The Flowers of War
Film poster
The Flowers of War is a 2011 Chinese historical drama directed by Zhang Yimou and based on the novel "13 Flowers of Nanjing" by Geling Yan. In the midst of the Rape of Nanking during the Second Sino-Japanese War, an American mortician, John Miller (Christian Bale ), a group of schoolgirls, and prostitutes from a nearby brothel find sanctuary in a Catholic church. To rescue the women, John tries posing as a priest.
The following weapons were used in the movie The Flowers of War
Handguns
Nambu Type 14
Imperial Japanese officers use Nambu Type 14 pistols.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Early Nambu Type 14 - 8x22mm Nambu
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese officer holds his Nambu Type 14.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Same officer.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese officer fires his Nambu at Major Li.
Mauser C96
Major Li (Dawei Tong ) carries a holstered Mauser C96 .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mauser C96 - 7.63x25mm Mauser
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Mauser C96 in Major Li's holster.
Submachine Guns
Sten Mk II (modified to resemble SIG M1920)
Some Chinese Nationalist soldiers can be seen armed with the Sten Mk II submachine gun (probably airsoft replicas) visually modified to resemble SIG M1920 submachine guns. The same props can be seen in Cold Steel .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sten Mk II - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing SIG M1920 - 9x19mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Chinese Nationalist soldier aims his fake SIG.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another Chinese Nationalist soldier with his fake SIG SMG.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing This one has original SIG-style barrel shroud.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Chinese soldiers get shot by a Japanese tank machine gun. The fake SIG is on the left.
Rifles
Type Zhongzheng Rifle
The Type Zhongzheng rifle is used by Chinese Nationalist soldiers, including Major Li, in the defense of Nanking.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type Zhongzheng rifle - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Chinese soldiers aim their Type Zhongzheng rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Chinese soldier holds his Zhongzheng rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Major Li holds his scoped Type Zhongzheng rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Major Li fires his scoped rifle at Japanese soldiers. Here, we see the scope is mounted ahead of the bullet chamber, allowing the use of a straight bolt handle.
Arisaka Type 38
The Imperial Japanese soldiers use the Arisaka Type 38 in the battle and subsequent occupation of Nanking.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Arisaka Type 38 rifle - 6.5x50mm Arisaka
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier aims his Arisaka Type 38 at John Miller.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Japanese soldiers hold their Arisaka Type 38 rifles.
Machine Guns
Bren Gun
The Bren Gun is used by Chinese Nationalist soldiers in the defense of Nanking. Based on the straight magazine, these appear to be Canadian manufacture Brens, which were chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser and supplied to China during WWII (making their appearance during the Nanking Massacre as depicted here anachronistic).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Bren Gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser. This variant of the Bren was manufactured by Inglis in Canada and was supplied to the Chinese army during WWII.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Chinese soldier fires the Bren.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Chinese soldier fires the Bren light machine gun. Another soldier prepares to throw a Type 67 stick grenade at Japanese soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Chinese soldier holds the Bren.
Type 11 Light Machine Gun
The Type 11 light machine gun is used by Imperial Japanese soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 11 Light Machine Gun - 6.5x50mm Arisaka.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier fires the Type 11 LMG at Major Li's position.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier holds the Type 11 LMG.
Type 91 Tank Machine Gun
Type 94 tankettes are armed with the Type 91 Tank Machine Gun (a Type 11 LMG modified to be a tank mounted).
Type 91 Light Machine Gun, the vehicle mounted version of the Type 11, in tank mount - 6.5x50mm Arisaka
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Type 94 tankette fires a Type 91 tank machine gun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese Type 94 tankette advances.
Grenades
Type 67 stick grenade
The Type 67 stick grenade is used by Chinese Nationalist soldiers, including Major Li (Dawei Tong ).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 67 High-Explosive Fragmentation stick grenade.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Several Type 67 stick grenades on the ground.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Numerous Type 67 stick grenades on a Chinese soldier's back.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Type 67 stick grenade is seen.
Type 97 hand grenade
Japanese soldiers use Type 97 hand grenades .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 97 hand grenade.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier about to throw his grenades, bundled together for increased explosive force.