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Saving Private Ryan: Difference between revisions

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'''The following weapons were used in the movie ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]'''''
{{Infobox Movie|{{PAGENAME}}
[[Image:Saving Private Ryan poster.jpg|right|thumb|225px|''[[Saving Private Ryan]]'' (1998)]]
|name = Saving Private Ryan
|picture = Saving Private Ryan poster.jpg
|caption = Film Poster
|country = [[Image:USA.jpg|25px]] United States
|director = [[Steven Spielberg]]
|date = 1998
|language = English
|studio = Amblin Entertainment<br>Mutual Film Company
|distributor = DreamWorks Pictures (United States)<br>Paramount Pictures (International)
|character1=Captain John H. Miller
|actor1=[[Tom Hanks]]
|character2=Private James Ryan
|actor2=[[Matt Damon]]
|character3=Sergeant Mike Horvath
|actor3=[[Tom Sizemore]]
|character4=Private First Class Richard Reiben
|actor4=[[Edward Burns]]
|character5=Private Daniel Jackson
|actor5=[[Barry Pepper]]
|character6=Private Stanley Mellish
|actor6=[[Adam Goldberg]]
|character7=Private Adrian Caparzo
|actor7=[[Vin Diesel]]
|character8=Medic Irwin Wade
|actor8=[[Giovanni Ribisi]]
|character9=Sergeant Hill
|actor9=[[Paul Giamatti]]
|character10=Lieutenant Colonel Walter Anderson
|actor10=[[Dennis Farina]]
|character11=Captain Fred Hamill
|actor11=[[Ted Danson]]
}}
'''''Saving Private Ryan''''' is a 1998 World War II film directed by [[Steven Spielberg]] that stars [[Tom Hanks]] as a US Army Ranger captain who leads a squad of men into Normandy to bring home a paratrooper from the 101st Airborne Division who had just lost his three brothers in combat. The film was especially notable for its unflinching depiction of the D-Day landing on Omaha Beach.


== M1 Garand ==
{{Film Title}}


Perhaps the most commonly seen weapon in the movie, the [[M1 Garand]] is used by the majority of the U.S. soldiers seen in the film, notably Sergeant Hill ([[Paul Giamatti]]). The M1 Garand is easily identified by the characteristic ''ping'' it makes ejecting its clip after the last round in the en bloc clip is fired.
__TOC__<br clear=all>


[[Image:M1 Garand.jpg|thumb|left|400px|M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06]]
'''See the [[Talk:Saving Private Ryan|Discussion]] for more details on non-firearms weapons used in the film.'''
[[Image:SPR-Garand.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Sergeant Hill ([[Paul Giamatti]]) holding his [[M1 Garand]].]]


== M1A1 Thompson ==
{{Spoiler}}


The fast gun appears several times in the film, primarily as the main weapon of Captain John H. Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]). It is also used by Captain Fred Hamill ([[Ted Danson]]) to end a standoff between Miller's men and a group of German soldiers they had stumbled upon. The M1 Thompson was too expensive to produce by the Normandy invasion and the cheaper M1A1, which simply attached the firing pin to the bolt, made it far easier for mass production as well as cheap too. They were far more commonly issued with 30 round magazines, which is evident on Miller's Thompson.
=Rifles & Carbines=
==M1 Garand==
The [[M1 Garand]] is the standard issue rifle used by the majority of U.S. soldiers in the film, most notably being the primary weapon of U.S. Army Rangers Private Stanley Mellish ([[Adam Goldberg]]), Private Adrian Caparzo ([[Vin Diesel]]), 29th Infantry Division Technical Fifth Grade Corporal Upham ([[Jeremy Davies]]) and briefly carried by Private Daniel Jackson ([[Barry Pepper]]) and Technical Fourth Grade Medic Irwin Wade ([[Giovanni Ribisi]]). U.S. Army 101st Airborne Paratroopers including Sergeant Hill ([[Paul Giamatti]]), Private James Frederick Ryan ([[Nathan Fillion]]) and Private James Ryan ([[Matt Damon]]) carry M1 Garands as their main rifle. ''Saving Private Ryan'' is also one of few films that correctly depicts the easily identifiable "ping" sound the Garand makes after the last round is fired and the en bloc clip is ejected. In some scenes, soldiers can be seen holding their Garands with relative ease, making these Garands most likely lightweight prop models.


[[Image:M1sb.jpg|thumb|left|325px|[[M1 Thompson|M1A1 Thompson]] .45 ACP as used by the U.S. military in World War 2]]
[[Image:M1 Garand.jpg|thumb|none|450px|M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06]]
[[Image:SPR-Thompson.jpg|thumb|left|325px|Captain Fred Hamill ([[Ted Danson]], left) and one of his men holding freshly fired [[M1 Thompson]]s.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand.jpg|thumb|none|500px|An M1 Garand prop rifle with M1 bayonet used in the film during the D-Day scene. The stock still has sand stuck in it from the beach.]]
[[Image:Saving private ryan il faut sauver soldat ryan tom hanks.jpg|thumb|none|300px|[[Tom Hanks]] holding an [[M1 Thompson]] as Captain John H. Miller in ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]''.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A U.S. soldier carrying an M1 Garand rather easily with his right hand during the landing on Omaha Beach. In reality, the Garand weighed 9 1/2 lbs and the rifle seen in the screenshot is likely a lightweight replica.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Private Stanley Mellish ([[Adam Goldberg]]) fires his M1 Garand at a German bunker.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand-4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|*PING!* - Private Adrian Caparzo ([[Vin Diesel]]) fires his M1 Garand. The ejected empty en bloc clip can be seen in this shot.]]
[[Image:SPR 303.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Mellish and Caparzo approach a German bunker on Omaha Beach with their M1 Garands.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand-5.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Mellish fires his M1 Garand at a fleeing German soldier.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand-6.jpg|thumb|none|600px|''"Look! I washed for supper!"'' - A U.S. soldier of low morals holds an M1 Garand with cuts in the stock for an ammo pouch to sling through like an M1 Carbine. This is a strange stock for a Garand. Also note how he can easily hold it with one hand since it is lighter than a real Garand.]]
[[Image:SPR 305.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Caparzo, Mellish and Corporal Timothy Upham ([[Jeremy Davies]]) with their M1 Garands.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand-12.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Sergeant Hill ([[Paul Giamatti]]) holding his M1 Garand.]]
[[File:SPR 791.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Behind Reiben, Wade ([[Giovanni Ribisi]]) briefly holds an M1 Garand before passing it to a Paratrooper.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand-7.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Captain John H. Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]) pulls the trigger groupings out of M1 Garands marking dead G.I. graves so they are rendered useless should any Germans try to capture them.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand-8.jpg|thumb|none|600px|U.S. paratrooper Trask loads up his M1 Garand before the battle in Ramelle. Note how he has to slap his bolt shut, while the bolt is supposed to snap forwards automatically after the clip is loaded, bad field conditions can cause the mechanism to fail, in which case slapping the operating handle will shut it easily and safely.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand-10.jpg|thumb|none|600px|*PING!* - Private James Ryan ([[Matt Damon]]) firing his M1 Garand.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand-9.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Mellish fires his M1 Garand and then claims it jams, despite the fact it is clearly still in battery.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Garand-11.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Cpl. Upham ([[Jeremy Davies]]) points his M1 Garand at a group of fleeing German soldiers including Steamboat Willie.]]
[[Image:SPR 311.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Cpl. Upham with his M1 Garand.]]


== M1 Carbine ==
==M1 Carbine==
The [[M1 Carbine]] appears as the main weapon of Technical Sergeant Mike Horvath ([[Tom Sizemore]]), which is fitted with a double magazine pouch strapped to the buttstock. At least one Paratrooper of the 101st Airborne under Sergeant Hill’s command carries a M1 Carbine in Neuville. Lieutenant Briggs appears to have a M1 Carbine shot up at Omaha Beach.
[[Image:M1-Carbine.jpg|thumb|none|450px|M1 Carbine - .30 Carbine]]
[[Image:SPRM1Carbine-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|''"Gather weapons and ammo!"'' - TSgt. Mike Horvath ([[Tom Sizemore]]) with his M1 Carbine on Omaha Beach, Dog Green Sector.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Carbine-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|TSgt. Horvath firing his M1 Carbine.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Carbine-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Horvath with his M1 Carbine as Dog One is opened.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Carbine-4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Horvath racks the bolt on his M1 Carbine before facing the German machine gun nest.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Carbine-5.jpg|thumb|none|600px|TSgt. Horvath with his M1 Carbine.]]
[[Image:SPR-M1CarbinePara.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A U.S. paratrooper taking cover behind a wall with his M1 Carbine during the sniper ambush. Note that it would be more accurate for this paratrooper to be seen with an M1A1 Carbine, a variant of the M1 Carbine that features a folding stock and is commonly issued to paratroopers, however in the case of the operation in France, many Paratroopers lost their gear during and after the jump and tended to scavenge or trade with different military units for weapons available to them.]]


