I'm glad someone else new this too...
The Dirty Harry movie gun(s)
- Thread starter Wingmaster
- Start date
I'm glad someone else new this too...
Not to try to change the direction of the thread, but I find this particularly interesting. I have a Model of 1950 Military that lettered as being shipped to Mr Lookabaugh in 1956. Interesting that he was involved in the delivery of the Diry Harry guns.
Walter Rego
Member
I have an early post war M&P that letters as shipping to the Walter Lookenbaugh Co. (that's how the name is spelled on the letter) in Los Angeles in November of 1946. I believe Kelly Lookabaugh was the son and the company was a large S&W distributor in Sou. Cal for many years.
John Eilertson
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As a movie fan, especially DH flicks, I think the way he "solved" the cases in the last 4 movies might have been an attempt to show that Callahan was skilled in areas outside of 'mere' shooting skills. And I also read that Inspector Moore carried a Python--well, if so, that's the smallest one they ever made. Yet, the cops in "Magnum Force" carried Pythons, as did the SF Force in those days. Maybe Tyne Daly is close to 7 feet tall...?
gkitch
Member
Brilliantly stated, sir!
Anton Chigurh
Member
Well....Dirty Harry is a classic, even iconic film. All that followed fell way short of the bar. Sure, there were scenes in subsequent flicks that almost captured the essence of DH, but none really worked for the entire movie. Yet when a beloved President challenges a scummy country to do something really stupid and "make my day " , you have to adjust the level of the bar, I think
marlin58
Member
NFrameFred
Member
Actually, I recall seeing shots on more than one occasion in the movies (at least in "Magnum Force" and maybe "The Enforcer") where Harry's gun sported diamond target grips. It can be easily seen in a shot where the gun is hanging in the holster on a coat stand just inside the door.
Frank237
Absent Comrade
One of the "Dirty Harry" movie guns was at this past SHOT Show in Vegas. In a display with the "Miami Vice" 645 auto and several other notable movie guns.
IIRC this M29 was used in "Magnum Force".
FN in MT
IIRC this M29 was used in "Magnum Force".
FN in MT
If Clint Eastwood kept one, that's nice !
BTW, it could be interessant to know who (and why) decided to give that kind of gun for the heroe ? As i could understand it, the mod 29. was not at this time a top seller, nor well known....so why put that kind of big bore handgun in the hand of an actor ? ....Do you think Smith & Wesson staff was for something in this choice fortunately it was Eastwood who got the role instead of Sinatra...do you think it would be the same....impact if you've seen Franky shooting with a 44 mag ?....without doing the recoil ?
R.
BTW, it could be interessant to know who (and why) decided to give that kind of gun for the heroe ? As i could understand it, the mod 29. was not at this time a top seller, nor well known....so why put that kind of big bore handgun in the hand of an actor ? ....Do you think Smith & Wesson staff was for something in this choice fortunately it was Eastwood who got the role instead of Sinatra...do you think it would be the same....impact if you've seen Franky shooting with a 44 mag ?....without doing the recoil ?
R.
I'm not sure, but I think the .44 Magnum was John Milius's idea.
Joe in SC
US Veteran
I visited the NRA National Headquarters and Firearms Museum in Fairfax VA on Tuesday of this past week. The DH 44 Magnum donated by Milius is there as depicted in several photos in this thread. It definitely appears to be a very real and genuine model 29.
The Josie Wales' guns and several others from Eastwood's movies are there as well. Lots of other movie guns and prop guns as well. Too many to mention here.
I would reccomend anyone who loves firearms as I do to visit this Museum when in the DC area. There are literally hundreds of guns on display. Many are S&W's owned by familar names. Some are beautifully engraved/gold and silver inlaid by well know factory engravers. It is worth a visit just to see the many Smith and Wessons, not to mention the dozens of great Colts, Winchesters, Sharps and presidential/royal arms on display.
Due to all the other points of interest in the immediate area I was limited to only one day to spend at the arms museum. One could easily spend 3 or 4 days there if interested in historic and marshal arms in addition all the other catagories of displays housed there.
The Josie Wales' guns and several others from Eastwood's movies are there as well. Lots of other movie guns and prop guns as well. Too many to mention here.
I would reccomend anyone who loves firearms as I do to visit this Museum when in the DC area. There are literally hundreds of guns on display. Many are S&W's owned by familar names. Some are beautifully engraved/gold and silver inlaid by well know factory engravers. It is worth a visit just to see the many Smith and Wessons, not to mention the dozens of great Colts, Winchesters, Sharps and presidential/royal arms on display.
Due to all the other points of interest in the immediate area I was limited to only one day to spend at the arms museum. One could easily spend 3 or 4 days there if interested in historic and marshal arms in addition all the other catagories of displays housed there.
I don't think they put aside the same Model 29s for use in each movie. It makes sense that they used the same Model 29s for both Dirty Harry and Magnum Force, they were filmed a year apart. Those revolvers were given to Milius, possibly Eastwood. So they are now gone.
From the Enforcer on they appear to have purchased new Model 29s. The Enforcer had a 6 1/2" barrel as was correct for the year of filming.
For Sudden Impact and Dead Pool Eastwood uses a 6" barrel, again, the model current at the time of filming. It makes sense the prop guys would just get new ones for each film, especially since each one was supposed to be his last one.
From the Enforcer on they appear to have purchased new Model 29s. The Enforcer had a 6 1/2" barrel as was correct for the year of filming.
For Sudden Impact and Dead Pool Eastwood uses a 6" barrel, again, the model current at the time of filming. It makes sense the prop guys would just get new ones for each film, especially since each one was supposed to be his last one.
IAhunter
Member
I saw one of them at the National Firearms Museum at NRA HQ in Fairfax, VA. about this time last year. From memory, it was on loan for a movie guns display they had put together. It may still be on display there. They had some of John Waynes guns, Bruce Willis' Beretta 92 from Die Hard, and a bunch of others. Cool display.
I remember reading something about one (or more) of the revolvers they used in the films was actually a 57. Can't remember where I read it.
I remember reading something about one (or more) of the revolvers they used in the films was actually a 57. Can't remember where I read it.
DARBY
Member
For us folks with cable, AMC is airing 'Dirty Harry' tonight - June 8th at 8 PM Pacific.
Time to drag out the 29-2 and strap on the Lawman Leather holster --
"I know what you're thinking.."
Time to drag out the 29-2 and strap on the Lawman Leather holster --
"I know what you're thinking.."
For us folks with cable, AMC is airing 'Dirty Harry' tonight - June 8th at 8 PM Pacific.
Time to drag out the 29-2 and strap on the Lawman Leather holster --
"I know what you're thinking.."
"I should've watched the left hand!"
Arisin Wind
Member
Watching Sudden Impact and I noticed Harry is using a Bianchi X2100 to carry his M29 when he is showing Horace the 44 Auto Mag.
This scene also has a continuity error. Harry starts off wearing the harness one way and in the middle of the scene it changes.
This scene also has a continuity error. Harry starts off wearing the harness one way and in the middle of the scene it changes.
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I loved reading this thread. My wife is watching a "Chick Flick" on FIOS and I am enjoying these posts immensly (sp?) with some Peltor head sets on. I have an 8 3/8" bbl Model 29-2 which I shoot often and lovingly take care of. God bless you all and God bless Smith & Wesson!
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