Question about one of my Favorite Movies

Regret Chancy · September 21, 2009, 08:27:09 PM

Howdy Pards, Sam Elliot is one of my favorite actors and one of my top five western movies is Conagher. His pistol was a S&W Russian and his rifle was a '73. When he goes in to Horse Creek Station and talks to the proprieter about the Apaches he fought with he orders 44 cartridges and the prop throws in another box of 44 cartridges for the ones he used in the fight. My confusion comes from the single type of cartridges. The pistol would be in 44 Russian but the rifle would be 44/40. I know it is not directly mentioned specifying caliber in one or the other and while not being a major detail i figgered i would ask to see if anyone else knows. Thanks, Regret Chancy

Will Ketchum · September 21, 2009, 10:10:46 PM

It's Hollywood! To them one 44 is the same as another

Since at the Russian was available in 44 Henry rimfire if the rifle would have been a 66 or a Henry it would have been fine. The New Model Number 3 was available in 44-40. Oh well It's still on of my favorite Westerns.

Will Ketchum

Regret Chancy · September 22, 2009, 01:36:35 PM

Mine too Will Ketchum. Just got my new Conagher belt and 2 holster rig from Chisums Trail Leather and it is sssswwwweeeeettttt!
Alan does quite a bit of movie replica rigs for Guns of the Old West Magazine. When we talked about it I ordered and got the prototype and helped him get it rollin for an upcoming issue. He did another rig for me first a few months ago, The Virgil Earp double for my schofields and it is a work of art. Back to the movie sorry I got off track. He Sam Elliot pretty much sums up everything that I imagine a cowboy being in this role. Honest, hardworking, loyal, game like a fighting cock, and willing to put it on the line for the ideals that a person should believe are right. Man I wish everybody was shaped in this manner. Can you imagine that sort of world to live in? Keep the spirit alive and growin, Regret Chancy

Stillwater · February 24, 2010, 10:29:43 PM

Quote from: Regret Chancy on September 21, 2009, 08:27:09 PM
Howdy Pards, Sam Elliot is one of my favorite actors and one of my top five western movies is Conagher. His pistol was a S&W Russian and his rifle was a '73. When he goes in to Horse Creek Station and talks to the proprieter about the Apaches he fought with he orders 44 cartridges and the prop throws in another box of 44 cartridges for the ones he used in the fight. My confusion comes from the single type of cartridges. The pistol would be in 44 Russian but the rifle would be 44/40. I know it is not directly mentioned specifying caliber in one or the other and while not being a major detail i figgered i would ask to see if anyone else knows. Thanks, Regret Chancy

I grew up in hardcore cowboy country, southwestern Montana, and the older men in my family were all cowboys, even my grandfather, who broke horses even into his mid-eighties.

It would seem reasonable to me that the proprieter of a store, in those days, would have known the caliber of his pistol, and his rifle, just by seeing them. In the real world the rifle would probably have been used in an indian fight...

Bill

WaddWatsonEllis · February 24, 2010, 11:52:13 PM

Regarding this Sam Elliot movie ...

1.) Was it in the capability of the average gunsmith to rechamber/rebarrel a rifle so that a man on the range would only have to carry one ammo?

2.) I hear all the time that Winchester Arms was alot like Alice's Restaurant ... (You can get anything you want ...). Could the character in the movie that Sam Elliot played have ordered the '73 in 44-40 or .44 Russian? For the same reason as above ... one type of ammo ...

Just curious ...

Stillwater · February 25, 2010, 01:21:14 AM

Quote from: WaddWatsonEllis on February 24, 2010, 11:52:13 PM
Regarding this Sam Elliot movie ...

1.) Was it in the capability of the average gunsmith to rechamber/rebarrel a rifle so that a man on the range would only have to carry one ammo?

2.) I hear all the time that Winchester Arms was alot like Alice's Restaurant ... (You can get anything you want ...). Could the character in the movie that Sam Elliot played have ordered the '73 in 44-40 or .44 Russian? For the same reason as above ... one type of ammo ...

Just curious ...

Interesting questions...

Bill

St. George · February 25, 2010, 02:28:59 AM

Take a look through 'The Winchester book' - by Madis.

Using the 'John Ford Reference Library' for historical accuracy is a mistake - as is using a novel.

Stop 'hearing all the time' - and read something that has an actual bibliography and solid references - you'll learn more, that way.

Scouts Out!

WaddWatsonEllis · February 25, 2010, 07:23:44 AM

St George,

I appologize for placing questions on this forum.

As a retired person with a very limited budget, I am not able to own a library or be so well read as yourself.

This is not the first curt reply to an inquiry on threads you monitor.

I shall attempt to avoid any question that might challenge you in the future.

Best wishes

St. George · February 25, 2010, 08:08:43 AM

WWE,

You're retired - and that can impact 'discretionary income' - but the Public Library is free.

Knowing this as you do - then put a Librarian to work and have them ferret out titles that you may need to review - and get them into your hands via an 'Inter-Library Loan' from distant libraries.

Sometimes, these require that you stay at the Library proper in order to use them - other times, you can take them home.

I believe the ones viewed as 'valuable reference' material are also the more pilferable so they keep closer tabs on them - but in my experience, Librarians are more than happy to help their patrons when possible.

Use the 'John Ford Reference Library' for entertainment purposes and not as a touchstone to authenticity - 'artistic license' overwhelms that media and no one acts as a watchdog, because they want to sell the 'Myth of the Old West'.

If they portrayed the reality, it would be too boring to film.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Deadeye Dick · February 25, 2010, 10:55:51 AM

WWE,
I think most CAS CITY members don't have a problem with questions being asked on this forum. After all this is one of the reasons for having this forum. Most times I don't have the time nor the inclination (depending on the subject) to do the research required and that is the reason to ask and the reason to answer in order to help each other out. If one doesn't wish to respond then they don't have to. I for one don't mind sharing my knowledge with members.
Avoiding questions that may incite some members of the forum is not a good reason to quit asking them. That's their problem not yours.
Deadeye Dick

Drayton Calhoun · September 27, 2010, 11:17:35 PM

I seem to recall being told once we are all ignorant until we learn, we all learn by asking questions and the only dumb question is the one not asked.