Rough Riders is a 1997 TNT biographical miniseries directed by John Milius and starring Tom Berenger as Lt. Col. Teddy Roosevelt. The miniseries depicts Roosevelt's days as commander of the 1st US Voluntary Cavalry Regiment, better known as "The Rough Riders", and highlights the Regiment's military actions during the Spanish-American War in 1898. The cast included Gary Busey, Sam Elliott, and Brad Johnson.
The following weapons can be seen in the miniseries Rough Riders:
The Colt Peacemaker is used by Lt. Colonel Teddy Roosevelt (Tom Berenger) and other U.S. Army officers. Historically speaking, Roosevelt used a .38 caliber double action Colt revolver that had been recovered from the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor after it was sunk (see Colt 1889). But John Milius, the director, wanted him to carry the Peacemaker since Roosevelt is considered to be the "Cowboy President".
The C96 Mauser Broomhandle is used by German military advisers to the Spanish Army, Spanish officers, and Henry Nash (Brad Johnson) during the Battle for Kettle and San Juan Hills. It is worth mentioning that the German military advisers had a neutral role.
A sporting configuration Winchester Model 1895 is used by Col. Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt (Tom Berenger) and a small number of other U.S. Army officers throughout much of the fighting on Cuba. He gives it to one of his soldiers during the attack up Kettle Hill after that soldier breaks his Krag-Jorgensen butt stroking a Spanish soldier. The assumption is that the rifle is chambered in 30-40 Krag. In reality the Winchester Model 1895 rifle used in the filming is the personal property of director John Milius (a fan of the 1895 Winchester) and chambered in 35 Winchester. Also Roosevelt gave his Winchester 1895 to one of his soldiers before the regiment departed Florida for Cuba.
Used by several of the regiment's officers to include Bucky O'Neill (Sam Elliott). After O'Neill (Sam Elliott) is killed his Winchester is used by Henry Nash (Brad Johnson) during the Battle for Kettle and San Juan Hills. Like the 1895 rifle the assumption is the carbines are also chambered for 30-40 Krag. The pair on the show was chambered in .30-40 Krag and was supplied by Ellis Mercantile.-Phoenixent
Bucky O'Neill (Sam Elliott) and several of his companions can be seen with full-length Winchester Model 1892 rifles with octagonal barrels when joining the Arizona volunteers for the Rough Riders. He soon switches it out for a Model 1895 Saddle Ring Carbine.
The famous painter Frederick Remington (Nick Chinlund) is shown accompanying the U.S. expedition to Cuba as a war correspondent/artist. There is a scene where he is painting the battle as it is occurring. Sitting next to him as he is working is a Winchester Model 1886 with what is known as a short magazine. Some refer to this configuration as a "Sporter" Model 1886. It was lighter with the shortened magazine. Therefore easier to carry and quicker to the shoulder, which is important when hunting game.
Krag-Jorgensen M1896 Carbine is used by most of the 1st Volunteer U.S. Cavalry soldiers (i.e. Rough Riders) in the movie. A few use the Winchester Model 1895 and the regimental cook Eli (Geoffrey Lewis) opts for a double barrel shotgun.
The Springfield 1879 Trapdoor is used by both the Cuban rebels and many of the U.S. Army units. This is not incorrect. Most of the National Guard units did not have Krag-Jorgensen rifles at this time.
The regiment's cook Eli (Geoffrey Lewis) carries a cut down Remington Model 1889 double barrel shotgun. Appears to be either 12 gauge or 10 gauge. The 1889 was available in either gauge.
Two Colt Model 1895 Machine Guns are used by the Rough Riders for fire support. The script has that the two 1895's are a gift from Lewis Tiffany. Unknown if this is factual. The pair on the show were actually Model 1914 made by Marlin and chambered in 7.62 x 54mmR Russian and supplied by Stembridge Gun Rentals.
Though historically inaccurate a Maxim Gun is used for dramatic effect and to foreshadow World War One. The machine gun (in the film supposedly provided by German Advisers to the Spanish Army) was supposed to be an 1884 Maxim Prototype gun (the type distributed by Hiram Maxim to warring parties in conflicts like the Transvaal "Boer War"), but there is little proof that Maxims were used by the Spaniards in the war. After taking Kettle Hill the Rough Riders use the Maxim along with their Colt machine guns to fire on San Juan Hill.
There are multiple screencaps of the artillery used by both the Spanish and American forces during the Battle for San Juan Hill. I am unable to identify the various pieces so I will leave it for somebody more familiar with field artillery than I am. I can tell you that according to the August 1997 issue of Guns & Ammo the artillery pieces were two breech loaded 1891 2.5 inch Krupp field guns, an altered French 75mm gun (the steel splinter shield was removed), a two pounder Hotchkiss mountain gun and a Hotchkiss revolving cannon.
