L.A. Confidential is the 1997 feature film adaptation of the novel written by James Ellroy (the L.A. crime novelist whose stories have been adapted into such films as The Black Dahlia, Dark Blue and Street Kings). Set in the early 1950's, the film follows three LAPD detectives whose paths cross during an investigation into a multiple homicide that involved a former officer. The film's cast includes Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, and James Cromwell. L.A. Confidential was also adapted for television in a pilot film that starred Kiefer Sutherland as Det. Jack Vincennes.
The following firearms were used in the film L.A. Confidential (1997):
The Colt Detective Special snubnose revolver is most commonly seen gun in the film. This revolver is carried by both Officer Bud White (Russell Crowe) and Lt. Ed Exley (Guy Pearce). Det. Richard Stensland (Graham Beckel) also carries one of these, seen only when he hands it over to his superiors.
Exley tells Capt. Smith that the cook grabbed a .38 caliber revolver, but was murdered before he could use it. It appears to be a Colt Police Positive as the frame size and grips are too small to be a Colt Official Police. White disarms Leland "Buzz" Meeks (Darrell Sandeen) of this revolver near the start of the film as well.
Officer White plants a Smith & Wesson .32 Hand Ejector Third Model in the hand of rapist Sylvester Fitch (Jeff Sanders). It is identifiable as the .32 Third Model by the ejector rod and the S&W trademark on the left side of the frame. This particular model was the "I" frame. Predecessor to the "J" frame.
Capt. Dudley Smith (James Cromwell) appears to be using a Smith & Wesson Combat Masterpiece with a 4" barrel during the climactic shootout at the Victory Motel. The story takes place before 1957 when Smith & Wesson began numbering its models.
Sgt. Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) carries what appears to be a Colt Government with customized grips as his duty sidearm, carrying it during the "Movie Premiere Pot Bust" and while arresting the Nite Owl suspects.
Roland Navarette (Steven Lambert) is seen using an M1911A1 when Exley and Carlisle bust in a hideout. White gets one from his car, giving the pistol and an extra magazine to Exley to use during the final gunfight at the Victory Motel.
Almost as commonly seen as the Colt Detective Special, the 12-gauge Ithaca 37 is the main shotgun seen in the film. Michael Breuning (Tomas Arana), William Carlisle, Exley, and White are among the officers seen using this shotgun throughout the film. Carlisle and Exley carry these during the Bunker Hill apartment raid, leading to Exley's "Shotgun Ed" moniker. At the Victory Motel shootout finale, Bud White uses the shotgun with great effect.
Several Winchester Model 1912 shotguns are seen in the back seat of the '49 Mercury when Vincennes and Exley search for the Nite Owl suspects. The Nite Owl shooters were said to have used 12-gauge pump shotguns with a five-shell capacity.
