The Sand Pebbles

The following firearms can be viewed in The Sand Pebbles (1966):

The Sand Pebbles (1966)

Star Model B

This pistol is supposed to be a Colt 1911, however, it is actually a Star Model B. Note the external extractor, and the absence of a grip safety. The Star Model B fills in as the Colt 1911A1 throughout the movie.

Star Model B

One of the San Pablo's petty officers with a cutlass and a Star Model B during the repel boarders drill. Note that Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) is readying a hose. The hose shoots super heated steam from the ships boiler. An interesting and effective device at close range.

One of the petty officers with his Star Model B during the battle on the Yangtze River. Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) is behind him with his Browning Automatic Rifle.

LT Collins (Richard Crenna)in action during the battle on the Yangtze River with his Star Model B.

LT Collins (Richard Crenna) with his Star Model B during the rescue of the American missionaries.

Springfield Model 1903 Rifle

Holman (Steve McQueen)and many other U.S. Navy sailors are seen using the M1903 Springfield Mk. 1 rifle.

Springfield M1903 Mk 1 - .30-06

Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) adjusting the sights on a M1903. A publicity still.

The San Pablo crew conducting the repel boarders drill.

Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) and Frenchy Burgoyne (Richard Attenborough) carrying M1903 Springfield Rifles. The shore party is led by Ensign Bordelles (Charles Robinson).

Holman (Steve McQueen) adjusting the sights on his M1903 Springfield. He is preparing to mercy kill one of the ships Chinese laborers who was caught on shore by revolutionaries and is now being tortured to death.

Holman (Steve McQueen) takes aim.

Browning Automatic Rifle

The Browning Automatic Rifle is used by different characters throughout the movie but most memorably by Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) during the battle with the Chinese revolutionaries on the Yangtze River and LT Collins (Richard Crenna) during the rescue of the American missionaries. The A2-style flash hider is anachronistic.

Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06

Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) readies his Browning Automatic Rifle at the beginning of the battle on the Yangzte River.

Holman (Steve McQueen) and his boarding party attack the Chinese on one of the junks blocking the river.

LT Collins (Richard Crenna) prepares to sacrifice himself so that the shore party can get away with the sole surviving American missionary played by Candice Bergen.

LT Collins (Richard Crenna) in action.

Lewis Gun

The Lewis Gun is used on the U.S. Navy gunboat USS San Pablo. The Lewis gun was used by the U.S. Navy and United States Marines during the years between the two world wars. The American version was chambered for 30-06 however and not British .303.

Lewis gun

Seaman Crosley (Gavin MacLeod) mans the Lewis Gun on the command deck while Ensign Bordelles (Charles Robinson) and LT Collins (Richard Crenna) watch the revolutionaries torture one of the ship's Chinese laborers on shore. The doomed laborer is played by Mako.

LT Collins (Richard Crenna) takes over the Lewis Gun when Crosley (Gavin MacLeod) refuses to fire a warning burst at Chinese protesters, who are demanding that Holman (Steve McQueen) be turned over for trial by the revolutionaries.

The Lewis Gun in action during the battle on the Yangtze River. Note that it has been removed from it's mount and is being used as a squad automatic weapon.

3"/23 caliber gun

The deck gun on the San Pablo is a 3"/23 caliber gun.

Black Powder Deck Gun

The Chinese revolutionaries also have a deck gun on one of the junks and it is used against the San Pablo during the battle on the Yangtze River. It appears to be an old blackpowder smoothbore cannon. Possibly an old 12 pounder Napoleon.