The [[M1 Carbine]] appears in the film as the main weapon of Technical Sergeant Mike Horvath ([[Tom Sizemore]]). It was fitted with one double magazine pouch strapped to the butt stock. Several other soldiers can be seen with M1A1 Carbines (They're like regular versions of the carbine except with paratrooper style folding metal stocks)during the scene when Captain Miller ([[ Tom Hanks]]) meets with Captain Hill.
==M1A1 Carbine==
Several paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division, including Private Goldman ([[Raffaello Degruttola]]), a paratrooper runner, Michaelson ([[Ryan Hurst]]) and Private First Class Toynbe ([[Dylan Bruno]]) carry the folding stock variant [[M1A1 Carbine]].
[[Image:M1A1Carbine.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Paratrooper M1A1 Carbine - .30 Carbine]]
[[Image:SPRM1A1Carbine-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|On the right, Private Goldman ([[Raffaello Degruttola]]) with his M1A1 Carbine.]]
[[Image:SPRM1A1Carbine-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A paratrooper kills a German tank crewman with his M1A1 Carbine and then holds the hatch open with it. (Close inspection reveals the hatch appears to be made of lightweight material and easy to move)]]


[[Image:M1-Carbine.jpg|thumb|left|400px|[[M1 Carbine]] .30 Carbine]]
==M1903A4 Springfield==
[[Image:SPR-M1-Carbine.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Technical Sergeant Mike Horvath ([[Tom Sizemore]]) with his [[M1 Carbine]] on Omaha Beach, Dog Green Sector.]]
The squad's sharpshooter, Private Daniel Jackson ([[Barry Pepper]]), carries the sniper variant of the M1903 Springfield, the [[M1903_Springfield#M1903A4_Springfield|M1903A4 Sniper Rifle]]. The differences include the deletion of the front sight, and the addition of a Weaver 330C scope. As a left-handed shooter, Jackson clearly has trouble cycling the gun throughout the film due to the gun being built for right-handed shooters.


== M1911A1 ==
Jackson switches between two sniper scopes throughout the film, a Lyman Alaskan scope and a Unertl scope. Neither of them is the M1903A4's actual Weaver 330C scope, and both are unlikely sights on the WWII European theater: for the Lyman Alaskan, while it was considered for the standard scope for the M1903A4, Lyman's insufficient production led to the Weaver scope being adopted instead. For the Unertl, it was made and issued exclusively to the US Marine Corps, and it had a very different mounting system compared to the Lyman and the Weaver.


There are several appearances of the [[1911#M1911A1|M1911A1]] pistol, in the hands of Horvath ([[Tom Sizemore]]) and Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]). Horvath uses it to threaten PFC Richard Reiben ([[Edward Burns]]) when he threatens to abandon his squad. Miller is seen firing it at an advancing Tiger tank as he lies wounded on the bridge in one of the film's more memorable moments.
There is also a notable scene where Jackson shoots a German sniper through that sniper's own scope, a feat similar to one accomplished by Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock during the Vietnam War. However, in this film, the bullet drop at 400yds would make it impossible to clear all the scope lenses, while Hathcock was far closer to his target, as well as looking down at said target (Hathcock was on a hill, while the enemy sniper was at the base).


[[Image:Springfield Armory M1911A1.jpg|thumb|left|300px|M1911A1 .45 ACP]]
[[File:M1903A4Weaver.jpeg|thumb|none|450px|M1903A4 Springfield with Model 330 Weaver scope - .30-06]]
[[Image:SPR-1911.jpg|thumb|400px|none|Horvath ([[Tom Sizemore]]) threatening to shoot PFC Richard Reiben ([[Edward Burns]]) with his [[1911|M1911A1]].]]
[[Image:SPR1903A4.jpg|thumb|none|600px| ''-Be not Thou far from me, O Lord.'' <br> Pvt. Daniel Jackson ([[Barry Pepper]]) aims his M1903A4 Springfield on Omaha Beach, here fitted with the Lyman Alaskan. He quotes the Bible (Psalms 22:19) before firing his weapon, a habit that he repeats throughout the film.]]
[[Image:SPR1903A4-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Pvt. Jackson fires his M1903A4.]]
[[Image:SPR1903A4-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|At Neuville, Jackson replaces the Lyman Alaskan scope with an 8x Unertl scope on his M1903A4 to face the German sniper. Here, he is seen adjusting the scope's front objective, which adjusts the scope's parallax, even though he claims it is for windage. Also, his hand is the only thing moving, the front of the scope never twists.]]
[[Image:SPR1903A4-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px| ''-O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me.'' <br> Jackson takes aim at the German sniper with his M1903A4.]]
[[Image:SPR1903A4-4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Jackson with his M1903A4 during the standoff. Note that he's using the Lyman Alaskan scope.]]
[[Image:SPR1903A4-5.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Cpl. Upham looks through Jackson's Lyman Alaskan scope. Despite which way he turns it, the reticle is always shown perfectly centered.]]
[[Image:SPR-sniperFPS.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An angle view of the M1903A4 Springfield as Jackson covers the Paratroopers over the Tiger Tank. Here the rifle is equipped with the Unertl scope again; note that the Unertl scope has apparently been customized to fit the M1903A4 mount, a very different mount from the actual Unertl scope mount on USMC M1903A1 Springfields.]]
[[Image:SPR1903a4-6.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Jackson ejects a shell (which is clearly a blank) from his M1903A4.]]
[[Image:SPR1903A4-7.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Jackson holds his M1903A4 Springfield after firing more than 5 rounds without reloading. Note how the free-bolt safety is clearly on in this shot.]]


== M1 Bazooka ==
===Faulty Scope===
During the bell tower sequence, Jackson's Unertl scope appears to be very off from where the bullets hit, as a result of the effects simulating the bullet impacts not being aligned in any way with the camera filming the action.
[[Image:SPRfaltyscope-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Jackson clearly led his target but the gun still shot too far left and likely hit this soldier by luck.]]
[[Image:SPRfaltyscope-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|This shot went ''way'' left and ''way'' low.]]
[[Image:SPRfaltyscope-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|This shot went ''way'' right and ''way'' low.]]


The [[M1 Bazooka]] rocket launcher makes several appearances in ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]''. It is first seen in the hands of a U.S. Army soldier under the command of Captain Hamill. Later we see Private James F. Ryan ([[Matt Damon]]) use an M1 Bazooka to destroy a German half-track. This same Bazooka is later used by Horvath during the final battle to destroy a German Marder self-propelled gun and again in an attempt to destroy a Tiger tank, but unfortunately for our protagonists the rocket is deflected by the tanks' heavy armor.
==Karabiner 98k==
As common with the German forces as the M1 Garand is with the Americans, the [[Karabiner 98k]] bolt-action rifle is the standard-issue weapon of the German military. SS Grenadiers during the battle in Ramelle line up armed almost entirely with Kar98k rifles, including 'Steamboat Willie' (Joerg Stadler), who mortally wounds Cpt. Miller with his 98k rifle. Also note how most of the rifles lack the hooded sights and cleaning rods which usually indicates Russian captures.
[[Image:Karabiner-98K.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
[[Image:SPRKar98K-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Heer soldiers armed with Kar98k rifles and MP40 submachine guns during the standoff.]]
[[Image:SPRKAr98K-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|SS Grenadiers run to the bridge in Ramelle armed with Kar98k rifles. The device behind the soldier in the foreground is a 60cm SW-36 searchlight on an Sd.Ah.51 trailer.]]
[[Image:SPRKAr98k-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|'Steamboat Willie' (Joerg Stadler) fires his Karabiner 98k.]]
[[Image:SPR 310.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Steamboat Willie's Kar98k recoils after he shoots a paratrooper.]]
[[Image:SPR 308.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Steamboat Willie chambers his Kar98k. You can see the bullet in the chamber and the ejected brass flying in front of his fellow soldier's face.]]


[[Image:Bazookasmithsonian.jpg|thumb|none|350px|M1 Bazooka 60mm with rockets]]
==Karabiner 98k Sniper Rifle==
[[Image:SPR-M1-Bazooka.jpg|thumb|400px|none|Private James F. Ryan ([[Matt Damon]]) with his [[M1 Bazooka]] after destroying a German half-track.]]
A Heer sniper is armed with a [[Karabiner 98k]] sniper rifle fitted with a Zeiss ZF42 scope with a rubber light blocking eye cover (which despite goof reports, ''is'' at proper eye relief with him resting his eye on it) and covered in makeshift burlap camouflage. He mortally wounds PFC Adrian Caparzo ([[Vin Diesel]]) before being killed himself by Private Daniel Jackson ([[Barry Pepper]]). Jackson shoots this German sniper through his scope, a reference to a shot made by legendary Marine Corps sniper [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Hathcock Carlos Norman Hathcock II] during the Vietnam War.
[[Image:tur3.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Karabiner 98k sniper rifle with Zeiss ZF42 scope - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
[[Image:SPRKar98Ksniper.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Heer sniper aims his Karabiner 98k sniper rifle.]]


