one of the first choices to play Harry Callahan was Frank Sinatra. I liked Frank for a lot of reasons, but it would have been a mediocre and short-lived series if fate had not taken it to Clint. One story goes that Frank had injured his wrist and didn't think he wanted to hold the big gun and fire it one handed, even with movie blanks. Don't know if it's true, but it's hard to imagine anyone else but Eastwood in that role now. Clint made Harry an icon.

I agree... Frank wouldn't have been as good as Clint!

[Arisin Wind]

Originally Posted by Bando

The shootout resulting from the stake-out is one of my favorite scenes from all the Dirty Harry series. This was cropped from another publicity still for Magnum force.

Checkout the sign to the left of Clint. "Captain WISHBONE". Maybe homage to Paul Brinegar who played Wishbone on Rawhide and a barkeep in High Plains Drifter.

Also take note that Clint's holster doesn't appear to have the lacing from the shoulder yoke to the holster.

Finally, what is in Clint's front pants pocket? A pack of smokes?

[Engine49guy]

All I have is this Dash 3...but only a true blue Smith guy would know the difference.


BTW...Im surprised with all this dirty harry trivia nobody mentioned his sunglasses ?



They are called Ray Ban Balorama's and the good news for collectors is that they are being made again along with most of the cool old Ray Ban styles .


Also found this cool website for all things related to Clint Eastwood.
http://www.clinteastwood.org/forums/index.php?board=8.0

[MakeMyNight]

According to Wikipedia, there were no 44 mag blanks available in 1971, so a model 25-2 45 acp was used for all firing scenes, because blanks were available for that caliber.
A model 29 was used for the photography only, and it's owned by Director Don Siegel.

Last paragraph, under sub title Influence, near the bottom of the page.

Dirty Harry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Photog]

MakeMyNight:
Remember, Wikipedia information is posted by users, and unfortunately, they are sometimes very badly mistaken. It has been gone of on this forum as well as many others that the guns used were M29-2 6.5" blued revolvers. There were no 8 3/8" barreled ones, no M25-5 (which DIDN'T EXIST when DH came out), no M25-2, etc. etc. etc. 45 ACP blanks are just as difficult, or easy, to make up as are 44 Magnum blanks, 38 Special blanks, 9mm blanks, 357 Magnum blanks, etc. etc....well you get the point.

[MakeMyNight]

Originally Posted by Photog

MakeMyNight:
Remember, Wikipedia information is posted by users, and unfortunately, they are sometimes very badly mistaken. It has been gone of on this forum as well as many others that the guns used were M29-2 6.5" blued revolvers. There were no 8 3/8" barreled ones, no M25-5 (which DIDN'T EXIST when DH came out), no M25-2, etc. etc. etc. 45 ACP blanks are just as difficult, or easy, to make up as are 44 Magnum blanks, 38 Special blanks, 9mm blanks, 357 Magnum blanks, etc. etc....well you get the point.

I just read a couple other items online, and one claims that a model 57 was used, as no model 29's were being produced at the time. Oy Vey!

I also found the site linked below, and the explanation therein seems to make the most sense.
Btw: It closely corroborates what You have stated. See link below:

Dirty Harry - imfdb :. guns in movies :. movie guns :. the internet movie firearms database

[Geronimo Jim]

Great threat! More photo's.

[BigBill]

You guys are killing me i didn't think that movie still had such a following, an "Impact" or made such a lasting impression. I never held my 44mag and say did i fire 5 or 6 ect, never, never, well maybe punk....kidding.

I thought i was alone in wanting two 29's with the 6 1/2" and the 8 3/8" barrels in dirty harry blue. I just got my first two S&W's in 41mag and i'm not done with the 41's yet. I waited 35+ years to get my S&W M57 in 41mag. I also want the m27 in 357 too besides the 29's. Heck i'm just getting started with the s&w's. Dear S&W keep the presses rolling on all of them and make my day..... I'll be collecting S&W till the day i die. Bill

BTW; Didn't Clint use a M57 in 41mag in the movie sometimes?

