View source for Prairie Hunters in Mexico (Präriejäger in Mexiko)

{{Infobox Movie
|name = Prairie Hunters in Mexico<BR> (Präriejäger in Mexiko) 
|picture = Prariejager in Mexiko DVD.jpg
|caption = ''DVD Cover''
|country = [[Image:GDR.jpg|25px]] East Germany
|director = Hans Knötzsch
|date= 1988
|language = German
|studio=DEFA<BR>Fernsehen der DDR
|distributor=
|character1=Black Gérard
|actor1=[[Kolio Donchev]]
|character2=Vulture Beak
|actor2=[[Djoko Rosic]]
|character3=Bear Eye
|actor3=[[Gojko Mitic]]
|character4=Benito Juarez
|actor4=Helmut Schellhardt
|character5=Pablo Cortejo
|actor5=[[Leon Niemczyk]]
|character6=Josefa Cortejo
|actor6=Anna Maria Petrova
|character7=Little André
|actor7=[[Andreas Schmidt-Schaller]]
|character8=Lord Lindsay
|actor8=[[Heinz Schröder]]
|character9=Col. Lamarel
|actor9=[[Giso Weißbach]]
}}

'''''Prairie Hunters in Mexico''''' (''Präriejäger in Mexiko'') is a 1988 East German two-part made for TV Western ("Red Western") movie directed by Hans Knötzsch and based on several novels (notably "Waldroschen") by Karl May. The story is set in 1865-1867 during the French-Mexican war. Adventurers Black Gérard ([[Kolio Donchev]]) and Vulture Beak ([[Djoko Rosic]]), teaming with the chief of the Mixtec Indians Bear Eye ([[Gojko Mitic]]), help the Mexican leader Benito Juarez to get the transport of weapons and counter plans of Pablo Cortejo who wants to seize the power of President Juarez.

This is the last appearance of Gojko Mitic in DEFA Westerns, started in 1966 in ''[[The Sons of Great Bear]]'' (but not last his appearance in Western genre).

The movie was mostly filmed in USSR and Bulgaria that affects the choice of screen weapons. Most of screen guns doesn't match the time of French-Mexican war.

{{Film Title}}

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= Revolvers =
== Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian 3rd Model ==
Most revolvers in the movie are [[Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian Model]], 3rd Model (some appear to be of 2nd Model, see below).

''Note:'' see additional images on [[Talk:Prairie Hunters in Mexico (Präriejäger in Mexiko)#Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian Model|talk page]].
[[Image:S&w russian.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Smith & Wesson No 3 Russian Model - .44 Russian]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Settlers, stopped by Mexican bandits, surrender their revolvers. A revolver at the foreground seems to have longer barrel and can be 2nd Model while others are supposed to be 3rd Model.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-4.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A bandit draws his revolver.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-7.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Vulture Beak ([[Djoko Rosic]]) draws his revolver.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-8.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Vulture Beak hands his gun to Lord Lindsay ([[Heinz Schröder]]).]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-16.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Pablo Cortejo ([[Leon Niemczyk]]) holds a Smith & Wesson. It appears to be 3rd Model.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-17.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Pablo Cortejo holds a Smith & Wesson.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-19.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Little André ([[Andreas Schmidt-Schaller]]) holds his revolver during the liberation of Mexicans, sentenced to death.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-23.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Black Gérard takes the revolver from Porter and hands it back to Vulture Beak.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-24.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Cortejo fires his revolver.]]

== Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian 2rd Model ==
Some [[Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian Model|Smith & Wesson Russian Model]] revolvers seem to have longer barrel, like Russian 2nd Model.
[[Image:Smith-Wesson Russian Model 2nd Pattern.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Smith & Wesson No 3 Russian Model, 2nd Pattern - .44 Russian. 2nd Pattern has longer barrel (7 inch vs 6.5 inch on 3rd Pattern) and different front sight.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Settlers, stopped by Mexican bandits, surrender their revolvers. A revolver at the foreground seems to have longer barrel and can be 2nd Model.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-9.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Cortejo's henchman Passo ([[Jan Spitzer]]) holds a Smith & Wesson. This revolver seems to have longer barrel and can be 2nd Model.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-10.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Another view of Passo's Smith & Wesson.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-11.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The captain ([[Pedro Hebenstreit]]) of the steamer, delivering weapons, holds a Smith & Wesson. This revolver seems to have longer barrel and can be 2nd Model.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-12.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The captain fires at Cortejo's henchmen who try to board the ship.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-13.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Cortejo's henchman Lalo ([[Günter Schubert]]) holds a Smith & Wesson.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-14.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Another view of Lalo's revolver. It seems to have longer barrel and can be 2nd Model.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-20.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-21.jpg|thumb|none|500px|One of Cortejo's henchmen confronts Porter. This revolver seems to have longer barrel and can be 2nd Model.]]

== Smith & Wesson Model 3 ==
Some Smith & Wesson revolver of earlier [[Smith & Wesson Model 3|Model 3]] are also seen.
[[File:Smith & Wesson Model 3 Russian 1st Model.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Smith & Wesson Model 3 Russian 1st Model - .44 Russian. The original American Model is identical, only chambered for .44 S&W American.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-5.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A settler, survived after bandits' attack, hands a revolver to an aged man ([[Vsevolod Safonov]]). The revolver has wide grip and lacks the spur on trigger guard; possibly it's a Russian 1st Model.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWMod3-6.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Black Gérard ([[Kolio Donchev]]) disarms plainclothes French Captain ([[Roland Seidler]]) of a Smith & Wesson revolver (seen in Gérard's left hand; in right hand Gérard holds his own Warnant revolver (see below)).]]

== Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action ==
[[Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action]] revolvers (possibly a European produced version) are used by several characters, notably by Vulture Beak ([[Djoko Rosic]]). It appears to be a single prop, reused in several scenes.
[[Image:Sw44da.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action - .44 Russian]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWDA-1.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A Mexican bandit ([[Nartay Begalin]]) holds a revolver that appears to be a Smith & Wesson Double Action.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWDA-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A young settler holds the revolver of disarmed bandit.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWDA-3.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A French officer ([[Jörg Kleinau]]) holds a S&W Double Action revolver. In this scene it is seen that the revolver fires in DA mode.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWDA-4.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Vulture Beak, disguised as Lord Lindsay, holds a revolver.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWDA-5.jpg|thumb|none|500px|He carries the revolver tucked in his belt.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWDA-6.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Another view of the revolver.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWDA-7.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-SWDA-8.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Vulture Beak holds Lalo at gunpoint.]]

== Warnant Russian Model ==
Black Gérard's ([[Kolio Donchev]]) revolver, used in several scenes, appears to be a [[Warnant Revolvers|Warnant Russian Model]] revolver.
[[Image:Warnant Russian Model 0-44.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Warnant Russian Model - .44 Russian]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Revolver-1.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Revolver-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Black Gérard aims his revolver at plainclothes French Captain ([[Roland Seidler]]).]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Revolver-3.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Another view of Gérard's revolver.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Revolver-4.jpg|thumb|none|500px|French officer ([[Jörg Kleinau]]) carries the revolver, taken from arrested Gérard.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Revolver-5.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A good view of the revolver. Note the typical "hump" on the back of the frame that allows to differ this revolver from Smith & Wesson models.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Revolver-6.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Gérard carries the revolver in holster. The grip is seen.]]