== M1903A4 Springfield ==
=Submachine Guns=
==M1A1 Thompson==
The [[M1A1 Thompson]] aka the "Tommy Gun" or "fast gun" is carried by Captain John H. Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]). The Thompson is also used by other soldiers as well as Paratroopers, notably Pathfinder Captain Fred Hamill ([[Ted Danson]]) to end a standoff between Miller's squad and a group of German soldiers they had stumbled upon. Corporal Fred Henderson ([[Max Martini]]) and some Paratroopers under his command also carry the Thompson submachine gun in Ramelle.
[[Image:M1sb.jpg|thumb|none|400px|M1A1 Thompson - .45 ACP]]
[[Image:SPRM1A1Thompson-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Capt. John H. Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]) removes his M1A1 Thompson from its clear protective bag. The clear material is PLIOFILM, an early plastic wrap that was more temperature resistant than other plastic wraps but fully ceased production after WWII, as it involved harmful chemicals that caused health issues for factory workers.]]
[[Image:SPR 302.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Cpt. Miller covering a German machine gun bunker with his Thompson.]]
[[Image:SPRM1A1Thompson-7.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Captain Fred Hamill ([[Ted Danson]]), on the left, and one of his men holding freshly fired M1A1 Thompsons.]]
[[Image:SPRM1A1Thompson-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Miller reloads his Thompson before the battle in Ramelle, despite having been clearly seen reloading it the scene before when facing the half-track. This could be due to nervous habit.]]
[[Image:SPRM1A1Thompson-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Capt. Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]) with his Thompson at the ready.]]
[[Image:SPRM1A1Thompson-4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Miller fires his Thompson through the driver's viewport of a "Tiger" tank.]]
[[Image:SPRM1A1Thompson-5.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Capt. Miller firing his Thompson.]]
[[Image:SPRM1A1Thompson-6.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Cpl. Fred Henderson ([[Max Martini]]) fires his Thompson at a German through the wall. Note the holes are perpendicular to the wall but Henderson is at an angle.]]


The squad's sharpshooter, Private Daniel Jackson ([[Barry Pepper]]), carries the sniper version of the [[M1903 Springfield]] bolt-action rifle. The differences include the deletion of the front sight, and the addition of a scope. Jackson is famous for quoting religious scriptures when shooting the rifle, and shooting a German sniper through his own scope similar to a feat accomplished by Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock in the Vietnam War.
==MP40==
The [[MP40]] is also used by German forces, notably in the scene where Miller's squad stumbles upon a group of German soldiers, as well as during the defense of the bridge at Ramelle.
[[Image:MP40.jpg|thumb|none|400px|MP40 - 9x19mm]]
[[Image:SPRMP-40-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A German beach defender fires his MP40 on Omaha Beach, hiding behind an MG42 nest.]]
[[Image:SPRKar98K-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Heer soldier armed with an MP40 during the standoff.]]
[[Image:SPRMP-40-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An SS Grenadier armed with a RPzB 54 has an MP40 slung over his back.]]
[[Image:SPRMP-40-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An SS Grenadier blind-fires his MP40 in the room before being taken down by Pvt. Mellish.]]
[[Image:SPRMP-40-4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An SS Grenadier armed with an MP40 leads a charge during the battle of Ramelle while Cpl. Upham hides nearby.]]
[[Image:SPRMP-40-5.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An SS Grenadier armed with an MP40 charges a paratrooper but gets a rifle butt to the face before he can use it.]]


[[Image:Rifle Springfield M1903A4 with M84 sight.jpg|thumb|left|400px|[[M1903 Springfield|M1903A4 Springfield]] sniper variant .30-06 with M84 scope]]
=Machine Guns & Automatic Rifles=
[[Image:SPR-M1903.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Private Daniel Jackson ([[Barry Pepper]]) aims his [[M1903 Springfield]].]]
==M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle==
As the squad's support gunner, Private First Class Richard Reiben ([[Edward Burns]]) carries an [[Browning Automatic Rifle|M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle]] or "B.A.R." as his main weapon. The B.A.R. Reiben carries is not his originally issued one, which he claims he lost during the start of the D-Day landing to keep from drowning, and has the bipod removed, making it more into an assault rifle instead of a light machine gun. Further supporting this theory is how he fires it on the faster of the B.A.R.'s two full-auto fire modes, instead of the more efficient slow auto-fire used for support. Reports have said that, like the M1 Garands in the film, this B.A.R. was lightened for easier use by the actors, making it far easier to shoulder fire the weapon as an assault rifle.
[[Image:BAR.jpg|thumb|450px|none|M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06]]
[[Image:SPRBAR-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Private First Class Richard Reiben sets the bullets in his magazine by tapping it on his helmet and then loads it into his B.A.R.]]
[[Image:SPRBAR-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|PFC. Reiben gives supporting fire on an MG42 nest with his Browning Automatic Rifle.]]
[[Image:SPR-BARholding.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Reiben ([[Edward Burns]]) with his B.A.R. while talking to his squadmates.]]
[[Image:SPRBAR-4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Reiben with his B.A.R. during the standoff.]]
[[File:SPR 791.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Reiben with his B.A.R. while in the town.]]
[[Image:SPRBAR-7.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Reiben racks the charging handle on his B.A.R. before being driven out as bait for the company of mechanized SS.]]
[[Image:SPRBAR-8.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Reiben with his B.A.R. at the ready.]]
[[Image:SPRBAR-9.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Reiben hip fires his B.A.R. on rapid auto-firing mode. It's amazing he can see what he's shooting at with his helmet so low on his face.]]
[[Image:SPRBAR-10.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A shell-shocked Capt. Miller watches Reiben fires his B.A.R.]]


== Browning Automatic Rifle ==
==Browning M1919A4==
The [[Browning M1919A4]] or "Browning .30 caliber" machine gun is briefly seen being lugged by a U.S. soldier during the Omaha Beach scene. This machine gun is also among the weapons used by the defenders during the final battle at Ramelle. With only two machine guns available at Ramelle, one M1919A4 is manned by Airborne paratrooper Pvt. Parker (Demetri Goritsas) in the bell tower with Private Jackson and the other is manned by Corporal Fred Henderson ([[Max Martini]]) with Private Stanley Mellish ([[Adam Goldberg]]) as his assistant feeding and reloading. Both guns eventually run out of ammunition, their users being killed. The gun in the tower has a disintegrating belt and Mellish's gun has a fabric belt.
[[Image:M1919A4Browning.jpg|thumb|none|450px|Browning M1919A4 on M2 tripod - .30-06]]
[[Image:SPRM2M1919A4-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A U.S. soldier is seen lugging a Browning M1919A4 machine gun during the assault on Omaha Beach.]]
[[Image:SPRM2M1919A4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Cpl. Fred Henderson ([[Max Martini]]) and Pvt. Stanley Mellish ([[Adam Goldberg]]) load their Browning M1919A4 in preparation for battle. Note how it is loaded with a fabric ammo belt.]]
[[Image:SPRM2M1919A4-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Henderson firing his Browning M1919A4, the fabric belt is seen.]]
[[Image:SPRM2M1919A4-4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Henderson firing his Browning M1919A4 with Mellish feeding him.]]
[[Image:SPRM2M1919A4-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Pvt. Parker (Demetri Goritsas) firing his Browning M1919A4 from a bell tower. This machine gun is loaded with a disintegrating link belt.]]
[[Image:SPR 391.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Close-up of the disintegrating ammo belt. Note that the belt is loaded with blank crimp-nosed rounds.]]
[[Image:SPR 392.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Parker moves his M1919A4. Despite Parker saying he's out of .30 caliber, the ammo belt is still loaded on the left.]]


As the squad's BAR gunner, PFC Richard Reiben ([[Edward Burns]]) carries a [[Browning Automatic Rifle]] as his main weapon. The BAR Reiben carries is not his original one, which he claims he lost during the start of the D-Day landing to keep from drowning, and has the bipod removed.
==MG42==
Known by the Allies as "Hitler's Buzzsaw", the German [[MG42]] was perhaps the deadliest machine gun of World War II. Its extreme high rate of fire is accurately portrayed in the film. Its most notable appearance is during the Omaha Beach sequence, being fired from large pillboxes and sandbag positions overlooking the beach. Two pillboxes housing the MG42s are called 'Schnabelstand' and they were only used for observation and target spotting, not MG emplacement. However, there were none of these bunkers on the real Omaha Beach. The MG42 is later seen mounted on a lafette tripod, when Miller's squad encounter a German machine gun nest.
[[Image:MG42.jpg|thumb|none|450px|MG42 - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
[[Image:SPRMG42.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A German beach defender firing the MG42 from his nest during the D-Day scene.]]
[[Image:SPRMG42-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An MG42, mounted on a lafette tripod, still smoking from the recent firefight.]]


