Use of Actual Vintage Arms as Props in Early Films

Jim McDougall · 11th July 2025, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kino

Chief Scar revealed his collection of scalps, strung along the shaft of a Moro Budiak.

Great entry Kino!
There was no telling what exotic items were in those prop houses!
In the early days of Hollywood stars like Fairbanks took overseas junkets to acquire antiques used in sets, plus of course, studio expense vacations. This stuff was lying about everywhere, without all the antique hype, so you can imagine what there was and the paltry costs.

Richard G · 3rd August 2025, 01:23 PM

Bernard Breslaw as 'Bungit Din' in 'Carry On up the Khyber'. A British comedy from 1968.
He appears to be brandishing a Greek yataghan.

gp · 6th October 2025, 02:36 AM

3 pics of swords of the Rurales / local Mexican law in Marlo Brando's first directed film "one-eyed jack" from 1961,
the man himself with a machete or sword in "viva Zapata" from 1952
and a picture of the real Emiliano Zapata with sword witha link to a nice Mexican army sword:

https://museodelacharreria.org.mx/en...an-army-sword/

additional4 pics from a sword from the same (Pancho Villa) time

gp · 6th October 2025, 02:56 AM

and the other great actor..Paul Newman in " the Silver Chalice " from 1954 and in a knife fight in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid " from 1969

Ed · 11th October 2025, 01:07 PM

Back in the day, the Elites staged a "Triumph" in England. The event was immortalized in a book "The Knight and the Umbrella".

(n.b. youcan read the book here https://archive.org/details/knightumbrellaac0000anst)

The Eglinton Tournament of 1839 was a reenactment of a medieval joust and revel held in North Ayrshire, Scotland between 28 and 30 August. It was funded and organized by Archibald, Earl of Eglinton, and took place at Eglinton Castle in Ayrshire. The Queen of Beauty was Georgiana, Duchess of Somerset. Many distinguished visitors took part, including Prince Louis Napoleon, the future Emperor of the French.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eglinton_Tournament

In any event, the participants were "well connected" and were able to borrow armor and other things from the Royal Armouries.

3rd August 2025, 01:23 PM	#2
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 415	Bernard Breslaw as 'Bungit Din' in 'Carry On up the Khyber'. A British comedy from 1968. He appears to be brandishing a Greek yataghan. Attached Images

6th October 2025, 02:36 AM	#3
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 918	3 pics of swords of the Rurales / local Mexican law in Marlo Brando's first directed film "one-eyed jack" from 1961, the man himself with a machete or sword in "viva Zapata" from 1952 and a picture of the real Emiliano Zapata with sword witha link to a nice Mexican army sword: https://museodelacharreria.org.mx/en...an-army-sword/ additional4 pics from a sword from the same (Pancho Villa) time Attached Images Last edited by gp; 6th October 2025 at 10:57 AM.

6th October 2025, 02:56 AM	#4
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 918	and the other great actor..Paul Newman in " the Silver Chalice " from 1954 and in a knife fight in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid " from 1969 Attached Images

11th October 2025, 01:07 PM	#5
Ed Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 282	Back in the day, the Elites staged a "Triumph" in England. The event was immortalized in a book "The Knight and the Umbrella". (n.b. youcan read the book here https://archive.org/details/knightumbrellaac0000anst) The Eglinton Tournament of 1839 was a reenactment of a medieval joust and revel held in North Ayrshire, Scotland between 28 and 30 August. It was funded and organized by Archibald, Earl of Eglinton, and took place at Eglinton Castle in Ayrshire. The Queen of Beauty was Georgiana, Duchess of Somerset. Many distinguished visitors took part, including Prince Louis Napoleon, the future Emperor of the French. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eglinton_Tournament In any event, the participants were "well connected" and were able to borrow armor and other things from the Royal Armouries.