Godbless our troops and bring them home safe soon. Thak God we live in a free country were we can enjoy this hobby for we are truely free. Plus we have people willing to put there lives on the line so we will still be free for the future generations and many years ahead too. Godbless them. If i wasn't so old and crippled i'd be there with them.

[NFrameFred]

Originally Posted by BigBill

BTW; Didn't Clint use a M57 in 41mag in the movie sometimes?

GAAAHHHHH!

The mis-information never ends ! Bill, check out some of the listed links in the thread and the posts that have explained that. There are so many WRONG stories made up by 'experts' and gun shop commandos that don't know their butt from their elbow !

They were model 29 44's, They were model 29 44's,They were model 29 44's,They were model 29 44's, . . .

I once heard an old preacher say, "lies and mis-information can make it half way around the world before the truth can get it's shoes on . . . "

[S.B.]

Sorry, 500 Magnum Nut, Harry carried Dade speedloaders?
Steve

[S.B.]

Sorry, 500 Magnum Nut, Harry carried Dade speedloaders?

Steve

[Arisin Wind]

Did the movie makers use the same M29 thoroughout all the Dirty Harry movies?

[mtgrs737]

Yep, Dade speedloaders, not HK's. Dade is out of business but a fellow is making up some from left over parts with new bodies, but the bodies don't match up with the originals. I finially found a couple originals at the big Tulsa gunshow last year, now to find the third one, Harry always carried three.

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by Geronimo Jim

Great threat! More photo's.

OK, let's see more clothes! (I know I'm stupid )

This thing makes me jump 10 times a day, Harry just follows me around the house here......

[NFrameFred]

OOOOOKAYYYYY . . . . this just crossed into weird . . . .

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by S.B.

Sorry, 500 Magnum Nut, Harry carried Dade speedloaders?
Steve

S.B. are you sure? Now I need to watch the movies again as I'm 2ND guessing myself.

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by NFrameFred

OOOOOKAYYYYY . . . . this just crossed into weird . . . .

Not weird...... FUN!


It started out that I was looking for a 70's jacket, then the exact jacket in the last scene of the first movie, then the tie etc I actually had a ball researching the clothes.
The mannequin was found real cheap so I dressed it up. I think it looks like him to a point. The wife wants me to leave it in the family room to gag the visiters.

[S.B.]

Originally Posted by 500 Magnum Nut

S.B. are you sure? Now I need to watch the movies again as I'm 2ND guessing myself.

Positive! This is what made me buy the two I still own and yes he always carried three. HKSs weren't even thought of back then or, perhaps used in later DH movies?
Steve

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by S.B.

Positive! This is what made me buy the two I still own and yes he always carried three. HKSs weren't even thought of back then.
Steve

I got to redo some pictures.....

Steve, Your correct. I'm hunting the internet for a few Dade Speedloaders. I watched the 2ND movie and you can clearly see they aren't HKS loaders....

Darn, I'm off to the races again.

[colt44sp]

Originally Posted by NFrameFred

GAAAHHHHH!

The mis-information never ends ! Bill, check out some of the listed links in the thread and the posts that have explained that. There are so many WRONG stories made up by 'experts' and gun shop commandos that don't know their butt from their elbow !

They were model 29 44's, They were model 29 44's,They were model 29 44's,They were model 29 44's, . . .

I once heard an old preacher say, "lies and mis-information can make it half way around the world before the truth can get it's shoes on . . . "

Correct, one of the gun's is on display at the NRA museum, given to John Milius, the writer.
Model 29's have been around since the mid-50's, although the first
ones weren't labeled as such, but still the same gun.

Again, the gun(s) was a S&W .44 mag.

[S.B.]

I always thought Milus directed the Dirty Harry movies?
Steve

[blujax01]

Originally Posted by mtgrs737

Yep, Dade speedloaders, not HK's. Dade is out of business but a fellow is making up some from left over parts with new bodies, but the bodies don't match up with the originals. I finially found a couple originals at the big Tulsa gunshow last year, now to find the third one, Harry always carried three.