[[Image:BAR.jpg|thumb|350px|left|M1918A2 [[Browning Automatic Rifle]] .30-06]]
==MG34 Panzerlauf==
[[Image:SPR-BAR.jpg|thumb|400px|none|PFC Richard Reiben ([[Edward Burns]]) carrying his [[Browning Automatic Rifle|BAR.]]]]
During the final battle, SS Tiger tanks (in reality mocked-up T34s) can be seen armed with [[MG34|MG34 Panzerlauf]] machine guns, mounted coaxially next to the main gun and in the bow of the hull next to the driver's compartment.
[[Image:Mg34hb.jpg|thumb|none|450px|MG34 Panzerlauf with stock fitted - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
[[Image:MG34-SPr.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An MG34 (circled in red) bow-mounted on a "Tiger" tank (actually a visually modified T34).]]


== Browning M1919 ==
=Pistols=
==Colt M1911A1==
The [[Colt M1911A1]] pistol is seen in the hands of TSgt. Horvath ([[Tom Sizemore]]), Pvt. Jackson ([[Barry Pepper]]), and Capt. Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]). Horvath uses it to threaten PFC Richard Reiben ([[Edward Burns]]) when he wants to abandon his squad, later throws it during a melee scuffle in the final battle. Captain Miller is seen firing it at one of "Tiger" tanks as he sits wounded on the bridge in one of the film's most memorable moments.
[[Image:M1911Colt.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP]]
[[Image:Colt M1911 Flash.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A large muzzle flash is emitted from Jackson's Colt M1911A1.]]
[[Image:SPRM1911A1-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Pvt. Daniel Jackson ([[Barry Pepper]]) fires his M1911A1 into a German filled trench.]]
[[Image:SPRM1911A1-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Pvt. Jackson draws his M1911A1 when his squad first confronts Steamboat Willie (Joerg Stadler) and checks the magazine, which is clearly empty.]]
[[Image:SPRM1911A1-3.jpg|thumb|600px|none|Mike Horvath ([[Tom Sizemore]]) threatening to shoot PFC Richard Reiben ([[Edward Burns]]) with his M1911A1.]]
[[Image:SPRM1911A1-4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A wounded Capt. Miller fires his M1911A1 at an advancing "Tiger" tank. Note how his pistol is clearly out of battery, but in perfect working order in the next shot.]]
[[Image:SPRMiller1911A1.JPG|thumb|none|600px|Miller fires his M1911A1 at the advancing tank.]]
[[Image:SPRM1911A1-5.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Miller in amazement after seeing the tank blow up after shooting it with his M1911A1 (which was actually blown up by a P-51 Mustang). In this sequence, the pistol was only loaded with six rounds instead of the fully-loaded seven which is not unusual since soldiers don't always 'top off' their magazines in the middle of a war zone after firing one or more rounds previously. It is also likely that since there are too many camera angle shots of Miller firing his pistol, the camera shot for the seventh round may be unused or misplaced.]]


Among the weapons used by the defenders during the final battle are a pair of [[Browning M1919]] machine guns. Both guns eventually run out of ammunition, their users being killed by the Germans.
==Walther P38==
During the final battle in Ramelle, an SS Panzergrenadier can be seen using a [[Walther P38]] when confronting TSgt. Horvath and is killed but still manages to wound him with it.
[[File:P38Black.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Walther P38 - World War II dated with black grips - 9x19mm]]
[[Image:SPRLugerP08.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An SS Panzergrenadier fires his Walther P38 at Horvath.]]


[[Image:M1919A4Browning.jpg|thumb|left|400px|[[Browning M1919]] .30-06 on M2 tripod]]
=Launchers=
[[Image:SPR-Browning.jpg|thumb|400px|none|Corporal Henderson ([[Maximilian Martini]]) and Pvt. Stanley Mellish ([[Adam Goldberg]]) load their [[Browning M1919]] in preparation for the final battle.]]
==M1A1 Bazooka==
The [[M1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka"#M1A1 "Bazooka" (2.36" Rocket)|M1A1 Bazooka]] is used in some scenes. It is first seen in the hands of a U.S. soldier under the command of Captain Fred Hamill ([[Ted Danson]]). Later we see Private James F. Ryan ([[Matt Damon]]) using an M1A1 Bazooka to destroy a German half-track. In preparation for the battle of Ramelle, the inventory shows two Bazookas available, one of them bring the same one carried by Ryan and later used by TSgt. Horvath ([[Tom Sizemore]]) during the final battle to destroy a Marder III self-propelled gun. The second Bazooka was briefly picked up by Captain Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]) before being commandeered by Horvath in an attempt to destroy a "Tiger" tank, but the rocket is deflected off the tank's heavy armor.
[[Image:M1A1 Bazooka.jpg|thumb|none|450px|M1A1 Bazooka - 2.36 inch]]
[[Image:SPRM1Bazooka.jpg|thumb|600px|none|Private James F. Ryan ([[Matt Damon]]) with the M1A1 Bazooka after destroying a German half-track.]]
[[Image:SPRM1bazooka-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|TSgt. Horvath prepares to fire the M1A1 Bazooka at a Marder III.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Bazooka-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Capt. Miller attempts to use an M1A1 Bazooka before Horvath takes it.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Bazooka-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Horvath fires a shot at the Tiger tank, but it deflects off due to the combination of the rocket hitting the tank at a bad angle and the tank's heavy armor.]]


== Mk 2 Hand Grenade ==
==Raketenpanzerbüchse 54==
During the final battle, one of SS Grenadiers can be seen carrying a Raketenpanzerbüchse (RPzB) 54 rocket launcher, better known as the "[[Panzerschreck]]", and fires at a group of retreating U.S. troops, sending one paratrooper through a glass window. Another Grenadier is also seen with a RPzB but is killed by Pvt. Ryan.
[[Image:Tank h5.jpg|thumb|none|450px|RPzB 54 "Panzerschreck" rocket launcher - 88mm]]
[[Image:SPRPAnzershreck-2.jpg|thumb|600px|none|An SS Grenadier carrying a RPzB 54 during the final battle. Note that the shield has slipped and is crooked.]]
[[Image:SPRPanzershreck.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The same Grenadier aims his RPzB 54. The shield is now back in place.]]
[[Image:SPRPanzershreck-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An SS Grenadier runs out with a RPzB 54 before being pointed out and killed by Pvt. Ryan.]]


During the attack on the machine gun nests, the squad uses [[Mk 2 hand grenade]]s to take out all but one of the Germans manning it, some of which throw the grenades back at them, though thankfully miss. Later, at the final battle in Ramelle, several [[Mk 2 hand grenade]]s are tossed into a disabled German tank, killing the crew.
==M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher with M9A1 Rifle Grenade==
During the Omaha Beach scene, we can briefly see an [[M1 Garand]] mounted [[M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher]] being used to fire an [[M9A1 Rifle Grenade]] after the German line has been broken.
[[Image:M1 garand M7.jpg|thumb|none|350px|M7 rifle grenade launcher]]
[[Image:M9A1 Rifle Grenade.jpg|thumb|none|350px|M9A1 Rifle Grenade]]
[[Image:SPRM7grenade.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An M9A1 grenade about to be fired from the M7 launcher of an M1 Garand. Note that this is likely a lightweight prop, as the stabilizer fin of the grenade has slid up the tail section to be directly behind the warhead.]]
[[Image:SPR 374.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An M9A1 grenade fired from the M7 launcher of an M1 Garand. While the combination of overcharged M3 grenade launcher cartridge and the heavy 19-ounce grenade was unpleasant, direct fire from the shoulder was safely possible.]]


[[Image:MK2 grenade DoD.jpg|thumb|left|125px|Mk 2 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade]]
=Grenades=
[[Image:SPR-Mk2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Several [[Mk 2 hand grenade]]s being tossed into a disabled German tank.]]
==Mk 2 Hand Grenade==
During the attack on the German machine gun nest, Miller's squad uses [[Mk 2 hand grenade]]s to take out all but one of German soldiers throws the grenades back at them, though thankfully miss. Later, during the final battle in Ramelle, several Mk 2 hand grenades are tossed into a disabled German tank, killing the crew.
[[Image:MK2 grenade DoD.jpg|thumb|none|180px|Mk 2 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade]]
[[Image:SPRMk2grenade-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|PFC. Reiben hands Cpl. Medic Irwin Wade a Mk 2 grenade before rushing the machine gun nest.]]
[[Image:SPRMK2grenade-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Mk 2 grenade is seen on this paratrooper's vest.]]
[[Image:SPR 307.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Paratroopers prepare to throw their Mk 2 grenades into the Tiger tank.]]


== M1 Flamethrower ==
==Model 24 Stielhandgranate==
During the final battle, Private Stanley Mellish ([[Adam Goldberg]]) and Corporal Fred Henderson ([[Max Martini]]) get two [[Model 24 Stielhandgranate]]s thrown at them while manning one of M1919A4 machine guns. Thankfully the two are able to grab and toss the grenades clear before they detonate.
[[File:M24handgrenade.JPG|thumb|none|350px|Model 24 Stielhandgranate "Potato Masher" High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade]]
[[Image:SPR24grenate.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Corporal Fred Henderson ([[Max Martini]]) is hit in the chest with a Model 24 Stielhandgranate.]]


