What type of hand gun did john Wayne carry?

Answer 1

Actually there is information on this very question in a recent American Rifleman article. The grips were made of Calalin, I believe it is Bakelite. The article says that Wayne liked them so much he actually tea stained them himself to replicate old ivory. Although he did use other Colts from Stembridge, the supplier of movie firearms, and at least one had those type of grips, in most movies he used his own Colt with the Catalin yellow grips. He also had finger grooves in the left grip. The interesting thing about the gun is that it was a combination of several Colts. Originally a Bisley, it had been altered by adding a regular SAA grip and the triggerguard had been enlarged, probably to better fit the Duke's large finger and make it easier to twirl. And actually it is not a .45 as thought, but a .44-40. He gifted this gun and his holster and belt to an employee and it is now in a private collection. It really is an interesting look when you see a good picture of it. I would like to build one to go with my own Duke gun rig. I suspect the Duke's own Colt would be worth 6 figures.

Answer 2

In his famous westerns, beginning with 'Stagecoach', I believe he is usually seen with either a Winchester model 1892 or 1894 lever action. If you're talking about War Movies, then I seem to recall the M1 Garand and M16.

Answer 3

In Westerns, a single-action ( gun has to be cocked manually for each shot) .45 Colt Army Revolver. In war films he would tote and use the .45-llAl l9ll model automatic pistol. owing to the automatic action, these weapons will not chamber the revolver rounds, but both guns are the same caliber. The Army used so-called Half Moon or Lunette Clips to permit firing automatic ammo in the older service ( Army .45) revolvers in world war I where the two types co-existed in field and trench.

Answer 4

A Smith and Wesson. John Wayne used a variety of guns in his movie roles. Everything from a derringer (named "Betsy") in Big Jake to a MAC-10 in McQ.

Answer 5

The Duke made a LOT of films, and it varied. Mostly I remember him using an 1873, but there were also '94s.

Answer 6

Many of the guns you see in Wayne's movies were from his own private collection which I understand was extensive and can now be viewed at the John Wayne Museum in Sacramento.

Answer 7

AK 47