Guns in the flick “The Highway Men”

[Banjo 10-79]

Caught this film again tonight. Had a medical procedure done yesterday and I got the insomnia. Still an enjoyable film to re watch.

Anyone own a sort of period correct, similar example as to the guns featured in the movie?

I have a Remington Model 11 similar to what Frank Hamer (Costner) totes in a few scenes.

It's an old 12 with a long ago shortened barrel. Picked it up dirt cheap in the early 2000's. Solid vent rib, aftermarket gold bead, suicide safety. Nothing fancy no collector value but I don't mind.

 

[CH4]

I have an M8, M11, M1894, M1917. Wish I had the BAR and Tommy gun.

 

[Banjo 10-79]

I'm a newbie I guess this might be the wrong place for this topic.

Anyways I always liked those model 8's but alas I've never owned one. I did get to fire a real deal full auto Thompson at an in service training. That was awesome.

 

[Alpo]

Exactly what is a suicide safety? I've heard of suicide doors on cars, but never a suicide safety on a gun.

 

[Banjo 10-79]

The safety is located inside the trigger guard. Similar to an M1 Garand, but not exactly the same. Later switched to a cross bolt safety like on an 870.

 

[Inusuit]

I found it interesting that Hamer went to the gun store and bought all those firearms but every time there is a potential shootout, Gault pulls a Colt SAA. But that's a movie.

 

[CH4]

I found it interesting that Hamer went to the gun store and bought all those firearms but every time there is a potential shootout, Gault pulls a Colt SAA. But that's a movie.

Yep, and some people go to Baskin Robins and order vanilla.

 

[dmn57]

The gun store scene reminded me of when Arnold was stocking up in the original Terminator.

 

[Banjo 10-79]

Looked like modern plastic hull shotgun shells as well. I'm no historian but I believe shotgun hulls were paper or brass in those days.

I do believe both Hamer and Gault carried SA Colts in real life. Don't know if they whipped em out dramatically in the climax of the ambush in real life though. I think those carry pieces were a part of the story. A relic of their past maybe but it also highlights it's the Indian, not the Arrow. Although Hamer made sure they had overwhelming fire superiority when it was go time.

I really enjoyed W Earl Brown's character as the father that was betrays the gang to save his son. He's fantastic especially as Big Dan Dority in Deadwood.

 

[Banjo 10-79]

The gun store scene reminded me of when Arnold was stocking up in the original Terminator.

Only what you see pal.

 

[old tanker]

...I do believe both Hamer and Gault carried SA Colts in real life...A relic of their past maybe...

You tend to have faith in the things you used when you were young that allowed you to become old.

I am that Boomer that the Millenial, in his Glock Perfection ball cap worn backwards, sneers derisively at over my 1911 in .45 AARP.

I can see why those boys carried an SAA still. But I can also appreciate why Hamer also used a .38 Super for its ability to punch through car bodies of the era.

 

[Rudi]

Not a big fan of Woody, but it was a great movie.

 

[Banjo 10-79]

Woody is a unique individual. His performance in season one of True Detective was epic.

 

[Venom6]

You tend to have faith in the things you used when you were young that allowed you to become old.

THIS.

 

[Mule Packer]

I found it interesting that Hamer went to the gun store and bought all those firearms but every time there is a potential shootout, Gault pulls a Colt SAA. But that's a movie.

I vaguely remember reading a statement by Hamer's daughter who said that Gault was one of those guys who was extremely proficient with a SAA. I'm thinking it was in the John Boessenecker book. Anyway, if he was as good with his Colt single-action as she said, I can see why he might favor it. As they say, "You go home with the one who brought you to the dance." And if that was the gun that had "saved his bacon" all those years, it makes sense why he preferred it.

 

[sceva]

I found it interesting that Hamer went to the gun store and bought all those firearms but every time there is a potential shootout, Gault pulls a Colt SAA. But that's a movie.

Frank Hamer always had Lucky, his SAA on him too.

 

[DWalt]

Although it has been widely believed that Hamer used a Remington Model 8 in the B&C ambush, the best research suggests that he probably had a Remington Model 11. Guess we will never be sure, not that it makes any difference. And, as most know, Hamer was not a Texas Ranger at that time as the Texas Rangers had earlier been disbanded by Governor "Ma" Ferguson. Hamer was instead working as a special agent for the state prison system director. Previously he had been an unpaid state highway patrolman.

I still own a flock of Remington Model 8s and 81s, and did have several Remington Model 11s which are long gone.

 

[rockquarry]

Many of you may have already read "Texas Ranger" by John Boessenecker. If not and you have an interest in this discussion and Frank Hamer, read this book. Among other aspects of the book, there is a very detailed account of the Bonnie and Clyde ambush and all that lead up to it.

I have several Bonnie and Clyde books, some of which cover the incident well, but I don't recall any that were more complete than what's in the Hamer book. I think there are several Hamer books, but I'm pretty sure they are lesser books than the one by Boessenecker.

 

[DWalt]

I have an M8, M11, M1894, M1917. Wish I had the BAR and Tommy gun.

No tommy guns at the B&C ambush, but several movies portray them as being there. Just for dramatic effect, I suppose.

 

[Truckman]

Many of you may have already read "Texas Ranger" by John Boessenecker.

It's an excellent, very readable book...I recommend it......Ben