55 Days at Peking

55 Days at Peing Cinema poster Country United States Directed by Nicholas Ray Guy Green Andrew Marton Release Date 1963 Language English Studio Samuel Bronston Productions Distributor Allied Artists Pictures Main Cast Character Actor Maj. Matt Lewis Charlton Heston Baroness Natalie Ivanoff Ava Gardner Sir Arthur Robertson David Niven Sgt. Harry John Ireland Father de Bearn Harry Andrews Capt. Andy Marshall Jerome Thor Capt. Hoffman Walter Gotell Julliard Philippe Leroy Gen. Jung-Lu Leo Genn Dowager Empress Tzu-Hsi Flora Robson

55 Days at Peking is a 1963 historical epic directed by Nicholas Ray. The all star cast includes Charlton Heston as Maj. Matt Lewis and David Niven as Sir Arthur Robertson and Ava Gardner as Baroness Natalie Ivanoff. The story is a dramatization of the siege and defense of the foreign legation's compounds in Peking during the 1900 Boxer Rebellion.

The following weapons are seen in the movie 55 Days at Peking:

Revolvers

Smith & Wesson Model 10

European army officers in the film are seen mostly with Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolvers.

Smith & Wesson Model M&P Revolver with long barrel and Gold Medallion grips - .38 Special

Maj. Matt Lewis (Charlton Heston) used his revolver during the fight.

Julliard (Philippe Leroy) (left) with his revolver in hand.

Capt. Hoffman (Walter Gotell) (right) with a revolver.

Enfield Mk II Revolver

Sir Arthur Robertson (David Niven) uses a Enfield Mk II revolver.

Enfield Mk II revolver - .476 Enfield

Sir Robertson disguised as a "boxer" has a gun tucked in his belt.

Type 26 Revolver

Japanese Type 26 Revolver is also seen.

Japanese Type 26 Revolver - 9mmJR

A "boxer" holds Type 26 revolver.

Rifles

Lee-Enfield Mk.I Rifle

Lee-Enfield Mk.I rifles is the main weapon of the British and American troops. In reality the US troops carried the M1895 Lee Navy rifle during this incident.

Lee-Enfield Mk.I - .303 British. In service between 1896-1907.

Maj. Lewis (Charlton Heston) and Sir Robertson (David Niven) taking a rest against the wall of the diplomatic quarter. In the background you can see the rifle.

Capt. Andy Marshall (Jerome Thor) helps his men, armed with Lee-Enfield rifles, push a mobile barrier.

Sgt. Harry (John Ireland) (3rd from left) carries his rifle on his shoulder.

Mauser Gewehr 1898

German soldiers and also some of the "Boxers" are armed a Mauser Gewehr 1898 rifles.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

German soldiers led by Capt. Hoffman (Walter Gotell) fire their rifles.

Chinese Boxer aims his gun at Maj. Lewis.

An American sailor with what appears to be a captured Gewehr 98.

Lebel Mle 1886

French troops use Lebel 1886 rifles.

Lebel Model 1886 Rifle - 8x50Rmm

French troops fire their Lebels.

Spanish Mauser 1893

Some Eight-Nation Alliance soldiers use 1893 Spanish Mauser rifles.

1893 Spanish Mauser - 7x57mm Mauser

Arisaka Rifle

Chinese troops use Japanese Arisaka Rifles.

Arisaka Type 38 Carbine - 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka

Chinese fired at the gate of the embassy from Arisaka Rifle (right) and Trapdoor Springfield Rifle (left).

Trapdoor Springfield Rifle

Chinese "Boxers" including Milton Reid are equipped with Trapdoor Springfield Rifles.

Replica Springfield Model 1873 "Trapdoor Springfield" built by Uberti Arms - .45-70

Replica Springfield Model 1873 Cavalry Carbine "Trapdoor Springfield" built by Uberti Arms - .45-70

Boxers taking aim. Milton Reid is in the middle.

Machine Gun

Vickers Machine Gun

At one point during the battle it appears the the U.S. Marines use a Vickers MK1 Machine Gun mocked up to look like an 1895 Maxim Machine Gun. Note the tripod that the machine gun is mounted on.

Vickers Mk1 Machine Gun - .303 British

Maxim 1895 on tripod - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Sideview of the MG. Judging by how the MG behaves during this shot, it is most likely a flame shooting prop rather than blanks. This was most likely done due to safety reasons as the gun is pointed straight at the extras.

Artillery

Homemade Cannon

The Foreign Legation defenders builds a cannon from various parts and gave name "Betsy".

Krupp 7.5 cm Model 1903

The Chinese Imperial army deploys Krupp 7.5 cm Model 1903 cannon against the defenders.

The heavy siege cannon

The Chinese heavy siege cannon with a barrel in the shape of a dragon's head damages the walls of the diplomatic quarter.