Patton is the 1970 biographical war film that stars George C. Scott as the legendary US Army General George S. Patton, who led the US 3rd Army through notable campaigns in the European theater during World War II. The film was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner (Planet of the Apes) from a script co-written by Francis Ford Coppola and the cast included Karl Malden as General Omar Bradley. Patton would gain numerous accolades following its release, including Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott. The film was filmed principally in Spain, utilizing the military assets of the Spanish Army.
The following weapons were used in the film Patton:
True to his real life counterpart, General George S. Patton (George C. Scott) in the film carries an ivory-gripped Single Action Army in his holster with his initials "GSP" engraved on the grip. When a reporter asks him about his "pearl-handled revolvers", Patton quickly retorts "They're ivory. Only a pimp from a cheap New Orleans whorehouse would carry a pearl-handled pistol."
-Fact: George C. Scott's Patton (and his real life counterpart) only carries one ivory handle Colt 1873 Single Action Army. The second pistol he carried was an ivory-handled Smith and Wesson .357 'Registered Magnum', later given the designation Model 27. The Single Action Army was engraved and had an Eagle carved into the left grip panel. Both the Registered Magnum and Single Action Army also had Patton's monogram on the right grip panel.
Patton's signature ivory-handled SAA is replaced by a Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum with his "GSP" initials engraved on it for the shot during his opening speech. It is otherwise seen at points in the film being carried in combination with his Colt SAA revolver. General Patton purchased the Smith & Wesson 'Registered Magnum' (known later as the Model 27) in 1935 directly from Smith & Wesson. He had the nickname "Two Guns" as he wore matching Colt SAA that he had until giving one away as a gift. He then wore that Smith & Wesson in place of the one given away. He also wore Colt 1908 Hammerless Pistol and a Remington Model 51 pistol.
Two custom Smith & Wesson Registered Magnums with engraved ivory grips - .357 Magnum. The bottom is the 'hero gun' from the film, while the top is the actual S&W Registered Magnum carried by Patton. Photograph courtesy of the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor, Fort Knox, KY.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe grip of Patton's Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum seen during his famous opening speech.Error creating thumbnail: File missingAs Patton walks through the HQ, the SAA in visible in his right holster while the S&W .357 Mag is holstered on the left.
Colt Model 1903 Hammerless
Patton also carries a Colt Model 1903 Hammerless as a personal sidearm (kept either in his waistband or a shoulder holster), most notably using it to shoot at a German plane that fires at his headquarters in North Africa. Major General Walter Bedell Smith (Edward Binns) also carries a Colt Hammerless in a shoulder holster.
Some of the Moroccan troops that line up for Patton carry MAT-49 submachine guns. These are anachronistic for the scene, which takes place in 1943, as they weren't developed until a few years later. Likely intended as a stand-in for the period-correct but difficult to acquire MAS-38.
Many German soldiers carry the Spanish Star Z45 submachine gun, (with a MP40 barrel attached), as a stand-in for the genuine German MP40 in some scenes.
When US Army soldiers are seen arguing at a congested intersection, one of the soldiers appears to carry at first glance an M1 Carbine. Upon closer inspection, the rifle's magazine appears to be too big to be for the carbine. It's been surmised that this rifle is in reality a Beretta BM59, a rifle not introduced until the 1950's.
Patton himself holds onto the barrel of a Browning M2 Aircraft heavy machine gun while riding atop a half-track on his way to his new headquarters in North Africa. Several tanks are seen fitted with these as well.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingBrowning M2 Aircraft, Flexible - .50 BMG. This variant of the Browning M2 developed for aircraft is used heavily in the film industry due to the ease of blank adapting the aircraft version.Error creating thumbnail: File missingPatton stands atop a half-track with his hand on the barrel of an Browning M2 Aircraft.Error creating thumbnail: File missingPatton looks around the city as he is driven to headquarters, grasping the barrel of an M2 Aircraft.Error creating thumbnail: File missingPatton arrives, still holding the Browning M2 Aircraft.Error creating thumbnail: File missingTank commanders fire Browning M2 Aircraft MG's from their M41 Walker Bulldogs (standing in for M4 Shermans) as German bombers strafe the Patton's HQ. This tank was not in service during World War II.
Browning M2HB
Tanks and Half-tracks of Patton's Third Army roll through France and Germany with mounted Browning M2HB heavy machine guns.
The Browning Automatic Rifle is briefly seen carried by US troops during Patton's first engagement with Rommel's forces. Judging by the placement of the bipod, it's possible the weapon is a FN BAR Type D.
What appears to be an M20 "Super Bazooka" is used by Patton's troops (Like the American tanks in the film, the M20 would not be correct for the time period).
The tanks used in the film to represent German armor are in reality anachronistic US made M48's, also known as the "Patton". These were likely on loan from the Spanish Army, who provided a variety of military equipment for the film. These tanks were painted in desert camouflage with German markings for the production. The tanks also were briefly seen as American armor as well.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe tanks used in the film to represent German armor are in reality anachronistic US made M48's, also known as the "Patton".Error creating thumbnail: File missingUS tanks during the first engagement with the Germans. Note the camouflage laid on the turrets to disguise its appearance.
M41 Walker Bulldog
The majority of the US tanks seen in the film are in reality anachronistic M41 Walker Bulldogs.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingTank commanders fire Browning M2 Aircraft MG's from their M41 Walker Bulldogs as German bombers strafe the Patton's HQ. The M41 was not in service during World War II.Error creating thumbnail: File missingM41 Walker Bulldog tanks representing US armor prepare to advance during Patton's first engagement with Rommel's forces.
