Matchlock Pistol ?

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

That's indeed the point, thinreadline:
finding out what sources the 'experts' or prop masters relied on ...

I am afraid I am unable to tell what that special pistol was supposed to be as I did not see it.

From rather sad experiences of my own, though, I can tell these film guys usually just resort to information readily available, e.g. a standard encyclopledia or of course the internet.
These sources are normally taken as granted, regardless of their authenticity.

The next thing is: the realization must be cheap and readily accessible.

Atfer all, how often have we watched tv series or movies with 19th c. Colt revolvers being fired endlessly without reloading? With flintlocks being fired without the frizzen even shut? Firing guns without the tiniest trace of a recoil?

The story of misleading the masses when it comes down to weapons is way too sad to be carried on.
Their motto seems to be: who cares anyway? A bunch of weapon freaks who will actually know? Suckers ... you sure can mess around with these!

To be honest I do remember watching one British tv film on Sir Francis Drake, as a boy in the 1960's, probably this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Fra...28TV_series%29

- and I do remember a very good representation of a late-16th c. wheellock dag in there!



Best,
Michael

Very good points Michael.
I am a bit of a gun 'nut' myself with a very wide period of interest and I am one of those who is constantly irritated by anachronistic and just plain incorrect usage of firearms in film. Vis the use of No4 Lee Enfields in a WW1 film 'Deathwatch' I saw recently etc .
What surprised me about the pistols in 'Elizabeth TGY' is that I can find no one who has commented on them on the internet . There is a surprisingly good site 'Guns in Movies' which analyses in minute detail every gun appearing in just about any film one cares to mention , but 'Elizabeth TGY' ..not a peep ! I suppose this simply reflects the paucity of knowledge of early firearms in the common realm .
Anyhow I must finish by thanking you for your excellent articles on this site especially on early accessories .. I have gained knowledge which I would be hard pushed to even know where to look for it .
Regards
Richmond

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by thinreadline

Anyhow I must finish by thanking you for your excellent articles on this site especially on early accessories .. I have gained knowledge which I would be hard pushed to even know where to look for it.
Regards
Richmond

Thank you so much, Richmond,


As my bandwidth of interest in earliest European firearms and accouterments is much narrower than yours I find it easier to concentrate on what is most important in my eyes - in order to help diminish 'the paucity of knowledge of early firearms in the common realm' as you put it well-wordedly.

I too have gained a lot from writing on the forum, from demanding requests and from what others have contributed.

Finally I think it is not only weapons enthusiasts that get fooled by the films and tv series. Just have a look at a common scene of two people talking in a car, with the driver looking constantly at the person sitting next to him and totally neglecting the road for what seems an eternity - at top speed. How real is this?



Best,
Michael

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

... Just have a look at a common scene of two people talking in a car, with the driver looking constantly at the person sitting next to him and totally neglecting the road for what seems an eternity - at top speed. How real is this? ...

There is a hidden driver beneath the wheel, provided by the production

[Matchlock]

Absolutely, 'Nando,

Just like there is a tiny guy hiding in each six-shooter revolver realoading constantly so that it will fire unintermittedly ... it's magic!

Best,
Michl

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

... Just like there is a tiny guy hiding in each six-shooter revolver realoading constantly so that it will fire unintermittedly ... it's magic! ...

Oh, i too can't resist counting the rounds in every shooting action; but i never spotted the tiny reloader

[Matchlock]

If that special tiny guy was not there, who else could have possibly worked all those miracles?!

C'm on, 'Nando, my friend: you're not gonna say Hollywood has been fooling the rest of the world for the last 100-plus years, are ya!?


m

[rickystl]

Hi Michael!! THANK YOU for your most detailed and informative response. You always under promise and over deliver!! I'm back at this thread a little late. I've been busy reading/sharing the additional Posts and threads you so kindly provided. Wonderful. I and others can't thank you enough.

Further down this Thread the conversation went to movie type guns. Thought you all might enjoy these pics. Michael said:

"Flintlocks firing without their frizzen even being closed"

This a cut down M1873 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle made to look like a flintlock -from a distance. These were used in the early movies from the 1930's up to probably the early 1960's. This specimen is from the U.S. MGM Studios inventory. Have no idea what movie(s) this was used in. But it sure has seen a lot of use. These pics don't belong on the European Forum, but thought I would post them in case anyone was curious. Thanks again, Rick.