Tecumseh

Tecumseh Original German Poster Country East Germany Directed by Hans Kratzert Release Date 1972 Language German Studio DEFA Main Cast Character Actor Tecumseh Gojko Mitic Eileen McKew Annekathrin Bürger Simon McKew Rolf Römer McKew Leon Niemczyk Colonel Procter Helmut Schreiber General Brook Mieczyslaw Kalenik Governor William Harrison Wolfgang Greese Raffael Milan Beli

Tecumseh is a 1972 East German historical adventure movie, loosely based on the life of Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief who became the leader of multi-tribal confederacy in the early 19th century and formed an alliance with Great Britain in the Second War for American Independence 1812.

The following weapons were used in the film Tecumseh:

Pistols

Flintlock Pistol

Flintlock Pistols are used by various characters, including US Col. Simon McKew (Rolf Römer), and British Col. Procter (Helmut Schreiber) and Gen. Brook (Mieczyslaw Kalenik). Only a single prop is seen "firing" by pyrotechnical charges, as the hammer of this pistol doesn't move. Note: see additional images on talk page.

A number of flintlock and percussion cap pistols on the wall in Judge McKew's house.

Simon McKew carries a flintlock pistol.

McKew fires his pistol. The hammer doesn't move.

Scout Sam (Hannes Schönemann) carries a flintlock pistol.

Col. Procter (in center) carries a pistol.

Wounded McKew takes a pair of pistols from his father's gun collection.

Flintlock "Knee Pistol"

A flintlock pistol with small buttstock is seen on the wall in Judge McKew's house. It appears to be a so-called "Knee Pistol", especially popular in Ottoman Empire, on Balkans and in North Africa.

Flintlock Knee Pistol, 17th century, Tunisia - 45mm (1.77 inch)

A flintlock "Knee Pistol" is seen in center.

Chatellerault Cavalry Model 1822 Percussion Cap Pistol

Chatellerault Cavalry Model 1822 Percussion Pistols, out of time for 1812, are widely used throughout the movie. They are seen in hands of Tecumseh (Gojko Mitic) and several of his warriors, US Col. Simon McKew (Rolf Römer), settlers and trappers.

Note: see additional images on talk page.

Chatellerault Model 1822 T Percussion Cavalry Pistol - .69 cal

A settler at the right holds a pistol during the confrontation in the fort.

Patterson (Winfried Glatzeder) and other settlers aims their pistols at Indians.

Canadian trapper Raffael (Milan Beli) carries a percussion cap pistol.

Black Eagle with a pistol.

Tecumseh, dressed in British uniform, and Black Eagle (Minja Vojvodic) hold pistols.

Tecumseh fires.

McKew fires.

Tecumseh fires. The hammer of his pistol is seen moving.

Augustin Model 1851

What appears to be an Augustin Model 1851 percussion cap pistol is seen on the wall in Judge McKew's house.

Kavalleriepistole M. 1851 - 17.1 mm

A number of flintlock and percussion cap pistols on the wall in Judge McKew's house. The pistol on top right appears to be an Augustin.

Muskets

Charleville Model 1786 Hussar Carbine

A flintlock carbine, used by Tecumseh (Gojko Mitic) and several of his warriors, appears to be a Charleville Model 1786 Hussar Carbine, most likely a modern replica. Same gun is seen in another DEFA production, Osceola (1971).

Model 1786 Hussar Carbine (modern Pedersoli "Ussaro Mod 1786" replica) - .69 caliber

Tecumseh holds the carbine.

Merchant Newman (Gerry Wolff) sells a carbine to an Indian.

One of Tecumseh's warriors holds a carbine.

An Indian warrior on horseback (at the left) holds a carbine.

Flintlock Musket

Many Flintlock Muskets in the movie resemble British "Brown Bess", a standard flintlock musket of the British Army of late 18th - early 19th century. It's hard to say if these muskets are genuine or more modern replicas.

Note: see additional images on talk page.

Brown Bess Infantry musket from 1722-1768 - .78 caliber.

Tecumseh holds a musket.

Simon McKew's musket.

Black Eagle (Minja Vojvodic) (at the left side of Tecumseh) holds a musket during the negotiations with Governor Harrison. Other Indian warriors holds muskets at the background.

An American soldier aims his musket.

An Indian fires at American Gen. Harrison.

One of Tecumseh's warriors holds a musket during the night attack on American fort.

British soldiers aim their muskets.

Capt. Barry (Rolf Ripperger) breaks a window with the buttstock of his musket.

The flintlock of Barry's musket is seen.

Flintlock Carbine

Some short flintlock carbines are also seen.

Several flintlock carbines of various models are seen on the wall in Judge McKew's house. Two short carbines at the bottom row resemble cavalry rifled carbines, popular in German, Austrian and Russian armies of Napoleonic era.

"Berselli Repeating Musket" (mockup)

An unusual gun appears in several scenes. It is called "Berselli" and generally follows the outlook of breech-loading repeating flintlock system, designed by Giacomo Berselli of Bologna in 1660-1670s. Berselli system had a rotating breech accessing separate ball and powder magazines contained in the butt and operated by a lever on the left side. The movie prop is likely based on a Schuetzen rifle, fitted with a fake breech with lever. All this system is working similar to real Berselli, but of course this gun doesn't fire on screen. According to the story, Simon McKew owned this gun, then gifted it to Tecumseh. After the latter returned the gift to McKew, Simon gave the gun to his sister Eileen (Annekathrin Bürger).

Note: see additional images on talk page.

Simon McKew operates the "Berselli", moving the lever.

The "Berselli" in hands of Tecumseh. Note that the flintlock moves but there is no flint in jaws.

Simon McKew gifts the gun to Tecumseh.

The gun in hands of Eileen McKew.

A close view of the barrel with inlay on the muzzle.

Rifles

Mosin Nagant M1891/30 (visually modified as Charleville musket)

Mosin Nagant M1891/30 rifles, mocked up to resemble Charleville Muskets, are widely used by Indian warriors, US and British soldiers and settlers. Col. Simon McKew (Rolf Römer) fires a mocked up M91/30 during the battle for the fort.

Note: see additional images on talk page.

Mosin Nagant M1891/30 - 7.62x54mm R

Charleville Musket - .69 caliber

Indian warriors, soldiers and a trapper with fake muskets during the confrontation with settlers in the fort.

Settlers with fake muskets during the conftontation in the fort.

One of the bandits, attacking Eileen McKew's wagon, aims a fake musket.

American soldiers fire at attacking Indians.

Indian warriors in attack. Some rifles have their magazines removed.

British soldiers with fake muskets. The bayonets are attached backwards.

One of Tecumseh's warriors fires a fake musket.

Simon McKew with a fake musket.

Simon McKew fires at Gen. Brook who raises the British flag over the fort.

Trivia

Artillery

Field artillery pieces of Napoleonic era are used by British and American troops. When in action, these guns recoil a very naturally way, which is very rarely seen on screen muzzleloading cannons. Carriages, limbers and caissons also look very authentic.

French Gribeauval 12-Pounder Cannon

American cannons deployed against Indians.

Col. McKew fires a cannon.

A closeup of the muzzle.

American cannons in action.

British cannons on battlefield.

British cannons in action.