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Gettysburg
Gettysburg is the 1993 war film that depicts the events of the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. First airing as a two night event on the TNT network, the film was based on a novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. For the massive battle scenes, the production employed Civil War reenactors who provided their own kit, allowing the shooting of the scenes on a relatively modest budget, and making the uniforms and weapons seen remarkably accurate for the period. Several characters from this film would return in the 2003 prequel, Gods and Generals (which was adapted from a Jeff Shaara novel).
The following weapons were used in the film Gettysburg:
Enfield 1853
The most commonly seen weapon in the film is the Enfield Pattern 1853, carried by Union and Confederate troops, often in the same unit as Springfields. Although this was common in the Confederate Army, the Union issued Enfields and Springfields separately to simplify logistics.
-Actually, 36% of Union regiments at Gettysburg were armed with two or more types of weapons. For example, the 20th Maine had a mixture of Springfields, Enfields, and Austrian Lorenz rifles. In fact, at the time (and even more so after Gettysburg), the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia was more efficient in standardizing specific weapon calibers on a regimental level than the Union Army of the Potomac.
Springfield Model 1861
Both Union and Confederate soldiers use Springfield Model 1861 rifles throughout the film.
Springfield Model 1842
Several soldiers in the 20th and Armistead's Brigade are seen with Springfield Model 1842 muskets. Although this was a outdated weapon by 1863, several regiments at Gettysburg were still carrying Model 1842 muskets, most notably the 12th New Jersey and the Irish Brigade.
Whitworth Rifle
A Confederate sniper uses a scoped Whitworth Rifle to kill Union General Reynolds during the battle. The British-made Whitworth was considered the most accurate muzzle-loader available during the Civil War and prized by Confederate sharpshooters.
Sharps 1859 Carbine
Buford's Union cavalry use Sharps 1859 carbines along with Springfields (used by extras in infantry uniforms, suggesting not enough cavalry reenactors were available). Other than that, the Sharps are never seen in the movie again.
Berdan Sharps 1859 Rifle
A detachment from the 1st US Sharpshooters, attached to the 20th Maine, can be seen carrying their distinctive Berdan model Sharps Rifles.
Remington 1863 Zouave Rifle
At least one Confederate soldier can be seen armed with a Remington 1863 Zouave rifle. This is historically inaccurate: though 20,000 Remington Zouave rifles were produced, none were ever issued. They simply sat in storage until reenacting caught on, in the days before reproductions were widely available and affordable.
Colt 1860 Army
Several Union officers use Colt 1860 Army revolvers. Joshua Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels) uses a Colt 1860 most notably at the Battle of Little Round Top. Joshua is seen reloading his Colt while waiting for the Confederates to charge again. Several other Union officers are seen using Colt 1860 Army's.
Several Union and Confederate officers, including Thomas Chamberlain (C. Thomas Howell), use Colt 1851 Navy revolvers.
Remington 1858
A Union officer is seen firing a Remington 1858 New Army revolver immediately prior to the Little Round Top battle.
Kerr Revolver
The Confederate officer who almost shoots Joshua Chamberlain carries a British Kerr revolver, small numbers of which were imported by the Confederacy.
Though this incident did occur, Chamberlain specifically stated in his memoirs that the Confederate carried a Navy revolver.
Cannon
Cannon is used in every battle scene, taking out several soldiers with each shot.