== Chamelot-Delvigne Model 1873 ==
French Army Col. Lamarel ([[Giso Weißbach]]) carries a [[Chamelot-Delvigne Model 1873]] revolver. What appears to be same model is seen in holster of Mexican President Benito Juarez (Helmut Schellhardt).
[[File:Chamelot-Delvigne-Model-1873.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Chamelot-Delvigne Mle. 1873 (factory bare finish) - 11x17.8mmR]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-ChD73-1.jpg|thumb|none|500px|President Juarez carries a revolver in holster.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-ChD73-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Col. Lamarel (in center) carries a revolver in holster.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-ChD73-3.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Bear Eye ([[Gojko Mitic]]) with Lamarel's revolver.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-ChD73-5.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The smooth cylinder of the revolver is seen at the background.]]

== Webley Bulldog ==
A compact revolver of [[Webley Bulldog]] family is used by Josefa Cortejo ([[Anna Maria Petrova]]), the daughter of Pablo Cortejo. The revolver has folding trigger and while, possibly pearl grips.
[[Image:Bulldog-Folding-Trigger.jpg|thumb|none|300px|A Belgian version of Webley Bulldog with folding trigger - .320]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Bulldog-1.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Josefa aims a pocket revolver at Porter.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Bulldog-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Bulldog-3.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Treator Lalo shoots Josefa's revolver off her hand. The pearl grip and folding trigger can be seen.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Bulldog-4.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Josefa fires at Black Gérard.]]

= Rifles =
== Martini Action Schuetzen Rifle ==
In several scenes Black Gérard ([[Kolio Donchev]]), Bear Eye ([[Gojko Mitic]]) and some Indians, Mexican bandits and Juarez' men are armed with single shot [[Martini Schuetzen Rifle|Martini action ''Schuetzen'' rifles]], popular German target and hunting guns.

''Note:'' see additional images on [[Talk:Prairie Hunters in Mexico (Präriejäger in Mexiko)#Martini Action Schuetzen Rifle|talk page]].
[[File:Martini Action Schuetzen Rifle.jpg|thumb|none|400px|German manufactured Martini Action ''Schuetzen'' Rifle]]
[[File:Martini Stahl Schuetzen Rifle.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Martini-Stahl system ''Schuetzen'' Rifle - 8.15x46mm R]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Schuetzen-1.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A Mexican bandit is shot and drops his rifle. The lever matches Martini-Stahl system.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Schuetzen-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Bear Eye fires at bandits.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Schuetzen-4.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Black Gérard's rifle.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Schuetzen-7.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Schuetzen-8.jpg|thumb|none|500px|French Sergeant holds the rifle, taken from arrested Black Gérard.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Schuetzen-11.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Bear Eye with rifle.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Schuetzen-13.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Gérard with his rifle.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Schuetzen-14.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A Mixtec warrior holds a rifle. The lever looks different from other Schuetzen rifles, seen in the movie.]]

== Remington Rolling Block ==
[[Remington Rolling Block]] rifles are used by adventurer Jimmy Porter ([[Joachim Siebenschuh]]), an aged settler ([[Vsevolod Safonov]]) and crewmembers of Lord Lindsay's steamer. It is the ''least'' anachronistic firearm in the film, with production narrowly overlapping with the very end of the conflict.
[[Image:Remingtonrollingblock.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Remington Rolling Block Militarized - .45 caliber]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-RemingtonRB-1.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-RemingtonRB-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|An aged settler with Remington Rolling Block rifle.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-RemingtonRB-3.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A guard on steamer sleeps with his rifle at hand.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-RemingtonRB-4.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-RemingtonRB-5.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Steamer crewmember fires at Cortejo's henchmen, trying to board the ship.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-RemingtonRB-6.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-RemingtonRB-7.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Porter holds his rifle. It is seen in darkness but still can be identified as Rolling Block.]]

