"Raiders" 1917 Homage

BlackAgnes · May 8, 2019

Fans of the Raiders of the Lost Ark may remember that two old .44 frame revolvers were used as Indy's guns. One was a 1917 and I believe the other was a .455. I wanted to create an homage to those guns--not finely finished, but something a local gunsmith might create for an adventurer to carry. One of the guns had a barrel band front sight--I imagine the barrel was shortened to about four inches.
Here's my take on that one, not quite finished yet...

This is the original gun from the film:

My picture makes my barrel band look thicker than it actually is.

Rammer Jammer · May 8, 2019

That's a cool fun project.

Still one of the best gun scenes ever committed to film.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQKrmDLvijo[/ame]

StrawHat · May 8, 2019

I’ve got one of the unbanded ones.

Kevin

Tom K · May 8, 2019

Rammer Jammer said:
That's a cool fun project.

Still one of the best gun scenes ever committed to film.
YouTube

Han shot first!

Muley Gil · May 8, 2019

Tom K said:
Han shot first!

Of course he shot first. He was the only one with a gun!!!

Read Massad Ayoob's articles about knives and reaction times. If you react too slowly, you wind up cut from stem to stern.

GRT3031 · May 8, 2019

Rammer Jammer said:
That's a cool fun project.

Still one of the best gun scenes ever committed to film.
YouTube

I saw an interview with Ford saying he was pretty ill at the time of the scene, and a brawl was supposed to take place.

Instead he improved the shot, and it made it into the film.

BlackAgnes · May 9, 2019

Nearly finished--a bit more touch-up blue and a coat of wax and off to the range! I know the Magna grips aren't authentic, but after shooting one of these with service grips, I think these will be less painful! And I think they look good, too!

andy52 · May 9, 2019

I like it! If it were mine it would be hanging on my shop wall along with a poster, Fedora and a whip.

DCWilson · May 9, 2019

Big grin looking at that. Nice hat tip to the movie -- and a functional paper plate puncher at the same time!

With that high front sight, I'm thinking the gun may print a bit low. Please let us know how it does on its range trip.

Valmet · May 9, 2019

Love hearing about these kinds of projects- very cool OP

BAM-BAM · May 9, 2019

BlackAgnes said:
Nearly finished--a bit more touch-up blue and a coat of wax and off to the range! I know the Magna grips aren't authentic, but after shooting one of these with service grips, I think these will be less painful! And I think they look good, too!

SWEEeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grayfox · May 9, 2019

I saw an interview with Ford saying he was pretty ill at the time of the scene, and a brawl was supposed to take place.

Yeah, it was written in the script to me an elaborate whip vs sword fight. But on the day of shooting, not just Ford, but many of the crew were sick as dogs. IIRC malaria was running through the entire crew. Everybody pretty much felt miserable.
Reportedly Ford said " Can't I just shoot him?" and Speilberg gave it a try. Cinematic history was made.

GRT3031 · May 11, 2019

I really like this revolver!

BlackAgnes · May 11, 2019

Thanks. Hopefully a test fire tomorrow. Just finished silver soldering the front banded sight on and it is really secure. After that, a bit of polish and touch-up and sight regulation and , Bob's yer uncle!

StrawHat · May 12, 2019

Although Indy used service stocks he was not using service ammunition. While not authentic to the movie, a grip adapter will improve the way the stocks feel in your hand and help control recoil.

Kevin

MRH · May 12, 2019

Oh now, you at least need to take a chip out of the left front of the grip ...

Doug M. · May 12, 2019

Tom K said:
Han shot first!

*
Effective self-defense is preemptive.

Muley Gil · May 12, 2019

StrawHat said:
Although Indy used service stocks he was not using service ammunition. While not authentic to the movie, a grip adapter will improve the way the stocks feel in your hand and help control recoil.

Kevin

Well, the early movies were set in the 1930s (Nazis) and S&W brought out their grip adapter in the mid '30s, so you could get a grip adapter and Magna grips.

153 · May 12, 2019

Always thought Indiana Jones should have had a registered magnum.

Hoppe's no.10 · May 12, 2019

"Indy" S & W revolvers...info.

A rather lengthy and authoritative article on "Indy's" two S & W revolvers - including numerous photos - can be found on this site: IndyGear.com: Celebrating Raiders 30th. Select "Gear" and then "Handguns" from the left-hand menu. I highly recommend this site for again - definitive and detailed info. - on the two revolvers. The article goes into some detail - barrel wall thickness, British proof marks, front sight measurements and the like.

Also included is information and photos on the Browning and Inglis Hi-Powers used in the movie. A number of years ago I sent in a correction on the Inglis Hi-Power and they actually updated the article with the new info. Hope this helps.

Hoppe's no. 10

"Raiders" 1917 Homage

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