There's a guy on an auction site (rhymes with fleabay) that has new old stock originals. He's selling singles or in threes.

[S.B.]

Originally Posted by blujax01

There's a guy on an auction site (rhymes with fleabay) that has new old stock originals. He's selling singles or in threes.

His are cast from original molds. I have no dog in this fight but, have bought several from him. 'The one's in picture are way before he came along, though. Dade was only making them in .44when I bought them.
Steve

[Az. revolver fan]

The late, great Don Siegel directed the original "Dirty Harry". Milius was one of the writers. Clint Eastwood directed the final two sequels. I am not sure who directed the second and third sequels. Safariland speedloaders were available back then and were very popular.

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by Az. revolver fan

Safariland speedloaders were available back then and were very popular.

Interesting, thanks for the tip. They look like Dades also.

I just located several Dade speed loaders and they will be on the way.....

[Az. revolver fan]

I have a question for the old time "Dirty Harry" and S/W .44 mag fans. Does anyone know if "Mr. .44 mag", Elmer Keith had anything to do with the original Dirty Harry movie? I distinctly remember his column in "Guns and Ammo" suddenly referring to "his good friend, Clint Eastwood" and pitching Lawman shoulder holsters right on cue with the release of the original flick in the theatres. Perhaps a consultant or advisor? Just curious.

[Az. revolver fan]

Originally Posted by Stranglehold

No holster yet, but here's a 6.5" 29-2 with movie accoutrements...



Roe

This is the only photo in this thread with the correct ammunition for the 1970 time period. Semi-Jacketed Soft Point. It was the original Remington-Peters Semi-Jacketed Soft Point load that Elmer Keith made his famous "two hits out of 4 shots on a wounded mule deer at 600 yds." with a 6 1/2" pre-model 29 S&W .44 mag at Paul Kriley's Ranch near Clear Creek in Idaho (the buck had been wounded by Kriley with a .300 mag rifle and Elmer finished it). Also, an amusing fact that I personally recall about this time period. After the original Dirty Harry movie debut, the price on model 29's went through the roof. Stories of Gun dealers charging double and even triple suggested retail went on for several years (and they were selling quickly, faster than the factory could keep up). When the mania resided, the gun stores were inundated with used model 29's that had only been fired 5 or 6 times and put away as fans found out that the way Harry Callahan made it look in the movie with .44 specials and blanks was way different than actually popping off a cylinder full of full-house .44 magnum rounds with no instruction on how to deal with the recoil. (You can bet most tried to "fight" it). The people who decided they actually enjoyed shooting this fine, accurate weapon were trading in for or just buying the newer 629 models and the more expensive AMT Automag in .44 automag.

[500 Magnum Nut]

Ah, the cartridges in the first picture are hornady bullets that I shoot on and off depending were I'm at in the reloading bench.
I do have the exact bullet currently and proper speedloaders coming so I will do it right this time.

I'm going to load up 6 (without powder & primers) and place them in Harrys hand, as if he's going into his jacket with a speed loader.

The gun in the holster is a wood prop gun I made with real factory grips. I didn't want to leave a real gun in there, as someone could smash out a window and steal the real gun.

In the 2ND movie "Magnum Force", during the shooting range scene, the bad dudes asked Harry what load in his gun? He responded a light special which was a blooper, I believe he was supposed to say a light magnum, the cut stayed in the movie nevertheless.

I don't know if Elmer was involved in the original movie or not, that would be neat if he was.

[S.B.]

Sorry 500 magnum nut for all this amateur cretiquing.
Steve

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by S.B.

Sorry 500 magnum nut for all this amateur cretiquing.
Steve

For what? I enjoy the hobby and collect Harry stuff. If you have knowledge I want to get it right too!

[S.B.]

Good attitude, bro.
Steve

[Az. revolver fan]

.500 mag, I know who directed the original film and the final two films but who directed Magnum Force and The Enforcer?