== Krnka M1869 ==
In one scene Mexicans of Juarez' army use rifles that appear to be [[Krnka M1869 Rifle|Krnka M1869]]. These antique rifles were used in Bulgaria as late as 1915, and some survived in film studio arsenals even in 1980s. A rifle that also is supposed to be Krnka is used by a crewmember on Lord Lindsay's steamer.
[[File:Russian Krnka Rifle.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Russian M1869 Krnka Rifle - 15,24x40mmR]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-6.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Crewmembers of Lord Lindsay's steamer fire at Cortejo's henchmen. A man at the right holds a supposed Krnka.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Krnka-1.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Mexicans hold rifles.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Krnka-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Krnka-3.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A firing squad prepares to execute French Col. Lamarel.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Krnka-4.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Krnka-5.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Closer view of a rifle. Note a high profile rear sight, a sign of Riflemen rifle (opposed to Infantry rifle that had flat rear sight).]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Krnka-6.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A barrel is seen.]]

== Chassepot M1866 ==
In several scenes Mexican and French soldiers carry rifles that appear to be [[Chassepot 1866]] ([[Gras Model 1874]] is also possible guess but some detailes allow to tend to Chassepot). Chassepot rifles were also used in Bulgaria, though not for such long time as Krnka. If it is indeed a Chassepot, it would actually be temporarily plausible for the final part of the conflict.
[[File:Chassepot rifle.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Chassepot Fusil modele 1866 - 11 mm]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-1.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Mexican soldiers of Juarez' army on guard. Their rifles are fitted with Yataghan bayonet, matching ones used with Chassepot rifles. The position of bottom rifle sling swivel on the buttstock also matches Chassepot.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-14.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A French soldier on guard carries Chassepot rifle.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-15.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The barrel is seen.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-16.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The guard readies his rifle.]]

== Mauser Gewehr 1871 ==
[[Mauser Gewehr 1871]] rifles are also seen in the movie. ''Jaeger'' short rifles are used by Little André ([[Andreas Schmidt-Schaller]]) and Bear Eye ([[Gojko Mitic]]) while full-length rifles are seen in hands of Little André, inn owner Pirnero ([[Hans Knötzsch]]) and his daughter Residella ([[Ulrike Mai]]).
[[Image:Mauser71.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Mauser Infanterie-Gewehr Modell 1871 - 11.15x60mmR Mauser]]
[[File:Mauser 1871 Jaeger.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Mauser Gewehr 1871 ''Jaeger'' - 11x60mmR]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-4.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-5.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Little André with full-length Mauser 1871.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-11.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Bear Eye hands a rifle to Little André.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-12.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Another view of the same scene. The finger rest is seen that is the typical feature of ''Jaeger'' model.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-13.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The rifle in hands of Little André.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-17.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Residella raises the rifle on Cortejo and his men. Note three barrel bands that match full-length Infantry rifle.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-18.jpg|thumb|none|500px|The rifle in hands of Pirnero.]]

== Unidentified rifles ==
One of Cortejo's henchmen is armed with a carbine that resembles short Mauser rifle, fitted with a brass top barrel band in style of 18th - early 19th century muskets.
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-7.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Cortejo's henchman holds a carbine.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-8.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A close view of the muzzle.]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-9.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-10.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Another view of the carbine.]]

In one scene a French soldier carries a rifle, fitted with bayonet that looks very similar to Russian models, issued for [[Krnka M1869 Rifle|Krnka]] and [[Berdan Rifle|Berdan]] rifles.
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-2.jpg|thumb|none|500px|]]
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-3.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A French soldier, escorting arrested Black Gérard, holds a rifle with Russian-style bayonet.]]

When crewmembers of Lord Lindsay's steamer fire at Cortejo's henchmen, an unidentified rifle is seen.
[[File:Prariejager in Mexiko-Rifle-6.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A man at the left holds an unidentified rifle. It resembles Remington Rolling Block but still appears to be some different model.]]

= See Also =
* ''[[Treasure of the Aztecs (Der Schatz der Azteken)]]'' and ''[[Pyramid of the Sun God (Die Pyramide des Sonnengottes)]]'', 1965 dilogy also based on the novel "Waldroschen"

{{DEFA Studio Westerns}}

[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Western Movie]]
[[Category:German Produced/Filmed]]