Movie Gun

[foggbird]

I live in Wilmington, NC which has a movie studio and has filmed many different movies. The Internet can give you a list of Wilmington movies. Mostly forgettable ones, but some classics.

Some time ago I bought a Colt Cobra .38 special, old model. I supposedly came from the studios' prop department. That's not hard to believe looking at the bore. It is very corroded, like someone or many someones shot blank cartridges and never cleaned it. I would add a photo, but it looks just like every other Colt Cobra of that age. I also find it difficult to post photos.

My question is not about the Cobra but rather about the movies. I'm wondering what movies it could have been used in. My only guess is "Blue Velvet". I vaguely remember seeing a Cobra or an Agent in it. Beyond that, I have no idea about other movies shot in Wilmington. This question is likely to need a movie buff as well as a gun fancier.

Yes, I could find a Colt 2" barrel on ebay or elsewhere and have a gunsmith change it out. I have another Cobra that I carry frequently so no need to change my "movie gun" so I keep it that way.

 

[smithra_66]

Duuuuuuuude.

Have you not heard of imfdb.org?

If not, check it out. If you're interested in a database of firearms used in movies, you'll be in your glory.

 

[sipowicz]

Changing out a cobra barrel would be an iffy proposition. Most refinishers including Colt, won't touch them since the frame is aluminum and it will usually torque if you try and remove the barrel.

 

[majick47]

I'd try everything under the sun to clean that corroded barrel before trying to change the barrel out.

 

[sipowicz]

By the way, you sure it's not an actual prop gun? If it is the barrel might be plugged to not shoot real ammo.

 

[foggbird]

smithra 66: Thanks for the suggestion. I'm working on how to use it.

sipowicz: I know it's not plugged as you can look through the barrel and the cylinder. I also shot it just to test for functioning.

I won't try an new barrel on the advice of readers commenting here. I may try to scrub out the barrel. If I can get it shinny, there won't be much rifling left. Then it might made a good gun for shot loads. If there is any rifling at all, it should be legal. Meanwhile it's still my "movie gun".

 

[majick47]

I thought of the Movie "Cape Fear" filmed in Wilmonton NC in 1996 with Nick Nolte who had a Colt snub and as I remembered it turned out to be a third series stainless Colt Det with shrouded barrel. The original Cape Fear was filmed in 1961 with Gregory Peck playing the same role as Nick Nolte and he used a M36 Chiefs Special. Never know barrel might clean up enough to make it at least a belly gun.

 

[sigp220.45]

No Colt Cobra (or Detective Special) in Blue Velvet, at least according to IMFDB (which is often wrong).

Here's a list of movies filmed in Wilmington:

Movies Filmed in Wilmington, NC

I'm going with Martin Sheen's gun in Firestarter. IMFDB calls it a Detective Special, but it could just as easily be a Cobra.

 

[kaaskop49]

Sheen's gun looks like a snub Model 10 or 12.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[lihpster]

Sheen's gun looks like a snub Model 10 or 12.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Yeah, that cylinder latch sure don't look like a Colt.

 

[sigp220.45]

Sheen's gun looks like a snub Model 10 or 12.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Like I said, IMFDB is often wrong.

Here's a different shot, same movie.

 

[sipowicz]

These kind of questions would be way easier to answer if more Hollywood types signed up on gun forums instead of PETA and Gender is not Science forums.

 

[smithra_66]

Like I said, IMFDB is often wrong.

Here's a different shot, same movie.

That's a detective special or one of its variants like a Cobra.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I did have that Colt SA that was worn by a Deputy Sheriff
in Only the Lonely.
He was an actual Deputy playing a Deputy, wearing his personal Revolver.
He's the Guy standing on the big rock blocking Kurt Douglas who's leaving town on the run.