Tombstone

Tombstone Movie Poster Country United States Directed by George P. Cosmatos Release Date 1993 Language English Spanish Studio Hollywood Pictures Cinergi Pictures Distributor Buena Vista Pictures Main Cast Character Actor Wyatt Earp Kurt Russell Doc Holliday Val Kilmer Virgil Earp Sam Elliott Morgan Earp Bill Paxton "Curly Bill" Brocius Powers Boothe Johnny Ringo Michael Biehn Ike Clanton Stephen Lang Sherman McMaster Michael Rooker Billy Clanton Thomas Haden Church Sheriff Behan Jon Tenney

Tombstone is a 1993 Western that concentrates on the events leading up to the infamous shootout between the Earps and the Clantons at the O.K. Corral. The film was directed by George P. Cosmatos and starred Kurt Russell as the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp. The cast also included Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, and Bill Paxton. Tombstone was released only six months prior to Wyatt Earp, a rival Western that starred Kevin Costner as the lawman. Peter Sherayko, who portrayed Vermillion in the film, is a film armorer and expert on guns of the Old West and was responsible for providing the majority of the firearms for this production.

The following weapons were used in the film Tombstone:

Handguns

Single Action Army

As with many Westerns, the Single Action Army is the most commonly seen gun in the film, in the hands (or holsters) of nearly every major and minor character.

Single Action Army Quickdraw Model (4.75" barrel)

Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn) carries a nickel Quickdraw model. Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) also has a nickel Quickdraw, which he carries in addition to his Colt Lightning.

Colt Single Action Army w/ 4.75" barrel, referred to as "Quick-Draw" or "Civilian" model.

Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) draws his SAA Quickdraw and Colt Lightning.

Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn) holds his SAA on Doc before executing a number of spins to impress the bar patrons.

Doc Holliday holds his SAA and Lightning on Billy Clanton when Billy tells him he's probably seeing double due to his drunkenness with Doc quickly retorting, "I got two guns, one for each of you".

Doc Holliday fans his SAA during the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Doc with his nickel Quickdraw during the Iron Springs gunfight.

A close-up of a nickel Quickdraw (but in the subsequent shot, Wyatt Earp is seen firing a Buntline Special).

Single Action Army Artillery Model (5.5" barrel)

"Texas Jack" Vermillion (Peter Sherayko), Tombstone marshal Fred White (Harry Carey, Jr.), and McMasters (Michael Rooker) each carry Artillery Models with 5.5" barrels.

Colt Single Action Army w/ 5.5" barrel known as the "Artillery" model - .45 Long Colt

Vermillion (Peter Sherayko) with his SAA drawn. Peter Sherayko is a film armorer, actor, author as well as an authority on the guns of the Old West and was responsible for providing the majority of the guns for this production.

Fred White (Harry Carey, Jr.) attempts to arrest Curly Bill with his Artillery SAA.

Single Action Army Cavalry Model (7.5" barrel)

Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) often carries a Cavalry Model in addition to his Buntline Special. Morgan Earp (Bill Paxton) has a Cavalry SAA as his primary weapon, as do "Curly Bill" Brocius (Powers Boothe) (who carries two) and his Cowboy gang. Cochise County Sheriff Johnny Behan (Jon Tenney) also has a Cavalry Model, which Ike Clanton borrows during the O.K. Corral gunfight. Johnny Tyler (Billy Bob Thornton) is disarmed of his by Wyatt when the latter replaces him as faro dealer, with Wyatt tossing the revolver to the bartender as a "keepsake" to keep above the bar. Billy Clanton (Thomas Haden Church) draws his during the O.K. Corral confrontation to begin the gunfight. Barnes (John Corbett) fires one into the air during the Henry V speech, causing the other Cowboys to fire theirs into the air at the speech's conclusion.

Colt Single Action Army w/ 7.5" barrel known as the "Cavalry" model.

Cowboy Frank Stillwell (Tomas Arana) fires his Cavalry SAA.