During the D-Day landing scene Doyle ([[Glenn Wrage]]) uses his [[M1 Flamethrower]] to clear one of the German bunkers overlooking Omaha Beach, turning the occupants into human torches who are picked off by other soldiers as they emerge.
=Others=
==M1 Flamethrower==
During the Omaha Beach scene, Private First Class Doyle ([[Glenn Wrage]]) uses the [[M1 Flamethrower]] to clear a German bunker overlooking the beach, turning the occupants into human torches. A group of U.S. soldiers are ordered to let them burn. During the opening of the scene, a flamethrower operator gets hit in the napalm tank and gets blown up along with his comrades around him.
[[Image:M1A1 Flamethrower.JPG|thumb|none|400px|M1 Flamethrower]]
[[Image:SPRM1flamethrower.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A U.S. soldier with his M1 Flamethrower, seconds before being lit up by a single 7.92mm round.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Flamethrower-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|PFC. Doyle ([[Glenn Wrage]]) readies his flamethrower to burn the pillbox.]]
[[Image:SPRM1Flamethrower-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Doyle's flamethrower clears out the bunker with a burst of flame. How this burst of flame is so large in unknown. It may be possible that within the confines of the narrow cement hallways in the bunker, it amplifies the blast.]]


[[Image:SPR-M1-Flame.jpg|thumb|355px|left|Doyle ([[Glenn Wrage]]) uses his [[M1 Flame Thrower]] to clear out a German bunker.]]
==M1A1 Bangalore Torpedo==
[[Image:SPR-M1-Flame-2.jpg|thumb|400px|none|A German bunker erupts in flames.]]
Captain John H. Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]) aids some soldiers in employing M1A1 Bangalore Torpedos to clear the barbed wire seawall (which would have actually been made of concrete, wood timbers, and pebbles). This is an homage to Major General Norman "Dutch" Cota who fearlessly encouraged his men to use the Bangalores to clear the seawall.
[[Image:Bangalore-Box-2.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Crate containing M1A1 Bangalore Torpedoes]]
[[Image:SPRBangalore-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|U.S. soldiers bring up M1A1 Bangalore Torpedoes to clear the seawall.]]
[[Image:SPRBangalore-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|U.S. soldiers passing up Bangalores. Note how the side reads "Bangalore M1A1".]]
[[Image:SPRBangalore-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A soldier lights the fuse on the Bangalore while Capt. Miller holds it.]]
[[Image:SPRBangalore-4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|''"FIRE IN THE HOLE!"''. The torpedo is detonated to clear the seawall..]]


== Bangalore Torpedo ==
==2 cm Flak 38==
A [[2cm FlaK 38|2 cm Flak 38]] is used by several SS Grenadiers during the final battle at Ramelle and delivers devastating 20mm Flak rounds on U.S. paratroopers.
[[Image:Flak38single.jpg|thumb|none|450px|2 cm Flak 38 in single mounting - 20x138mmB]]
[[Image:SPRFlak38.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The 2 cm Flak 38 being fired at the paratroopers.]]
[[Image:SPRFlak38-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|20mm shells kick out of the 2 cm Flak 38.]]
[[Image:SPRFlak38-2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The crew turns their 2 cm Flak 38 to Cpt. Miller's position.]]
[[Image:SPRFlak38-3.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The crew begins to reposition the gun before being flanked by Reiben's B.A.R.]]


Captain John H. Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]) employs a [[Bangalore torpedo]] to clear the barbed wire protecting the German bunkers on Omaha Beach.
==M2 Mortar==
During the final battle at Ramelle, Private Ryan ([[Matt Damon]]) and Captain Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]) arm 60mm [[M2 Mortar]] shells by banging them against the steel launching base of the mortar tube and throw them like hand grenades at advancing SS soldiers, scoring several kills. This scene is based on the real life tactics of Medal of Honor winner Charles "Commando" Kelly, who really used 60mm mortar shells as grenades during a firefight in Italy.
[[Image:SPRmortar-1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Pvt. Ryan ([[Matt Damon]]) arms a 60mm M2 Mortar shell by his hand.]]


[[Image:SPR-Bangalore.jpg|thumb|left|395px|[[Bangalore torpedo|Bangalore]]s being carried on Omaha Beach.]]
==15 cm TbtsK C/36 naval gun==
[[Image:SPR-Bangalore-2.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Technical Sergeant Mike Horvath ([[Tom Sizemore]]) lights a [[Bangalore torpedo]].]]
A [[15 cm TbtsK C/36]] is positioned in a German bunker at Omaha Beach.
 
[[File:15cmTbKC36.jpg|thumb|none|400px|15 cm TbtsK C/36 naval gun in a Regelbau M272 casemate at the Longues-sur-Mer battery, France.]]
== M7 Rifle Grenade ==
 
During the opening Omaha Beach landing scene we can briefly see a rifle mounted [[M7 rifle grenade]] fired from an [[M1 Garand]] after the German line has been broken.
[[Image:M1 garand M7.jpg|thumb|left|400px|[[M7 grenade launcher]]]]
[[Image:SPR-M7.jpg|thumb|none|400px|An [[M7 rifle grenade]] about to be fired from an [[M1 Garand]].]]
 
== Karabiner 98k ==
 
As common with the German soldiers as the [[M1 Garand]] is with the Americans, the [[Karabiner 98k]] bolt-action rifle is the standard-issue weapon of the German Army. One is seen fitted with a scope and covered in makeshift camouflage being used by a German sniper who mortally wounds PFC Adrian Caparzo ([[Vin Diesel]]) before being killed himself by Private Jackson ([[Barry Pepper]]). Jackson shoots the German sniper through his scope, a reference to a shot made by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Hathcock Carlos Norman Hathcock II] ''(a legendary Marine Corps Sniper)'' during the Vietnam War.
 
[[Image:Karabiner-98K.jpg|thumb|left|500px|Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm]]
[[Image:SPR-98k.jpg|thumb|none|400px|A German sniper aims his [[Karabiner 98k]].]]
 
== MG42 ==
 
The German [[MG42]] machine gun makes several appearances in the film; first in bunkers overlooking Omaha Beach during the D-Day landings, then in a machine gun nest at the base of a radar site the squad encounters. The ensuing firefight at the radar site costs them their medic, Irwin Wade ([[Giovanni Ribisi]]).
 
[[Image:MG42.jpg|thumb|left|390px|[[MG42]] 7.92 x 57mm Mauser (8mm Mauser)]]
[[Image:SPR-MG42.jpg|thumb|none|400px|An [[MG42]] firing from a German bunker on Omaha Beach, Dog Green Sector.]]
 
== Luger P08 ==
 
During the final assault, two German soldiers can be seen using [[Luger P08]] pistols.
 
[[Image:DWM 4 inch Navy Luger 859.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Luger P08 9mm]]
 
== Flak 38 ==
 
A German [[Flak 38]] is crewed by several SS soldiers during the final battle at Ramelle and delivers devastating 20mm flak rounds on Captain Miller's ([[Tom Hanks]]) men.
 
[[Image:SPR-Flak38.jpg|thumb|none|400px|[[Flak 38]] 20mm]]
 
== Model 24 Stielhandgranate ==
 
During the final battle of the film, Private Stanley Mellish ([[Adam Goldberg]]) and Corporal Henderson ([[Maximilian Martini]]) get several [[Model 24 Stielhandgranate]]s thrown at them while manning one of the M1919 machine guns. Thankfully the two are able to grab and toss the grenades clear before they detonate.
 
[[Image:24-43 grenade.jpg|thumb|left|350px|Model 24 Stielhandgranate "Potato Masher" High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade]]
[[Image:SPR-Stielhandgranate.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Mellish ([[Adam Goldberg]]) and Henderson ([[Maximilian Martini]]) catch and toss back several [[Model 24 Stielhandgranate]]s thrown at them by German SS soldiers.]]
 
== Panzerschreck ==
 
During the final battle, one of the German soldiers can be seen carrying a [[Panzerschreck]] rocket launcher, but is killed before his weapon can be brought to bear.
 
[[Image:Tank h5.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Panzerschreck 88mm with rocket]]
[[Image:SPR-Panz.jpg|thumb|500px|none|A German SS soldier carrying a [[Panzerschreck]] during the final battle.]]
 
== MP40 ==
 
Yet another German weapon in the film is the [[MP40]]. It's not very often seen, mostly in the scene where Miller's men stumble on a group of German soldiers, and again during the final battle.
 
[[Image:MP40.jpg|thumb|left|400px|[[MP40]] 9mm]]
[[Image:SPR-MP40.jpg|thumb|400px|none|A German soldier of the 2nd SS with an [[MP40]] during the final battle at Ramelle.]]
 
== M2 Mortar ==
 
At the final battle in Ramelle Private Ryan ([[Matt Damon]]) and Captain Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]) arm 60mm [[M2 Mortar]]s by banging them against the steel launching base of the mortar tube and throw them like hand grenades at advancing SS soldiers, scoring several kills.
 
[[Image:SPR-M2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Private Ryan ([[Matt Damon]]) and Captain Miller ([[Tom Hanks]]) arm 60mm [[M2 Mortar]]s by hand.]]
 
