Vera Cruz
Original Theatrical Poster
Vera Cruz Robert Aldrich and adapted from a story by Borden Chase. The movie stars Gary Cooper as Benjamin Trane, ex-Confederate soldier and Burt Lancaster as gunslinger Joe Erin, the boss of mercenary gang. During the Franco-Mexican War both men are recruited to escort Countess Duvarre (Denise Darcel), the favorite of the Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, to the seaport city of Veracruz. The mission becomes even more dangerous when it turns out that Countess' stagecoach transports a large load of gold.
Note: the story is set in 1866, and nearly all weapons in the movie don't fit that time.
The following weapons were used in the film Vera Cruz :
Revolvers Single Action Army Single Action Army Civilian Model Joe Erin's (Burt Lancaster ) handgun is a nickel plated Single Action Army "Civilian" Model revolver with pearl grips. Many mercenaries, including Donnegan (Ernest Borgnine ), Pittsburgh (Charles Bronson , at that time still credited as Charles Buchinsky), Reno (Charles Horvath ), Little-Bit (James McCallion ), Tex (Jack Elam ), Ballard (Archie Savage ), carry common "Civilian" revolvers; their handguns sometimes switch between "Civilian" and "Artillery" (see below) models due to numerous continuity errors.
Note: see additional screenshots and promotional images on talk page .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Single Action Army with 4.75" barrel, case colored and blued, referred to as "Quick-Draw" or "Civilian" model - .45 Long Colt Error creating thumbnail: File missing Erin draws the revolver after Benjamin Trane (Gary Cooper ) draws his gun (not as agression but to shoot a lame horse). Error creating thumbnail: File missing Donnegan aims his revolver at Trane during the conflict in the Mexican bar. Pittsburgh (at the left) draws an "Artillery" revolver that later switches to a "Civilian". Error creating thumbnail: File missing Donnegan and Reno hold "Civilian" revolvers in the same scene. Reno's revolver switches to an "Artillery" model in next scene. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Erin fires his revolver at Capt. Danette and his cavalrymen during the chase after the stagecoach. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mercenaries aim their revolvers at Erin and Trane. From left to right: Little-Bit, Abilene (with "Artillery" model), and Tex. Error creating thumbnail: File missing From left to right: Donnegan, Pittsburgh and Ballard, all with "Civilian" model revolvers. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A good view of the pearl grip of Erin's revolver. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Erin fires at Ballard who drives stagecoach with gold. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Erin holds his revolver during the final duel with Trane. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A view of Erin's revolver from the back. Single Action Army Artillery Model Benjamin Trane's (Gary Cooper ) revolver is a Single Action Army "Artillery" Model . Mercenaries Pittsburgh (Charles Bronson ), Reno (Charles Horvath ), Abilene (James Seay ) and some unnamed ones are also seen with "Artillery" revolvers; their handguns sometimes switch between "Civilian" (see above) and "Artillery" models due to numerous continuity errors.
Note: see additional screenshots and promotional images on talk page .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Single Action Army with 5.5" barrel known as the "Artillery" model - .45 Long Colt Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane draws his revolver to shoot the lame horse. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane turns in saddle to fire at a cavalry officer. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane holds the revolver during the confrontation with Erin. The pearl grip of Erin's "Civilian" revolver is seen. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pittsburgh holds an "Artillery" revolver during the conflict in a bar. Later his revolver switches to a "Civilian" model. Error creating thumbnail: File missing In the same scene Reno's revolver switches from a "Civilian" to "Artillery" model. Another mercenary (unnamed) also holds an "Artillery" revolver. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane shows his marksmanship in the scene in the palace. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mercenaries aim their revolvers at Erin and Trane. Abilene (in center) holds an "Artillery" model, others are armed with "Civilian" revolvers. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane's revolver in holster during the final duel with Erin. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane stands over dead Erin. Colt 1860 Army (Richards Conversion) Colt 1860 Army revolvers with Richards cartridge conversion are used by officers of Emperor Maximilian's army, notably Emperor's trusted person Marquis Henri de Labordere (Cesar Romero ), and by Mexicans, notably the commander of Juarista troops General Ramirez (Morris Ankrum ). Most revolvers are of compact version but some full-length revolvers are also seen.
