Appaloosa

The following guns were used in the film Appaloosa:

Appaloosa (2008) (note that the cylinder notches on Ed Harris' Single Action Army are larger than on an actual version, indicating it is a replica non-firing model)

Steve Karnes 1878 Shotgun

Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) carries an 8 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun in the film, refered to only as "The 8 Gauge" in the dialogue. To handle the vicious recoil of the massive weapon, Everett has a leather pad build into the shoulder of his coat to help absorb it. Since the only existing 8 Gauges today are antiques and are unsafe or too expensive to fire, an ingenious alternative was made. Armorer and gunsmith Steve Karnes built three "8 Gauges" for Gibbons Ltd. out of reproduction Colt 1878 shotguns, two of which fired 12 Gauge blanks with 8 Gauge sleeves over the barrels to increase the bore diameter and hide its real caliber, while one was built to chamber 8 Gauge inert rounds for scenes in which the gun was loaded, as the size between 8 and 12 Gauge is far too different for no one to notice. To see more on the production of the shotguns, visit the SK 1878 shotgun page.

SK 1878 shotgun (non-firing version for loading scenes) - 8 Gauge.

Colt 1878 shotgun - 12 Gauge.

Everett kills the third gunman in the bar with his 8 Gauge, which unrealistically throws him back across the bar.

Everett loads his shotgun with two 8 Gauge shells in a small segment cut from the film. Note how he keeps the shells between his fingers, a method Viggo Mortensen was taught by his father. This is commented on in the audio commentary for A History of Violence, where you see him handle a side-by-side in a similair manner.

Everett closes his 8 Gauge.

Everett has his 8 Gauge rested on his shoulder while talking with Phil Olson (Timothy Spall).

Everett with his 8 Gauge rested on his shoulder.

Everett aims his 8 Gauge at Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) in his cell when his gang tries to bust him out of jail.

Everett aims his 8 Gauge shotgun at Bragg in a promotional image.

Everett aims his 8 Gauge at Ring Shelton (Lance Henriksen) and his gang from the train.

Everett with his 8 Gauge when confronting Shelton and his gang in front of the prison.

Close up on the triggers of the 8 Gauge during the credits.

The 8 Gauge and the ammunition belt during the credits.

Winchester 1866 "Yellow Boy"

Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) carries a Winchester 1866 "Yellow Boy" as his rifle in the film. Sheriff Clyde Stringer (Rex Linn) carries one while escorting Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) on the train. One of the Appaches is seen using one with tribal decorations as well.

Winchester 1866 "Yellow Boy" Saddle Ring Carbine - .44 RF.

A promotional image of Everett Hitch armed with his Winchester 1866 "Yellow Boy".

Everett holds back Bragg's gang with his Winchester 1866 "Yellow Boy".

Sheriff Stringer (right) with a Winchester 1866 "Yellow Boy".

An Apache wields a tribally decorated Winchester 1866 "Yellow Boy" while raiding Ring Shelton's (Lance Henriksen) camp.

Everett and Virgil shoot the Apache's pack horse with their Winchester rifles (Everett's a "Yellow Boy", Virgil's a Model 73) so they cannot steal Ring's supplies.

Everett confronts an Apache while armed with his Winchester "Yellow Boy".

Winchester 1873 "Short Rifle"

Both Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) and Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) carry Winchester 1873 "Short Rifles" with 20" Octagonal barrels.

Winchester 1873 "Short Rifle" with 20" octagonal barrel - .44-40.

Bragg shoots a deputy at the beginning of the film with his Winchester 1873 "Short Rifle".

Bragg then proceeds to shoot Marshall Jack Bell (Robert Jauregui) and his other deputy with his Winchester.

Virgil waits to arrest Bragg as he exits his outhouse, armed with his Winchester 1873. Note the octagonal barrel.

Virgil aims his Winchester 1873 at Ring Shelton (Lance Henriksen) and his gang from the train.

A good shot of the brass dropping block.

Virgil fires his Winchester 1873 at the Appache pack horse.

Virgil points with his Winchester 1873.

Bragg aiming his Winchester 1873 from the second floor of the jail house in a promotional image.

Single Action Army

Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) carries two Single Action Army revolvers in the film, his main being a 7 1/2" Cavalary model with Stag horn grips and his belt gun a 5" Artillery. Many other characters use them in the film as well.

Colt Single Action 7 1/2" Cavalary - .45 Long Colt.

Colt Single Action Army 5" Artillery - .45 Long Colt.

Virgil points his Single Action Army after dispatching two criminals in the bar.

Instead of holstering his Single Action Army after firing it like in most macho westerns, Virgil dumps out the empty shells (using the ejector rod, something few actors know exists) and reloads before putting it away.

"Colt makes a heavy firearm, that's a fact." Virgil remarks after knocking out a thug's tooth with the butt of his Single Action Army.

Virgil readies his Single Action Army before confronting Ring Shelton (Lance Henriksen) and his gang outside the prison. Also note his 5" Artillery in his belt.

Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) places a Nickel Cavalary Single Action Army on the bar counter before challenging Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) to a duel.

Bragg picks up and very professionally checks the Single Action Army to make sure he is given a loaded weapon.

The stag grips of Virgil's Single Action Army is seen during the end credits.

A disassembled Single Action Army during the credits.

Colt 1851 Navy with Richards-Mason Conversion

Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) carries a Colt 1851 Navy with a Richards-Mason Conversion as his sidearm in the film.

Colt 1851 Navy with Richards-Mason Conversion - .38 Long Colt.

Everett draws his Colt 1851 Navy with a Richards-Mason conversion when Bragg and his men enter the jail.

Everett fires his Colt 1851 after being wounded in front of the jail during the gunfight with Ring Shelton (Lance Henriksen) and his gang. Luckily both he and Virgil survive the encounter.

Everett reloads his Colt 1851 after the duel at the end of the film, and also shows he knows how to use the ejector rod.

Spencer 1860 Carbine

Charlie Tewksbury (Corby Griesenbeck) is seen aiming a Spencer 1860 Carbine from a window of the train.

Spencer 1860 Carbine - .56-56 RF.

Charlie Tewksbury aims his Spencer 1860 Carbine from the train window.