== Sticky Bomb ==
 
While planning the defense of Ramelle, Captain Miller comes up with a unique improvised explosive device he calls a "sticky bomb". It consists of a sock filled with Composition-B explosive with a fuse attached and covered in grease so it sticks where it's placed. Deploying it is a hazardous proposition though; as one soldier is killed when the fuse runs out while he is trying to place it one one of the German tanks, though the bombs do succeed in immobilizing one Tiger tank by destroying its treads.
[[Image:SPR-Sticky.jpg|thumb|500px|none|A "sticky bomb" placed on a Tiger tank's treads.]]
 
== Molotov Cocktail ==
During the final battle at Ramelle two soldiers light and throw a pair of [[Molotov Cocktail]]s off a balcony into an open top German vehicle below.
[[Image:SPR-Molotov.jpg|thumb|500px|none|Two soldiers lighting [[Molotov Cocktail]]s.]]
 
 
== Mk-II No. 75 Hawkins Grenade/Mine ==
Prior to the climactic battle Cpl. Henderson relays to Capt. Miller that thier arsenal of "spitwads" includes Hawkins mines. Later a 101st Airborne soldier is seen placing one on the main street and camouflaging it.
[[Image:Hawkinsmine.JPG|thumb|300px|none| Although manufactured as a grenade the Mk-II No.75 Hawkins Grenade was utilized more efficiently as an anti-tank/vehicle mine. Partly because its shape and weight made accurate throwing difficult.]]


[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:War]]
[[Category:Action]]
[[Category:Action Movie]]
[[Category:Drama]]
[[Category:Steven Spielberg]]
[[Category:National Film Registry]]

Latest revision as of 07:14, 6 July 2023


Saving Private Ryan
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Film Poster
Country Error creating thumbnail: File missing United States
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Release Date 1998
Language English
Studio Amblin Entertainment
Mutual Film Company
Distributor DreamWorks Pictures (United States)
Paramount Pictures (International)
Main Cast
Character Actor
Captain John H. Miller Tom Hanks
Private James Ryan Matt Damon
Sergeant Mike Horvath Tom Sizemore
Private First Class Richard Reiben Edward Burns
Private Daniel Jackson Barry Pepper
Private Stanley Mellish Adam Goldberg
Private Adrian Caparzo Vin Diesel
Medic Irwin Wade Giovanni Ribisi
Sergeant Hill Paul Giamatti
Lieutenant Colonel Walter Anderson Dennis Farina


Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 World War II film directed by Steven Spielberg that stars Tom Hanks as a US Army Ranger captain who leads a squad of men into Normandy to bring home a paratrooper from the 101st Airborne Division who had just lost his three brothers in combat. The film was especially notable for its unflinching depiction of the D-Day landing on Omaha Beach.


The following weapons were used in the film Saving Private Ryan:


See the Discussion for more details on non-firearms weapons used in the film.

Error creating thumbnail: File missing WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!


Rifles & Carbines

M1 Garand

The M1 Garand is the standard issue rifle used by the majority of U.S. soldiers in the film, most notably being the primary weapon of U.S. Army Rangers Private Stanley Mellish (Adam Goldberg), Private Adrian Caparzo (Vin Diesel), 29th Infantry Division Technical Fifth Grade Corporal Upham (Jeremy Davies) and briefly carried by Private Daniel Jackson (Barry Pepper) and Technical Fourth Grade Medic Irwin Wade (Giovanni Ribisi). U.S. Army 101st Airborne Paratroopers including Sergeant Hill (Paul Giamatti), Private James Frederick Ryan (Nathan Fillion) and Private James Ryan (Matt Damon) carry M1 Garands as their main rifle. Saving Private Ryan is also one of few films that correctly depicts the easily identifiable "ping" sound the Garand makes after the last round is fired and the en bloc clip is ejected. In some scenes, soldiers can be seen holding their Garands with relative ease, making these Garands most likely lightweight prop models.

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M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06
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An M1 Garand prop rifle with M1 bayonet used in the film during the D-Day scene. The stock still has sand stuck in it from the beach.
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A U.S. soldier carrying an M1 Garand rather easily with his right hand during the landing on Omaha Beach. In reality, the Garand weighed 9 1/2 lbs and the rifle seen in the screenshot is likely a lightweight replica.
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Private Stanley Mellish (Adam Goldberg) fires his M1 Garand at a German bunker.
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*PING!* - Private Adrian Caparzo (Vin Diesel) fires his M1 Garand. The ejected empty en bloc clip can be seen in this shot.
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Mellish and Caparzo approach a German bunker on Omaha Beach with their M1 Garands.
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Mellish fires his M1 Garand at a fleeing German soldier.
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"Look! I washed for supper!" - A U.S. soldier of low morals holds an M1 Garand with cuts in the stock for an ammo pouch to sling through like an M1 Carbine. This is a strange stock for a Garand. Also note how he can easily hold it with one hand since it is lighter than a real Garand.
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Caparzo, Mellish and Corporal Timothy Upham (Jeremy Davies) with their M1 Garands.
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Sergeant Hill (Paul Giamatti) holding his M1 Garand.
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Behind Reiben, Wade (Giovanni Ribisi) briefly holds an M1 Garand before passing it to a Paratrooper.
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Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) pulls the trigger groupings out of M1 Garands marking dead G.I. graves so they are rendered useless should any Germans try to capture them.
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U.S. paratrooper Trask loads up his M1 Garand before the battle in Ramelle. Note how he has to slap his bolt shut, while the bolt is supposed to snap forwards automatically after the clip is loaded, bad field conditions can cause the mechanism to fail, in which case slapping the operating handle will shut it easily and safely.
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*PING!* - Private James Ryan (Matt Damon) firing his M1 Garand.
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Mellish fires his M1 Garand and then claims it jams, despite the fact it is clearly still in battery.
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Cpl. Upham (Jeremy Davies) points his M1 Garand at a group of fleeing German soldiers including Steamboat Willie.
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Cpl. Upham with his M1 Garand.

M1 Carbine

The M1 Carbine appears as the main weapon of Technical Sergeant Mike Horvath (Tom Sizemore), which is fitted with a double magazine pouch strapped to the buttstock. At least one Paratrooper of the 101st Airborne under Sergeant Hill’s command carries a M1 Carbine in Neuville. Lieutenant Briggs appears to have a M1 Carbine shot up at Omaha Beach.

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M1 Carbine - .30 Carbine
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"Gather weapons and ammo!" - TSgt. Mike Horvath (Tom Sizemore) with his M1 Carbine on Omaha Beach, Dog Green Sector.
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TSgt. Horvath firing his M1 Carbine.
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Horvath with his M1 Carbine as Dog One is opened.
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Horvath racks the bolt on his M1 Carbine before facing the German machine gun nest.
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TSgt. Horvath with his M1 Carbine.
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A U.S. paratrooper taking cover behind a wall with his M1 Carbine during the sniper ambush. Note that it would be more accurate for this paratrooper to be seen with an M1A1 Carbine, a variant of the M1 Carbine that features a folding stock and is commonly issued to paratroopers, however in the case of the operation in France, many Paratroopers lost their gear during and after the jump and tended to scavenge or trade with different military units for weapons available to them.

M1A1 Carbine

Several paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division, including Private Goldman (Raffaello Degruttola), a paratrooper runner, Michaelson (Ryan Hurst) and Private First Class Toynbe (Dylan Bruno) carry the folding stock variant M1A1 Carbine.

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Paratrooper M1A1 Carbine - .30 Carbine
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On the right, Private Goldman (Raffaello Degruttola) with his M1A1 Carbine.
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A paratrooper kills a German tank crewman with his M1A1 Carbine and then holds the hatch open with it. (Close inspection reveals the hatch appears to be made of lightweight material and easy to move)

M1903A4 Springfield

The squad's sharpshooter, Private Daniel Jackson (Barry Pepper), carries the sniper variant of the M1903 Springfield, the M1903A4 Sniper Rifle. The differences include the deletion of the front sight, and the addition of a Weaver 330C scope. As a left-handed shooter, Jackson clearly has trouble cycling the gun throughout the film due to the gun being built for right-handed shooters.

Jackson switches between two sniper scopes throughout the film, a Lyman Alaskan scope and a Unertl scope. Neither of them is the M1903A4's actual Weaver 330C scope, and both are unlikely sights on the WWII European theater: for the Lyman Alaskan, while it was considered for the standard scope for the M1903A4, Lyman's insufficient production led to the Weaver scope being adopted instead. For the Unertl, it was made and issued exclusively to the US Marine Corps, and it had a very different mounting system compared to the Lyman and the Weaver.

There is also a notable scene where Jackson shoots a German sniper through that sniper's own scope, a feat similar to one accomplished by Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock during the Vietnam War. However, in this film, the bullet drop at 400yds would make it impossible to clear all the scope lenses, while Hathcock was far closer to his target, as well as looking down at said target (Hathcock was on a hill, while the enemy sniper was at the base).