Note: see additional screenshots and promotional images on talk page .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt 1860 Army with Richards cartridge conversion, compact model. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt 1860 Army with Richards cartridge conversion. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A cavalry officer fires his revolver at Trane. This is a compact version. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another view of the officer's revolver. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Marquis Henri de Labordere holds his revolver when he secretly sneaks to the stagecoach, loaded with gold. Error creating thumbnail: File missing One of Gen. Ramirez' men fires at a cavalry officer during the ambush on the convoy. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing A revolver in hand of gunned officer. Error creating thumbnail: File missing An Emperor's Guard fires a full-length revolver. Another Guard next to him readies a revolver of same version. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gen. Ramirez holds a compact version of converted Colt 1860. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pedro (Juan García ), one of Ramirez' men, holds a revolver (in center). Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Mexican at the left holds a revolver. Compact Smith & Wesson Revolver Countess Marie Duvarre (Denise Darcel ) owns a nickel plated compact top-break Smith & Wesson revolver of unclear model (it is possible that the revolver isn't even S&W but a production of some other manufacturer).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing For comparison: Smith & Wesson 4th Model Double Action - .32 S&W Error creating thumbnail: File missing Countess Duvarre fires at an attacking Mexican. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another view of the same scene. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Countess Duvarre holds the revolver when she watches the storming of Vera Cruz from the balcony. Unidentified revolver Capt. Danette (Henry Brandon ) carries an unidentified revolver with swing out cylinder (such models appeared more than twenty years later). It appears to be some Colt model.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Capt. Danette fires at Joe Erin. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another view of Danette's revolver. The shape of the frame allows to guess that this is a Colt model. Rifles and Muskets Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine Benjamin Trane (Gary Cooper ), Joe Erin (Burt Lancaster ) and several of his men, including Pittsburgh (Charles Bronson ), Donnegan (Ernest Borgnine ), Abilene (James Seay ), Tex (Jack Elam ), and Ballard (Archie Savage ), use Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbines . In the scene when Joe Erin demonstrates his Winchester to Emperor Maximilian (George Macready ), the carbine is fired fourteen times a row.
Note: see additional screenshots and promotional images on talk page .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Winchester 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine - .32WCF/.38-40/.44-40/.25-20. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Joe Erin holds a Winchester when he meets Benjamin Trane. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Tex holds a Winchester. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pittsburgh holds a Winchester during the visit in Emperor's palace. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Erin takes the Winchester from Pittsburgh and hands it to Maximilian who is interested in the modern rifle (that would appear only after about a quarter of century). Error creating thumbnail: File missing Erin demonstrates shooting of the rifle. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane takes the Winchester and fires at targets. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Maximilian fires the rifle. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pittsburgh and Donnegan fire their rifles during the storming of Vera Cruz. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane and Erin fire their rifles during the storming of Vera Cruz. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane holds his Winchester after the battle. Winchester Model 1892 Mockup When Erin uses his Winchester for a close combat, the actual rifle is replaced with a mockup, possibly a rubber prop.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Note the bent barrel and magazine. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mockup Winchester on the ground together with equally mockup Rolling Block carbine. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Erin uses his mockup rifle as a club. Springfield Model 1873 Cavalry Carbine Springfield Model 1873 Cavalry Carbines are used by Maximilian's troops, both cavalry and infantry.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Replica Springfield Model 1873 Cavalry Carbine "Trapdoor Springfield" built by Uberti Arms - .45-70 Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cavalrymen fire after escaping Trane. The mixture of Napoleonic style cuirasses and helmets with breechloading rifles looks unusual. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cavalrymen of the escort of Countess Duvarre hold carbines during the rest stop at the monastery. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A carbine is seen in saddle holster. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Soldiers, defending the Vera Cruz fort, are mostly armed with Trapdoor carbines. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Soldiers with Trapdoor carbines and Remington Rolling Block rifles and carbines. Springfield Model 1873 Rifle Springfield Model 1873 Rifles are used by Emperor's troops, including Guards (in red uniform), and Mexican republicans. Some are mocked up as flintlock muskets.
