Bob, I know you’ve been working on this acquisition for some time now- fantastic to see it come to fruition! Congratulations and can hardly wait to see them and you in Tulsa!
Absolutely outstanding!
Absolutely outstanding!
DRAGNET Chiefs reunited
- Thread starter two-bit cowboy
- Start date
I never knew Officer Frank Smith (Ben Alexander) carried a "Chiefs Special" on the Dragnet Series. I always saw Him carrying a S&W or Colt 6" revolver with stag grips in a cross draw holster.
Congratulations, Bob! Very nice 'pairing'. You have taken "wrangling of stray Chiefs" to a whole new level! Well, well done.
I know nothing about it ….. but I think the revolvers they carried on the show were props and these were presentation guns to the actors - their personal revolvers not the ones used on the show ? Could that be correct ?
Bob,
Those are the stuff dreams are made of...
See you in Tulsa!
Al
Those are the stuff dreams are made of...
See you in Tulsa!
Al
Identifying firearms used in movies and TV series is always complicated. The firearm props person does all the loading and unloading of blanks for the many 'takes' usually associated with filming a scene.
So to keep things moving ("time is money" is never more true than in movie making!), several firearms are rotated between the actors and the prop man so that a loaded gun is always ready for the next take.
Particularly in westerns you'll notice the actor(s) will be shooting a 4 5/8" barreled single action but in the next scene the same actor will be shooting a 5 1/2" single action; especially in the old 'B' westerns. You might see a single action used in one scene than a double action in the next scene.
Some movie directors are more particular about these inconsistencies than others. When the gun used is an unusual model, more effort is used to keep the same type of guns in rotation. As I recall there were three different long barrel S&W N frame revolvers used by Clint Eastwood in his Dirty Harry movie roles and not all were 44 Magnums.
It's much easier these days to fool the public with so many cop shows using 'black' semi-auto handguns or shoulder arms that all look alike at a glance.
Side note: We've probably all seen the big shootout at the end of the movie "Open Range" with Costner and Duval. I was amazed to learn that the gunfight required over 40,000 rounds to film.
So to keep things moving ("time is money" is never more true than in movie making!), several firearms are rotated between the actors and the prop man so that a loaded gun is always ready for the next take.
Particularly in westerns you'll notice the actor(s) will be shooting a 4 5/8" barreled single action but in the next scene the same actor will be shooting a 5 1/2" single action; especially in the old 'B' westerns. You might see a single action used in one scene than a double action in the next scene.
Some movie directors are more particular about these inconsistencies than others. When the gun used is an unusual model, more effort is used to keep the same type of guns in rotation. As I recall there were three different long barrel S&W N frame revolvers used by Clint Eastwood in his Dirty Harry movie roles and not all were 44 Magnums.
It's much easier these days to fool the public with so many cop shows using 'black' semi-auto handguns or shoulder arms that all look alike at a glance.
Side note: We've probably all seen the big shootout at the end of the movie "Open Range" with Costner and Duval. I was amazed to learn that the gunfight required over 40,000 rounds to film.
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Patrick L
Member
I'm only familiar with the Dragnet episodes from the late 60s. In fact I watch it every morning right after Highway Patrol. I need to find some of those older episodes.
So Jack Webb was a genuine "gun guy?"
So Jack Webb was a genuine "gun guy?"
DWalt
Member
Am I correct in assuming these two were presentation pieces to Webb and Alexander by someone? I do know Friday used at least a Colt DS in earlier episodes, and later an M&P snubby. I don't remember Smith carrying anything other than a 6" M&P in the series.
I sort of remember that Alexander owned a car dealership in LA after his run in the series ended.
I sort of remember that Alexander owned a car dealership in LA after his run in the series ended.
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You know, I was thinking about this a couple days ago, wondering how it was going.
The only TV gun that would top this for me would be Lucas McCain's Winchester.
Congratulations on completing the deal. You win the forum today, for sure.
Here's the original thread:
A new 5-screw Chiefs Special for Christmas. Are you a fan of "Dragnet"?
The only TV gun that would top this for me would be Lucas McCain's Winchester.
Congratulations on completing the deal. You win the forum today, for sure.
Here's the original thread:
A new 5-screw Chiefs Special for Christmas. Are you a fan of "Dragnet"?
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Patrick L
Member
IIRC, wasn't McCain rifle an El Tigre copy?
Gary Cooper's personal carry-gun was a 2" .38 M&P. It sold in the last Rock Island auction (12/8/2023) for a hammer price of $10,000. The estimated price range was $5000 - $7500 .
Mike Priwer
Mike Priwer
There was a stunt gun (the El Tigre) and a couple of gen-u-ine '92 Winchesters. I'd be happy with any one of them.
kev74
Member
It doesn't look like they shot them much.
Beautiful revolvers!
Beautiful revolvers!
OP
OP
Jimmy, nobody said Officer Smith ever carried a Chiefs Special.
As Jim (Hondo44 suggested) these were presentation trophies.
OP
Yes, most certainly.
OP
I have an invoice for a S&W 9mm auto (some call it a pre-model 39)
S&W presented to Jack Webb. Serial number 714.
It's pictured in Dr. Jinks' book, Images of America: Smith &
Wesson on page 46. The caption says it's Sgt. Joe Friday and
Officer Bill Gannon, but the second guy is really Officer Frank
Smith (Ben Alexander).
To my knowledge none of the other stars on the show ever got a
revolver or semi-automatic as a gift from S&W.
.38SuperMan
Member
I used to watch Dragnet with my dad and I still love watching them and listening to the old radio shows.
This is my understanding too. Watching episodes and looking at old production stills I believe it was an M&P or model 10. I’ve read in several references that this is what he carried.
I’ve also read that the revolver was owned by the LAPD and Webb used it during filming then turned it back in to the LAPD for safe keeping.
Unfortunately it’s been a while and I can’t provide references but I read that Smith and Wesson presented them with their own personal revolvers. I’d guess since these are engraved and they’re in perfect condition plus Jacks is a pinto that those are the ones that were presented by Smith.
Not related to the two guns but I understand Webb was honored upon his death with a full police funeral and the badge number 714 was retired.
Please correct me if I’m wrong.
These would look really cool in the SCSW 5......hint, hint....
There's a place for that excellent suggestion...These would look really cool in the SCSW 5......hint, hint....
...BenSimilar threads
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