The Alamo (2004)

The Alamo (2004)

The Alamo was the 2004 film based on the historical 13 day siege of the Alamo Mission in what is modern day San Antonio, Texas. The battle of 1836 was a pivotal one in the Texas Revolution (in which Texas declared itself an independent Republic and kicked out governmental influences from Mexico). Despite the fact the the Mexican Army was fighting the Republic of Texas, most people confuse this campaign with the larger Mexican American War of the 1840s.

The following firearms were used in the film:

Kentucky Flintlock Rifle

Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton) most notably uses a Kentucky/Pennsylvania long rifle during his attempted shot at Santa Anna (Emilio Echevarría) but he misses due to the wind. Though many people think that Kentucky long rifles were the norm, nearly all of the defenders carried a mish mash of whatever weapon was available.

Kentucky Rifle - .50, .45, or .36 caliber.

Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton) rests with his Kentucky rifle.

Model 1766 French Charleville Infantry Musket

This surplus French gun was commonly used by the defenders of the Alamo. The Charleville went through a series of modifications since it's first inception and all variants found their way to America somehow, however, it is difficult to see which year pattern is being used in the film, since there are no closeups of the pan & frizzen side of the gun. For the sake of historical accuracy, the Model 1766 French Charleville Infantry Musket was the most common Charleville seen at the siege.

Charleville Musket - 69 caliber

An Alamo Defender fires a Charleville 1766.

Micajah Autry (Kevin Page) fires his Charleville 1766.

Flintlock Pistol

Gen. Sam Houston (Dennis Quaid) and Lt. Col. William B. Travis (Patrick Wilson) keep Flintlock pistols as their sidearms. Col. James Bowie (Jason Patric) is given two flintlock pistols when he is too sick and stuck in bed.

Flintlock Pistol

Double Barreled Flintlock Shotgun

Lt. Col. William B. Travis (Patrick Wilson) and Col. James Bowie (Jason Patric) each carry Double Barreled Flintlock shotguns throughout the film. They are mostly seen strapped on their backs but Travis is seen most clearly when he shoots a charging Mexican soldier coming at Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton). Jim Bowie assembles his shotgun during the final battle of the Alamo, he uses it to shoot the Mexican soldiers coming in before they bayonet him.

Lt. Col. Travis (Patrick Wilson) fires his Double barreled flintlock shotgun.

Brown Bess Flintlock Musket

The Mexican Army under the command of General Santa Anna use Brown Bess smoothbore .75 caliber muskets, which was the standard issue long gun of the Mexican Army of the time.

Brown Bess Flintlock Musket - .78 caliber.

British Baker .61 Cal Rifle

Cavalry Musketoon

Short barreled muskets aka musketoons were seen carried by cavalry soldiers, most evidently by Sam Houston's horsemen.

1795 Springfield Flintlock Infantry Musket

Springfield Model 1795

Seen are some vintage 1795 Springfield muskets (from the War of 1812) used as secondary weapons.