Note: see additional screenshots on talk page .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Replica Springfield Model 1873 "Trapdoor Springfield" built by Uberti Arms - .45-70 Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Guards in Emperor's palace. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mexican republicans with Trapdoor rifles in the scene of the attack on the convoy. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mexicans fire from the rooftop. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Soldiers at the Gatling Gun (see below) carry Trapdoor rifles. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Guards fire their rifles during the battle in Vera Cruz. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Guards fire at attacking Mexican republicans. Trapdoor Springfield (Mocked Up as Flintlock Muskets) Mexican republicans are also armed with flintlock muskets that turn out to be visually modified Trapdoor Springfield rifles and carbines. Similar props started appearing on screen as early as 1930s.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mexicans take aim at Marquis de Labordere's cavalrymen. Their muskets are Trapdoor rifles with fake flintlocks. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another view of the same scene. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mexicans in ambush. A Trapdoor carbine with fake flintlock is seen at the left. Remington Rolling Block Carbine Remington Rolling Block carbines are widely used by Mexican republicans but also are seen in hands of Maximilian's soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Remington Model 1867 Rolling Block Carbine - .50-45 Error creating thumbnail: File missing A man of Gen. Ramirez' unit holds a Remington Rolling Block carbine. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Rolling Block carbines in hands of Mexicans during the attack on the convoy. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Mexican aims his carbine. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Mexican in center holds a Rolling Block carbine. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Mexican fires from a rooftop. The movement of the hammer is seen. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Mexican spots the convoy from the stairs of the ancient pyramid. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Some soldiers of the honor guard are armed with Rolling Block carbines; Trapdoor Springfield carbines are also seen. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Many Mexicans, attacking the fortress in Vera Cruz, are armed with Rolling Block carbines. Remington Rolling Block Rifle Remington Rolling Block rifles are also used by Mexican republicans.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Remington Rolling Block Militarized - .45 caliber Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gen. Ramirez' men on the barricade are armed with Remington Rolling Block in both rifle and carbine versions. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Many Mexicans, attacking the fortress in Vera Cruz, are armed with Rolling Block rifles (Rolling Block carbines are also seen). Unidentified Rifles/Muskets Some percussion cap muskets or rifles of unidentified models are seen in several scenes.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing An artilleryman at the right carries a percussion cap musket. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A French sailor fires at Donnegan. His gun is a percussion cap musket with short, two-band barrel. Sawed-off Flintlock Musket An aged Mexican holds a sawed-off flintlock musket. Possibly this gun is a visually modified breechloading rifle, like full-length flintlocks (see above).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A sawed-off musket is seen in hands of an aged Mexican. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The flint lock is seen. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The pistol grip, made of sawed-off buttstock, is seen. Machine Guns Colt Model 1883 Gatling Gun A Colt Model 1883 Gatling Gun is used by Maximilian's troops and later captured by Trane and Erin.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt Model 1883 Gatling Gun with 104-round Accles Drum - .45-70 Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Gatling Gun is seen at the right. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Gatling is aimed at the attacking Mexican republicans. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A close view of the barrel and drum. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane, Erin and Pittsburgh run to the Gatling after they killed the crew. Error creating thumbnail: File missing They aim the Gatling at enemy field gun. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane opens fire. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A close view of the muzzles of the Gatling. One barrel is currently firing. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane and Erin rush away from the Gatling when they see a grenade thrown at them. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Erin and Trane with the Gatling Gun on a promotional image. Other Weapons Hand Grenade Several hand grenades are seen near the Gatling Gun. Trane uses one of them to blow gunpowder. These spherical hand grenades with tail fins are most likely props, specially made for filming, rather than some genuine grenades. They are possibly inspired by Ketchum Grenade, used by Union troops in the American Civil War, but they still look different.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A half dozen of grenades near the destroyed Gatling gun. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Trane picks up a grenade and throws it to the field cannon in order to blow up the gunpowder and thus stop attacking enemy cavalry. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The grenade is seen in mid-air (in red circle). Trivia Field Cannon A muzzleloading field cannon is used in battle. This is most likely a modern replica. The cannon fires and shows correct recoil after the shot.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A cannon on position. Error creating thumbnail: File missing An artilleryman ignits the powder charge. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Fire! Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another view of the cannon on position. The barrel of Gatling Gun, aimed at the cannon, is seen at the foreground. 
