Use of Actual Vintage Arms as Props in Early Films

David R · 30th January 2025, 03:32 PM

I did some filming for Disney back in the 1980's when they were setting up a "ride" for Disney World Paris. Interesting experience, and during preparation they were issuing some actors with original and genuine Ottoman armour!

Similarly when working for the BBC on the series "Soldiers" they dressed the battlefield with some original French Cuirasses. In both cases these had come from UK based Props/costume companies, and you could see multiple stick on labels from the previous hundred years or so.

Never got any pics at the time as it was pre phone-camera times, but here's some shots from the BBC production. Dunno who took them, but shared by my old reenactment group to Fb. Btw, I'm the French Sergeant in these shots. Great Days!

Jim McDougall · 2nd February 2025, 07:23 AM

David! Some FASCINATING background there! and its fascinating that you got to see this stuff firsthand. I keep recalling guys I knew who got some amazing pieces in auctions when they cleared out movie prop and costume warehouses in the 70s.
I heard of a dealer who furnished numbers of authentic weapons on loan for "Pirates of the Caribbean" and another who had various Spanish colonial arms and items (even antique ox arts) for period movies.

David R · 7th February 2025, 12:10 AM

Once its in the props store it's not an antique anymore, but just an old prop! Valued no more and no less than than any other.... and they hang on to them like mad.
It's the same with "frocks" (costume) valued only for its use on stage or in front of the camera. I worked in Leeds costume dept for ten years and saw it first hand.

30th January 2025, 03:32 PM	#1
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,120	I did some filming for Disney back in the 1980's when they were setting up a "ride" for Disney World Paris. Interesting experience, and during preparation they were issuing some actors with original and genuine Ottoman armour! Similarly when working for the BBC on the series "Soldiers" they dressed the battlefield with some original French Cuirasses. In both cases these had come from UK based Props/costume companies, and you could see multiple stick on labels from the previous hundred years or so. Never got any pics at the time as it was pre phone-camera times, but here's some shots from the BBC production. Dunno who took them, but shared by my old reenactment group to Fb. Btw, I'm the French Sergeant in these shots. Great Days! Attached Images

2nd February 2025, 07:23 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	David! Some FASCINATING background there! and its fascinating that you got to see this stuff firsthand. I keep recalling guys I knew who got some amazing pieces in auctions when they cleared out movie prop and costume warehouses in the 70s. I heard of a dealer who furnished numbers of authentic weapons on loan for "Pirates of the Caribbean" and another who had various Spanish colonial arms and items (even antique ox arts) for period movies.

7th February 2025, 12:10 AM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,120	Once its in the props store it's not an antique anymore, but just an old prop! Valued no more and no less than than any other.... and they hang on to them like mad. It's the same with "frocks" (costume) valued only for its use on stage or in front of the camera. I worked in Leeds costume dept for ten years and saw it first hand.