Cowboy Frank McLaury (Robert John Burke) draws his SAA during the O.K. Corral gunfight.

Morgan Earp (Bill Paxton) fires his Cavalry SAA.

"Curly Bill" (Powers Boothe) at Iron Springs with his Cavalry SAA drawn.

Colt Buntline Special (EMF/Uberti replica)

Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) carries a Colt Buntline Special that appears to have been crafted especially for him in 1878 due to his service in Dodge City. In actuality, the Buntline Special in the film is one of three EMF/Uberti replicas custom made for Tombstone. Although the legendary Buntline Special is often associated with Wyatt Earp, he was documented in the Judge Spicer hearings as using his Smith & Wesson Model 3 Russian during the O.K. Corral gunfight.

EMF/Uberti Buntline Special used by Kurt Russell in the film Tombstone. Due to the fact that current production Colt Buntlines are only available in 12" barrels, the film's armorer contacted EMF/Uberti to have three custom Buntlines made for Tombstone. From the personal collection of the film's armorer Peter Sherayko.

When Wyatt opens his drawer to prepare for the O.K. Corral gunfight, he looks at the custom grips.

Wyatt draws his Buntline Special during the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Wyatt, Buntline in hand, shouts to Doc that Ike is behind him.

Wyatt shoots a man in the mouth during his vendetta.

Wyatt fires his Buntline at Iron Springs.

Wyatt fires his Buntline while riding against the Cowboys.

Colt Lightning

Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) keeps a nickel Colt Lightning as a second sidearm, in addition to his Quickdraw SAA. Note the bird's head grip.

Colt Lightning (.38 Long Colt) similar to the .41 caliber Thunderer used by Val Kilmer in Tombstone.

Doc places his SAA and Lightning on the card table, telling Ed Bailey (Frank Stallone) they could be "friends" again.

Doc fires his SAA and Lightning during the O.K. Corral gunfight.

Webley British Bulldog

Kate (Joanna Pacula), Doc Holliday's girlfriend, carries a Webley British Bulldog, drawing it on a saloon keeper when Doc stabs Ed Bailey.

Webley Bulldog - .32 caliber.

Kate (Joanna Pacula) draws her Bulldog on the saloon keeper when he reaches for a shotgun.

Kate (Joanna Pacula) aims her Bulldog at the other saloon patrons.

Colt 1878 Double Action

Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) uses a Colt 1878 Double Action revolver when apprehending Curly Bill after the Fred White shooting.

Colt 1878 w/ 7.5" barrel

Wyatt (Kurt Russell) prepares to arrest Curly Bill with a nickel Colt 1878 double action held on Ike Clanton to keep him away.

Ike Clanton stares at Wyatt's 1878 Colt D.A..

Smith & Wesson New Model No.3

Virgil Earp (Sam Elliott) carries a Smith & Wesson New Model No.3 with a nickel finish and pearl grips. Wyatt seems to carry this revolver in his holster when he is out riding his horse, giving it back to Virgil when talking to him about his choice to serve as City Marshal. The Schofield has a rounded rear grip frame whereas the New Model 3 has a "knuckle." The knuckle can clearly be seen in the publicity photos from "Tombstone."

Smith & Wesson Model No. 3

On the left, Virgil Earp (Sam Elliott) stands with his Schofield in his holster when the Earps talk to Fred White.

As Wyatt dismounts his horse, the pearl revolver grip is seen in his holster.

Another shot of the S&W holstered.

As Wyatt approaches Virgil, the grip is clearly seen at his side.

Remington 1875

When Behan is attempting to tell the Earps about Tombstone's positive image, "Turkey Creek" Jack Johnson (Buck Taylor) shoots a man in the background with a Remington 1875. Doc Holliday then sarcastically notes that the city is "very cosmopolitan".

Remington 1875 - .45 Long Colt.

Jack Johnson (Buck Taylor) with a Remington 1875.