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M1903A4 Springfield with Model 330 Weaver scope - .30-06
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-Be not Thou far from me, O Lord.
Pvt. Daniel Jackson (Barry Pepper) aims his M1903A4 Springfield on Omaha Beach, here fitted with the Lyman Alaskan. He quotes the Bible (Psalms 22:19) before firing his weapon, a habit that he repeats throughout the film.
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Pvt. Jackson fires his M1903A4.
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At Neuville, Jackson replaces the Lyman Alaskan scope with an 8x Unertl scope on his M1903A4 to face the German sniper. Here, he is seen adjusting the scope's front objective, which adjusts the scope's parallax, even though he claims it is for windage. Also, his hand is the only thing moving, the front of the scope never twists.
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-O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me.
Jackson takes aim at the German sniper with his M1903A4.
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Jackson with his M1903A4 during the standoff. Note that he's using the Lyman Alaskan scope.
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Cpl. Upham looks through Jackson's Lyman Alaskan scope. Despite which way he turns it, the reticle is always shown perfectly centered.
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An angle view of the M1903A4 Springfield as Jackson covers the Paratroopers over the Tiger Tank. Here the rifle is equipped with the Unertl scope again; note that the Unertl scope has apparently been customized to fit the M1903A4 mount, a very different mount from the actual Unertl scope mount on USMC M1903A1 Springfields.
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Jackson ejects a shell (which is clearly a blank) from his M1903A4.
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Jackson holds his M1903A4 Springfield after firing more than 5 rounds without reloading. Note how the free-bolt safety is clearly on in this shot.

Faulty Scope

During the bell tower sequence, Jackson's Unertl scope appears to be very off from where the bullets hit, as a result of the effects simulating the bullet impacts not being aligned in any way with the camera filming the action.

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Jackson clearly led his target but the gun still shot too far left and likely hit this soldier by luck.
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This shot went way left and way low.
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This shot went way right and way low.

Karabiner 98k

As common with the German forces as the M1 Garand is with the Americans, the Karabiner 98k bolt-action rifle is the standard-issue weapon of the German military. SS Grenadiers during the battle in Ramelle line up armed almost entirely with Kar98k rifles, including 'Steamboat Willie' (Joerg Stadler), who mortally wounds Cpt. Miller with his 98k rifle. Also note how most of the rifles lack the hooded sights and cleaning rods which usually indicates Russian captures.

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Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm Mauser
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Heer soldiers armed with Kar98k rifles and MP40 submachine guns during the standoff.
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SS Grenadiers run to the bridge in Ramelle armed with Kar98k rifles. The device behind the soldier in the foreground is a 60cm SW-36 searchlight on an Sd.Ah.51 trailer.
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'Steamboat Willie' (Joerg Stadler) fires his Karabiner 98k.
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Steamboat Willie's Kar98k recoils after he shoots a paratrooper.
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Steamboat Willie chambers his Kar98k. You can see the bullet in the chamber and the ejected brass flying in front of his fellow soldier's face.

Karabiner 98k Sniper Rifle

A Heer sniper is armed with a Karabiner 98k sniper rifle fitted with a Zeiss ZF42 scope with a rubber light blocking eye cover (which despite goof reports, is at proper eye relief with him resting his eye on it) and covered in makeshift burlap camouflage. He mortally wounds PFC Adrian Caparzo (Vin Diesel) before being killed himself by Private Daniel Jackson (Barry Pepper). Jackson shoots this German sniper through his scope, a reference to a shot made by legendary Marine Corps sniper Carlos Norman Hathcock II during the Vietnam War.

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Karabiner 98k sniper rifle with Zeiss ZF42 scope - 7.92x57mm Mauser
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A Heer sniper aims his Karabiner 98k sniper rifle.

Submachine Guns

M1A1 Thompson

The M1A1 Thompson aka the "Tommy Gun" or "fast gun" is carried by Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks). The Thompson is also used by other soldiers as well as Paratroopers, notably Pathfinder Captain Fred Hamill (Ted Danson) to end a standoff between Miller's squad and a group of German soldiers they had stumbled upon. Corporal Fred Henderson (Max Martini) and some Paratroopers under his command also carry the Thompson submachine gun in Ramelle.

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M1A1 Thompson - .45 ACP
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Capt. John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) removes his M1A1 Thompson from its clear protective bag. The clear material is PLIOFILM, an early plastic wrap that was more temperature resistant than other plastic wraps but fully ceased production after WWII, as it involved harmful chemicals that caused health issues for factory workers.
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Cpt. Miller covering a German machine gun bunker with his Thompson.
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Captain Fred Hamill (Ted Danson), on the left, and one of his men holding freshly fired M1A1 Thompsons.
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Miller reloads his Thompson before the battle in Ramelle, despite having been clearly seen reloading it the scene before when facing the half-track. This could be due to nervous habit.
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Capt. Miller (Tom Hanks) with his Thompson at the ready.
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Miller fires his Thompson through the driver's viewport of a "Tiger" tank.
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Capt. Miller firing his Thompson.
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Cpl. Fred Henderson (Max Martini) fires his Thompson at a German through the wall. Note the holes are perpendicular to the wall but Henderson is at an angle.

MP40

The MP40 is also used by German forces, notably in the scene where Miller's squad stumbles upon a group of German soldiers, as well as during the defense of the bridge at Ramelle.

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MP40 - 9x19mm
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A German beach defender fires his MP40 on Omaha Beach, hiding behind an MG42 nest.
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A Heer soldier armed with an MP40 during the standoff.
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An SS Grenadier armed with a RPzB 54 has an MP40 slung over his back.
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An SS Grenadier blind-fires his MP40 in the room before being taken down by Pvt. Mellish.
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An SS Grenadier armed with an MP40 leads a charge during the battle of Ramelle while Cpl. Upham hides nearby.
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An SS Grenadier armed with an MP40 charges a paratrooper but gets a rifle butt to the face before he can use it.

Machine Guns & Automatic Rifles

M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle

As the squad's support gunner, Private First Class Richard Reiben (Edward Burns) carries an M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle or "B.A.R." as his main weapon. The B.A.R. Reiben carries is not his originally issued one, which he claims he lost during the start of the D-Day landing to keep from drowning, and has the bipod removed, making it more into an assault rifle instead of a light machine gun. Further supporting this theory is how he fires it on the faster of the B.A.R.'s two full-auto fire modes, instead of the more efficient slow auto-fire used for support. Reports have said that, like the M1 Garands in the film, this B.A.R. was lightened for easier use by the actors, making it far easier to shoulder fire the weapon as an assault rifle.

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M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06
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Private First Class Richard Reiben sets the bullets in his magazine by tapping it on his helmet and then loads it into his B.A.R.
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PFC. Reiben gives supporting fire on an MG42 nest with his Browning Automatic Rifle.
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Reiben (Edward Burns) with his B.A.R. while talking to his squadmates.
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Reiben with his B.A.R. during the standoff.
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Reiben with his B.A.R. while in the town.
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Reiben racks the charging handle on his B.A.R. before being driven out as bait for the company of mechanized SS.
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Reiben with his B.A.R. at the ready.
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Reiben hip fires his B.A.R. on rapid auto-firing mode. It's amazing he can see what he's shooting at with his helmet so low on his face.
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A shell-shocked Capt. Miller watches Reiben fires his B.A.R.

Browning M1919A4

The Browning M1919A4 or "Browning .30 caliber" machine gun is briefly seen being lugged by a U.S. soldier during the Omaha Beach scene. This machine gun is also among the weapons used by the defenders during the final battle at Ramelle. With only two machine guns available at Ramelle, one M1919A4 is manned by Airborne paratrooper Pvt. Parker (Demetri Goritsas) in the bell tower with Private Jackson and the other is manned by Corporal Fred Henderson (Max Martini) with Private Stanley Mellish (Adam Goldberg) as his assistant feeding and reloading. Both guns eventually run out of ammunition, their users being killed. The gun in the tower has a disintegrating belt and Mellish's gun has a fabric belt.

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Browning M1919A4 on M2 tripod - .30-06
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A U.S. soldier is seen lugging a Browning M1919A4 machine gun during the assault on Omaha Beach.
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Cpl. Fred Henderson (Max Martini) and Pvt. Stanley Mellish (Adam Goldberg) load their Browning M1919A4 in preparation for battle. Note how it is loaded with a fabric ammo belt.
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Henderson firing his Browning M1919A4, the fabric belt is seen.
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Henderson firing his Browning M1919A4 with Mellish feeding him.
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Pvt. Parker (Demetri Goritsas) firing his Browning M1919A4 from a bell tower. This machine gun is loaded with a disintegrating link belt.
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Close-up of the disintegrating ammo belt. Note that the belt is loaded with blank crimp-nosed rounds.
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Parker moves his M1919A4. Despite Parker saying he's out of .30 caliber, the ammo belt is still loaded on the left.

MG42

Known by the Allies as "Hitler's Buzzsaw", the German MG42 was perhaps the deadliest machine gun of World War II. Its extreme high rate of fire is accurately portrayed in the film. Its most notable appearance is during the Omaha Beach sequence, being fired from large pillboxes and sandbag positions overlooking the beach. Two pillboxes housing the MG42s are called 'Schnabelstand' and they were only used for observation and target spotting, not MG emplacement. However, there were none of these bunkers on the real Omaha Beach. The MG42 is later seen mounted on a lafette tripod, when Miller's squad encounter a German machine gun nest.

