Wyatt Earp is a 1994 Western starring Kevin Costner as the title character, the legendary lawman of the Old West. The film was directed by Lawrence Kasdan (Silverado) and the cast included Dennis Quaid, Michael Madsen, and Gene Hackman. The movie was released six months following 1993's Tombstone, a rival film about Earp that Costner originally was involved in, but would later feature Kurt Russell in the role. Unlike Tombstone, Wyatt Earp encompassed the entire life of the lawman before and after the events of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
The following weapons were used in the film Wyatt Earp:
As with many Westerns, the Single Action Army is the most commonly seen gun in the film, in the hands (or holsters) of nearly every major and minor character.
Single Action Army Quickdraw Model (4.75" barrel)
Wyatt Earp (Kevin Costner) is seen multiple times throughout the film using Single Action Army revolvers. During his early years, he is seen with the Quick Draw model.
The Artillery Model appears to be the most prominent model seen in the film. Mid-way through the film, Wyatt is seen to have selected an Artillery with a 5 1/2" barrel as his left hand gun.
Mid-way through the film, Wyatt Earp is seen to have selected a Cavalry with an 7 1/2" barrel as his right hand gun. It should be noted that rumors of Earp's original Buntline being used in the film seem to be erroneous, as Earp's buntline was a 12" barrel model, while the film only exhibits 7 1/2" length barreled SAAs, it could be that his other pistols were used rather than his original Buntline.
Colt Sheriff's Model Single Action Army (3.5" barrel)
John "Doc" Holliday (Dennis Quaid) uses a Colt Sheriff's Model SAA revolver with a 3.5" barrel and nickel finish as his weapon of choice and uses it several times in the film, including the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Historians have proven that during the gunfight, Doc Holliday was actualy used a 7.5" Cavalry SAA, not a Colt Sheriff's Model. He was believed to have carried a Cavalry SAA right up until he died in the sanitarium at age 36.
A man named Ed Ross (Martin Kove) tried to draw his Colt 1851 Navy revolver with a Richards-Mason Cartridge Conversion on Wyatt after hearing a drunk claim Wyatt was looking for a fight. Instead of drawing his Starr revolver, Wyatt grabs a Pool ball and throws it at the man's throat. He then takes the gun for himself and practices drawing it during the Fourth of July fireworks show. Based on Wyatt's age and the time, this gun is likely an anachronism. -Close call, he was born in 1848 or so I believe so while it could go either way, it is probably an anachronism. (Wyatt Earp was born in 1848 and the patent for the first Richards-Mason conversion was in 1871 with a second improved patent in 1872. So Wyatt would have been about 24 years old when the first Richards-Mason conversion Patent was awarded.)
Two drunkards settle an argument at the start of the film by drawing Colt 1860 Army revolvers with Richards-Mason cartridge conversions (which are anachronistic to the time). The unruly man who tries to force Wyatt to drink whiskey tries to reach for a nickel Army cartridge gun but Wyatt draws faster and makes him leave. Big Nose Kate (Isabella Rossellini) is later seen using one, which she fired some shots at Doc Holliday for slapping her, but Wyatt Earp knocks Doc out and take the gun from her.
Wyatt Earp (Kevin Costner) uses a Remington 1875 revolver early in the film and draws it to hold up a man who tries to force him to drink whiskey and goes for his gun when he denies.
When Ed and Bat Masterson confront two men and ask them to surrender their firearms, Wyatt runs up and knocks them both out. Ed asks if it was necessary and when Wyatt finds a derringer, likely a Remington Vest Pocket, ready to fire in one of their hands, he makes it clear that it was absolutely necessary.
The gun given to Doc Holliday by Virgil Earp is a Stevens 10 gauge shotgun right before the Gunfight at the O.K Corral. According to historians, the gun was borrowed by Wyatt Earp from Fred Dodge and was infact used during the infamous gunfight.
A Colt Model 1878 Shotgun is seen used by Wyatt Earp several times in the film including stopping Ruffians in Dodge City and killing assassins during the Canyon Ambush.
One of Wyatt's deputies is seen armed with a J. Stevens and Company 1878 shotgun. Johnny Behand (Mark Harmon) is also seen carrying one while waiting to arrest Wyatt.
