Vera Cruz

Vera Cruz is a 1954 Western film directed by 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.
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= 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.
=== 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.
== 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.
== 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).
== 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.
= 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.
=== 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.
== Springfield Model 1873 Cavalry Carbine ==
Springfield Model 1873 Cavalry Carbines are used by Maximilian's troops, both cavalry and infantry.
== 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.
== 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.
== Remington Rolling Block Carbine ==
Remington Rolling Block carbines are widely used by Mexican republicans but also are seen in hands of Maximilian's soldiers.
== Remington Rolling Block Rifle ==
Remington Rolling Block rifles are also used by Mexican republicans.
== Unidentified Rifles/Muskets ==
Some percussion cap muskets or rifles of unidentified models are seen in several scenes.
== 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).
= 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.
= 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.
= 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.
Category:Movie
Category:Adventure Movie
Category:Western Movie
Category:Robert Aldrich