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MG42 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
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A German beach defender firing the MG42 from his nest during the D-Day scene.
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An MG42, mounted on a lafette tripod, still smoking from the recent firefight.

MG34 Panzerlauf

During the final battle, SS Tiger tanks (in reality mocked-up T34s) can be seen armed with MG34 Panzerlauf machine guns, mounted coaxially next to the main gun and in the bow of the hull next to the driver's compartment.

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MG34 Panzerlauf with stock fitted - 7.92x57mm Mauser
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An MG34 (circled in red) bow-mounted on a "Tiger" tank (actually a visually modified T34).

Pistols

Colt M1911A1

The Colt M1911A1 pistol is seen in the hands of TSgt. Horvath (Tom Sizemore), Pvt. Jackson (Barry Pepper), and Capt. Miller (Tom Hanks). Horvath uses it to threaten PFC Richard Reiben (Edward Burns) when he wants to abandon his squad, later throws it during a melee scuffle in the final battle. Captain Miller is seen firing it at one of "Tiger" tanks as he sits wounded on the bridge in one of the film's most memorable moments.

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Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP
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A large muzzle flash is emitted from Jackson's Colt M1911A1.
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Pvt. Daniel Jackson (Barry Pepper) fires his M1911A1 into a German filled trench.
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Pvt. Jackson draws his M1911A1 when his squad first confronts Steamboat Willie (Joerg Stadler) and checks the magazine, which is clearly empty.
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Mike Horvath (Tom Sizemore) threatening to shoot PFC Richard Reiben (Edward Burns) with his M1911A1.
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A wounded Capt. Miller fires his M1911A1 at an advancing "Tiger" tank. Note how his pistol is clearly out of battery, but in perfect working order in the next shot.
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Miller fires his M1911A1 at the advancing tank.
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Miller in amazement after seeing the tank blow up after shooting it with his M1911A1 (which was actually blown up by a P-51 Mustang). In this sequence, the pistol was only loaded with six rounds instead of the fully-loaded seven which is not unusual since soldiers don't always 'top off' their magazines in the middle of a war zone after firing one or more rounds previously. It is also likely that since there are too many camera angle shots of Miller firing his pistol, the camera shot for the seventh round may be unused or misplaced.

Walther P38

During the final battle in Ramelle, an SS Panzergrenadier can be seen using a Walther P38 when confronting TSgt. Horvath and is killed but still manages to wound him with it.

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Walther P38 - World War II dated with black grips - 9x19mm
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An SS Panzergrenadier fires his Walther P38 at Horvath.

Launchers

M1A1 Bazooka

The M1A1 Bazooka is used in some scenes. It is first seen in the hands of a U.S. soldier under the command of Captain Fred Hamill (Ted Danson). Later we see Private James F. Ryan (Matt Damon) using an M1A1 Bazooka to destroy a German half-track. In preparation for the battle of Ramelle, the inventory shows two Bazookas available, one of them bring the same one carried by Ryan and later used by TSgt. Horvath (Tom Sizemore) during the final battle to destroy a Marder III self-propelled gun. The second Bazooka was briefly picked up by Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) before being commandeered by Horvath in an attempt to destroy a "Tiger" tank, but the rocket is deflected off the tank's heavy armor.

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M1A1 Bazooka - 2.36 inch
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Private James F. Ryan (Matt Damon) with the M1A1 Bazooka after destroying a German half-track.
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TSgt. Horvath prepares to fire the M1A1 Bazooka at a Marder III.
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Capt. Miller attempts to use an M1A1 Bazooka before Horvath takes it.
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Horvath fires a shot at the Tiger tank, but it deflects off due to the combination of the rocket hitting the tank at a bad angle and the tank's heavy armor.

Raketenpanzerbüchse 54

During the final battle, one of SS Grenadiers can be seen carrying a Raketenpanzerbüchse (RPzB) 54 rocket launcher, better known as the "Panzerschreck", and fires at a group of retreating U.S. troops, sending one paratrooper through a glass window. Another Grenadier is also seen with a RPzB but is killed by Pvt. Ryan.

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RPzB 54 "Panzerschreck" rocket launcher - 88mm
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An SS Grenadier carrying a RPzB 54 during the final battle. Note that the shield has slipped and is crooked.
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The same Grenadier aims his RPzB 54. The shield is now back in place.
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An SS Grenadier runs out with a RPzB 54 before being pointed out and killed by Pvt. Ryan.

M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher with M9A1 Rifle Grenade

During the Omaha Beach scene, we can briefly see an M1 Garand mounted M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher being used to fire an M9A1 Rifle Grenade after the German line has been broken.

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M7 rifle grenade launcher
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M9A1 Rifle Grenade
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An M9A1 grenade about to be fired from the M7 launcher of an M1 Garand. Note that this is likely a lightweight prop, as the stabilizer fin of the grenade has slid up the tail section to be directly behind the warhead.
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An M9A1 grenade fired from the M7 launcher of an M1 Garand. While the combination of overcharged M3 grenade launcher cartridge and the heavy 19-ounce grenade was unpleasant, direct fire from the shoulder was safely possible.

Grenades

Mk 2 Hand Grenade

During the attack on the German machine gun nest, Miller's squad uses Mk 2 hand grenades to take out all but one of German soldiers throws the grenades back at them, though thankfully miss. Later, during the final battle in Ramelle, several Mk 2 hand grenades are tossed into a disabled German tank, killing the crew.

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Mk 2 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade
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PFC. Reiben hands Cpl. Medic Irwin Wade a Mk 2 grenade before rushing the machine gun nest.
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A Mk 2 grenade is seen on this paratrooper's vest.
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Paratroopers prepare to throw their Mk 2 grenades into the Tiger tank.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

During the final battle, Private Stanley Mellish (Adam Goldberg) and Corporal Fred Henderson (Max Martini) get two Model 24 Stielhandgranates thrown at them while manning one of M1919A4 machine guns. Thankfully the two are able to grab and toss the grenades clear before they detonate.

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Model 24 Stielhandgranate "Potato Masher" High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade
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Corporal Fred Henderson (Max Martini) is hit in the chest with a Model 24 Stielhandgranate.

Others

M1 Flamethrower

During the Omaha Beach scene, Private First Class Doyle (Glenn Wrage) uses the M1 Flamethrower to clear a German bunker overlooking the beach, turning the occupants into human torches. A group of U.S. soldiers are ordered to let them burn. During the opening of the scene, a flamethrower operator gets hit in the napalm tank and gets blown up along with his comrades around him.

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M1 Flamethrower
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A U.S. soldier with his M1 Flamethrower, seconds before being lit up by a single 7.92mm round.
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PFC. Doyle (Glenn Wrage) readies his flamethrower to burn the pillbox.
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Doyle's flamethrower clears out the bunker with a burst of flame. How this burst of flame is so large in unknown. It may be possible that within the confines of the narrow cement hallways in the bunker, it amplifies the blast.

M1A1 Bangalore Torpedo

Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) aids some soldiers in employing M1A1 Bangalore Torpedos to clear the barbed wire seawall (which would have actually been made of concrete, wood timbers, and pebbles). This is an homage to Major General Norman "Dutch" Cota who fearlessly encouraged his men to use the Bangalores to clear the seawall.

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Crate containing M1A1 Bangalore Torpedoes
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U.S. soldiers bring up M1A1 Bangalore Torpedoes to clear the seawall.
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U.S. soldiers passing up Bangalores. Note how the side reads "Bangalore M1A1".
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A soldier lights the fuse on the Bangalore while Capt. Miller holds it.
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"FIRE IN THE HOLE!". The torpedo is detonated to clear the seawall..

2 cm Flak 38

A 2 cm Flak 38 is used by several SS Grenadiers during the final battle at Ramelle and delivers devastating 20mm Flak rounds on U.S. paratroopers.

2 cm Flak 38 in single mounting - 20x138mmB
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The 2 cm Flak 38 being fired at the paratroopers.
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20mm shells kick out of the 2 cm Flak 38.
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The crew turns their 2 cm Flak 38 to Cpt. Miller's position.
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The crew begins to reposition the gun before being flanked by Reiben's B.A.R.

M2 Mortar

During the final battle at Ramelle, Private Ryan (Matt Damon) and Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) arm 60mm M2 Mortar shells by banging them against the steel launching base of the mortar tube and throw them like hand grenades at advancing SS soldiers, scoring several kills. This scene is based on the real life tactics of Medal of Honor winner Charles "Commando" Kelly, who really used 60mm mortar shells as grenades during a firefight in Italy.

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Pvt. Ryan (Matt Damon) arms a 60mm M2 Mortar shell by his hand.

15 cm TbtsK C/36 naval gun

A 15 cm TbtsK C/36 is positioned in a German bunker at Omaha Beach.

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15 cm TbtsK C/36 naval gun in a Regelbau M272 casemate at the Longues-sur-Mer battery, France.