Lt. John J. Dunbar (Kevin Costner) keeps a Colt 1851 Navy as his sidearm throughout the film. It is actually converted to fire metallic cartridges which is safer then using blanks on a percussion revolver. Also seen in the hands of some high ranking Union officers.Major Fambrough (Maury Chaykin) kills himself with one. Also John Dunbar's revolver could be considered as slightly achronistic due to its model type. This particular revolver was built in London, England due to its appearence being a steel frame with black iron backstrap and black steel barrel. As only around 2,000 units were produced at the London Colt factory it is highly unlikely that John would come by one
[[Image:DWWColt1851-5.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Dunbar struggles to shoot a Pawnee with his 1851 Navy when he attacks him. It can be seen that the cylinder is one that houses metallic cartridges, but the rest of the revolver is untouched, to make the Colt look like a genuine Colt 1851 Navy from the Civil War period. Also can be seen the black iron backstrap and steel frame, indicating it to be a London produced Colt Navy
Lt. John J. Dunbar (Kevin Costner) keeps a polished brass frame Henry 1860 rifle, or as the Rebels called it, "That damned Yankee rifle you load on Sunday and shoot all week", as his main weapon of choice throughout the film.
Dunbar also gives many of the Siouxs Sharps Saddle Ring carbines, also assumed to be the 1863 model. Union soldiers are later seen almost entirely armed with Sharps Carbines in the film, and use them to sadly shoot down Dunbar's pet wolf, Two Socks.
12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun Muzzleloaders are seen used by some of the Confederate soldiers at the beginning of the film and Timmons (Robert Pastorelli) keeps one at his side while driving Dunbar in his coach. They are noted as muzzle loaders based on the ramrod underslung under the barrels.