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by Az. revolver fan

.500 mag, I know who directed the original film and the final two films but who directed Magnum Force and The Enforcer?

Magnum Force was directed by Ted Post (screen play/story by John Milius)

The Enforcer was directed by James Fargo

[Wheelgunner840]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this entire thread and looking at the pictures. Thanks all!

While I have only the 29-3, which is a great gun and shoots great, I am always on the lookout for a more correct DH gun. So, Is the 29-2 the closest I will be able to get without spending $10,000?

Second question. I have also always wanted a DH shoulder holster. I am a big guy at 6'2" and 250 lbs. Every shoulder holster I have ever tried on feels like it was made for a child, and puts the gun way up under my armpit. Do the DH holsters pictured adjust enough for a guy my size?

Thanks.


WG840

[Az. revolver fan]

Fun thread! Thank you all.

[MAG-NUM]

Here is a little artistic contribution to DH collection. I was playing around with the photo shop tonight and came up with this. I know the gun isn't PC but I thought it looked cool enough. Bob

[Arisin Wind]

[GF]

Originally Posted by Az. revolver fan

Fun thread! Thank you all.

What he said. I hope this thread stays up a long time.

And... you know when your eat-up with 44 mags when you have to buy 'em three at a time!



(the Dirty Harry one's in the middle.)

GF

[PhilOhio]

To add a little perspective, I have to post a picture of my Model 29 "no dash", purchased long before a movie made them cool. I've owned it for all of its 50 years.

As a college sophomore in mid-December 1960, I saw and handled my first then-rare Model 29, a 4"er owned by big time Luger collector Robert Bretherton in Toledo, Ohio. I had to have one, as in right now, but they were not in gun stores.

Our stocking dealer was Gross Photo Mart, long out of business like Toledo in general. Augie ordered my 6.5" blued 29 no dash, noting on the receipt "will wire factory today", which is how it was done then.

It came a couple weeks later, in time for Christmas. Full retail price was $140. I bought a Lyman 310 reloading set and a $19 Pacific single stage press at the same time, according to my receipt.

A few days later, testing it at the New York Central Sportsmen's Club range with a couple friends, I learned that you never ever shoot one of these without ear protection. After less than 10 rounds, I was deaf in one ear and could hardly hear in the other. It really slowed me down in Russian language class. That lasted about a week.

I have a lot of guns and a bunch of Smiths, but this one is special. It will be with me as long as I am around. And the idea of a 4" 29 has tickled my fancy, even if I may have to pay more than $140 this time.

One reason I like the gun and cartridge so much is that it seems I can load it up or down, and with different bullet weights, and it shoots to about the same point of impact. I don't have to adjust the sights. And I wasn't expecting it to be such a tack driver. How I love this thing. I still remember how impressive it was to explode my first concrete block at 50 feet. No need for any more power than this, no matter what the S&W marketeers and gun writers suggest we may need.



Back then, the wood box came from Smith in this pasteboard outer box, which I still have, and which was numbered to the gun. Somebody bobbled one digit and corrected it. I'm betting very few of you have one of these, or even know about them. But alas, I didn't save the brown paper around the cardboard box.

[Wheelgunner840]

Now THAT is a keeper PhilOhio! It is great that you kept that outer wrapper too! I would gladly pay you three times what you paid for it!

Once again, what would be the most correct DH model? 6.5" bbl correct? Was there a 29-1?


WG840

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by Wheelgunner840

Was there a 29-1?


WG840

Sure there was, but they were made in 60-61. The Dirty Harry films were in the 70s. So the only correct answer is a model 29-2 (1961-1979) with a 6 1/2" barrel. (That's his carry piece with a Lawman holster).

[Arisin Wind]

Originally Posted by 500 Magnum Nut

The Dirty Harry films were in the 70s. So the only correct answer is a model 29-2 (1961-1979) with a 6 1/2" barrel. (That's his carry piece with a Lawman holster).

