Prairie Hunters in Mexico (Präriejäger in Mexiko)

Prairie Hunters in Mexico (Präriejäger in Mexiko) is a 1988 East German two-part made for TV Western ("Red Western") movie directed by Hans Knötzsch and based on several novels (notably "Waldroschen") by Karl May. The story is set in 1865-1867 during the French-Mexican war. Adventurers Black Gérard (Kolio Donchev) and Vulture Beak (Djoko Rosic), teaming with the chief of the Mixtec Indians Bear Eye (Gojko Mitic), help the Mexican leader Benito Juarez to get the transport of weapons and counter plans of Pablo Cortejo who wants to seize the power of President Juarez.
This is the last appearance of Gojko Mitic in DEFA Westerns, started in 1966 in The Sons of Great Bear (but not last his appearance in Western genre).
The movie was mostly filmed in USSR and Bulgaria that affects the choice of screen weapons. Most of screen guns doesn't match the time of French-Mexican war.
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= Revolvers =
== Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian 3rd Model ==
Most revolvers in the movie are Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian Model, 3rd Model (some appear to be of 2nd Model, see below).
Note: see additional images on talk page.
== Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian 2rd Model ==
Some Smith & Wesson Russian Model revolvers seem to have longer barrel, like Russian 2nd Model.
== Smith & Wesson Model 3 ==
Some Smith & Wesson revolver of earlier Model 3 are also seen.
== Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action ==
Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action revolvers (possibly a European produced version) are used by several characters, notably by Vulture Beak (Djoko Rosic). It appears to be a single prop, reused in several scenes.
== Warnant Russian Model ==
Black Gérard's (Kolio Donchev) revolver, used in several scenes, appears to be a Warnant Russian Model revolver.
== Chamelot-Delvigne Model 1873 ==
French Army Col. Lamarel (Giso Weißbach) carries a Chamelot-Delvigne Model 1873 revolver. What appears to be same model is seen in holster of Mexican President Benito Juarez (Helmut Schellhardt).
== Webley Bulldog ==
A compact revolver of Webley Bulldog family is used by Josefa Cortejo (Anna Maria Petrova), the daughter of Pablo Cortejo. The revolver has folding trigger and while, possibly pearl grips.
= Rifles =
== Martini Action Schuetzen Rifle ==
In several scenes Black Gérard (Kolio Donchev), Bear Eye (Gojko Mitic) and some Indians, Mexican bandits and Juarez' men are armed with single shot Martini action Schuetzen rifles, popular German target and hunting guns.
Note: see additional images on talk page.
== Remington Rolling Block ==
Remington Rolling Block rifles are used by adventurer Jimmy Porter (Joachim Siebenschuh), an aged settler (Vsevolod Safonov) and crewmembers of Lord Lindsay's steamer. It is the least anachronistic firearm in the film, with production narrowly overlapping with the very end of the conflict.
== Krnka M1869 ==
In one scene Mexicans of Juarez' army use rifles that appear to be Krnka M1869. These antique rifles were used in Bulgaria as late as 1915, and some survived in film studio arsenals even in 1980s. A rifle that also is supposed to be Krnka is used by a crewmember on Lord Lindsay's steamer.
== Chassepot M1866 ==
In several scenes Mexican and French soldiers carry rifles that appear to be Chassepot 1866 (Gras Model 1874 is also possible guess but some detailes allow to tend to Chassepot). Chassepot rifles were also used in Bulgaria, though not for such long time as Krnka. If it is indeed a Chassepot, it would actually be temporarily plausible for the final part of the conflict.
== Mauser Gewehr 1871 ==
Mauser Gewehr 1871 rifles are also seen in the movie. Jaeger short rifles are used by Little André (Andreas Schmidt-Schaller) and Bear Eye (Gojko Mitic) while full-length rifles are seen in hands of Little André, inn owner Pirnero (Hans Knötzsch) and his daughter Residella (Ulrike Mai).
== Unidentified rifles ==
One of Cortejo's henchmen is armed with a carbine that resembles short Mauser rifle, fitted with a brass top barrel band in style of 18th - early 19th century muskets.
In one scene a French soldier carries a rifle, fitted with bayonet that looks very similar to Russian models, issued for Krnka and Berdan rifles.
When crewmembers of Lord Lindsay's steamer fire at Cortejo's henchmen, an unidentified rifle is seen.
= See Also =
* Treasure of the Aztecs (Der Schatz der Azteken) and Pyramid of the Sun God (Die Pyramide des Sonnengottes), 1965 dilogy also based on the novel "Waldroschen"
Category:Movie
Category:Western Movie
Category:German Produced/Filmed