Lawman Leather didn't exist until 1975. The holster used in the films is probably a Bucheimer-Clark holster. Lawman Leather bought them in the mid 70's.

The holster sold by Lawman Leather is a close copy of the one used in the movie. The movie holster did not have the wide "cobra head" belt strap but the narrow strap. The yoke was stitched to the holster instead of fastened with leather ties and it has a tension screw which the Lawman Leather holsters lack.

[S.B.]

Originally Posted by Arisin Wind

Lawman Leather didn't exist until 1975. The holster used in the films is probably a Bucheimer-Clark holster. Lawman Leather bought them in the mid 70's.

The holster sold by Lawman Leather is a close copy of the one used in the movie. The movie holster did not have the wide "cobra head" belt strap but the narrow strap. The yoke was stitched to the holster instead of fastened with leather ties and it has a tension screw which the Lawman Leather holsters lack.

Nope, Cathey Leather made the original. Owned one and talked to the owner several times. He had military contracts before in business.
Steve
Steve

[29-1]

Originally Posted by PhilOhio

To add a little perspective, I have to post a picture of my Model 29 "no dash", purchased long before a movie made them cool. I've owned it for all of its 50 years.

As a college sophomore in mid-December 1960, I saw and handled my first then-rare Model 29, a 4"er owned by big time Luger collector Robert Bretherton in Toledo, Ohio. I had to have one, as in right now, but they were not in gun stores.

Our stocking dealer was Gross Photo Mart, long out of business like Toledo in general. Augie ordered my 6.5" blued 29 no dash, noting on the receipt "will wire factory today", which is how it was done then.

It came a couple weeks later, in time for Christmas. Full retail price was $140. I bought a Lyman 310 reloading set and a $19 Pacific single stage press at the same time, according to my receipt.

A few days later, testing it at the New York Central Sportsmen's Club range with a couple friends, I learned that you never ever shoot one of these without ear protection. After less than 10 rounds, I was deaf in one ear and could hardly hear in the other. It really slowed me down in Russian language class. That lasted about a week.

I have a lot of guns and a bunch of Smiths, but this one is special. It will be with me as long as I am around. And the idea of a 4" 29 has tickled my fancy, even if I may have to pay more than $140 this time.

One reason I like the gun and cartridge so much is that it seems I can load it up or down, and with different bullet weights, and it shoots to about the same point of impact. I don't have to adjust the sights. And I wasn't expecting it to be such a tack driver. How I love this thing. I still remember how impressive it was to explode my first concrete block at 50 feet. No need for any more power than this, no matter what the S&W marketeers and gun writers suggest we may need.



Back then, the wood box came from Smith in this pasteboard outer box, which I still have, and which was numbered to the gun. Somebody bobbled one digit and corrected it. I'm betting very few of you have one of these, or even know about them. But alas, I didn't save the brown paper around the cardboard box.

PhilOhio, nice!
Regards
Chuck

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by Arisin Wind

Lawman Leather didn't exist until 1975. The holster used in the films is probably a Bucheimer-Clark holster. Lawman Leather bought them in the mid 70's.

Jerry Ardolino claims this on his website.

Part of the read.....

Many people do not realize that of the group of Dirty Harry Holsters that were made for the Prop House that supplied the Production Company, a couple were for a 5" barrelled S&W "N" Frame (with an old-style tension screw that had long been eliminated due to functional problems); the holster used in the film was actually one of those 5" models, not the proper 6.5" models that were supplied. This can be seen in certain shots in the first film where the face of the cylinder sits midway in the cylinder cut-out. I acquired exclusive rights to the 6 ½” Model 29, proper Holster— with the tighter spring .........


www.LawmanLeatherGoods.com

[Arisin Wind]

Originally Posted by S.B.

Nope, Cathey Leather made the original. Owned one and talked to the owner several times. He had military contracts before in business.
Steve
Steve

That would make sense. I have a couple of Cathey holsters in the Dirty Harry style and they match the Bucheimer Clark holsters perfectly. The Cathey's have NSN's on them.