Shotguns

12 Gauge Double-barreled Side-by-Side Shotgun

Billy Clanton (Thomas Haden Church) loads a 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun during the film's opening shootout with the Cowboys. Several others can be seen throughout the film, used primarily by other Cowboys such as Florentino Cruz (Paul Ben-Victor) in Tombstone, Ike Clanton (Stephen Lang) at the train station and "Curly Bill" Brocius (Powers Boothe) during the Iron Springs shootout. Sherm McMasters (Michael Rooker) also carries a 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun as he arrives at the train depot with Doc Holliday, Texas Jack, and Turkey Creek Johnson.

Charles Parker 1878 Side by Side Shotgun - 12 Gauge. The Parker Gun Company was absorbed into Remington in 1934.

Billy (Thomas Haden Church) loads up his shotgun before going into battle.

Cruz (Paul Ben-Victor) fires his shotgun inside the Earps' house in Tombstone.

Sherm McMasters (Michael Rooker on the left) holds the shotgun as the posse arrives to assist Wyatt.

Meteor 10 gauge side-by-side shotgun

Johnny "Madcap" Tyler (Billy Bob Thornton), the faro dealer, approaches Wyatt with a Belgian-made Meteor 10-gauge side-by-side shotgun, which Virgil Earp (Sam Elliott) picks up and uses after Johnny puts it down. Morgan Earp (Bill Paxton) also is seen carrying it. Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) uses the sawed-off 10-gauge as his backup gun, hidden underneath the faro table at the Oriental, when Johnny Ringo harasses Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer). Doc himself carries one into the O.K. Corral during the confrontation, as the true Doc Holliday had in 1881. Doc's real-life personal shotgun was a 10 gauge Colt double.

Belgian made 10 gauge Meteor used by Val Kilmer in the film Tombstone. From the personal collection of the film's armorer Peter Sherayko.

Johnny Tyler (Billy Bob Thornton) aims the shotgun.

Wyatt prepares to shoot Johnny Ringo if he has to.

Morgan holds his shotgun on the Cowboys.

Virgil aims the shotgun at the Cowboys.

Doc with the shotgun during the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Doc fires the 10-gauge.

Stevens 10 gauge side-by-side shotgun

Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) carries a three-triggered Stevens 10-Gauge shotgun during his vendetta ride, notably using it to kill Frank Stilwell (Tomas Arana) at the train depot and "Curly Bill" Brocius at Iron Springs.

Stevens 10 Gauge side-by-side used by Kurt Russell in the film Tombstone. From the personal collection of the film's armorer Peter Sherayko.

Wyatt Earp with his shotgun when confronting Frank Stilwell at the train station.

Wyatt approaches Stilwell and Ike armed with the shotgun.

Wyatt holds his shotgun while he intimidates Ike before cutting him with his spur.

Closeup of Wyatt reloading his shotgun during the Iron Springs gunfight.

Wyatt with the shotgun as he prepares to face Curly Bill Brocius. The three triggers are readily visible here.

Rifles & Carbines

Winchester Model 1873

The Winchester Model 1873 is the rifle of choice for several Cowboys, among them Ike Clanton (Stephen Lang).

The 1873 "Short Rifle" model with octagon barrel

Ike Clanton (Stephen Lang) prepares a Model '73 during the opening shootout.

Ike Clanton (Stephen Lang) fires his Winchester '73.

A Mexican priest looks at the Winchester in Ike's hand.

Ike Clanton with his Winchester '73 before being "cold-cocked" and arrested by Virgil (Sam Elliott).

Brocius's Cowboys fire at Earp's men at Iron Springs.

Winchester Model 1876

Several Cowboys use Winchester Model 1876 rifles during the film, including Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn) and Breckenridge (Jason Priestley). Of Earp's men, Sherm McMasters (Michael Rooker) and "Texas Jack" Vermillion (Peter Sherayko) also carry Winchester '76 rifles. According to Sherayko, who was also the film's armorer, there were five Winchester Model 1876 rifles, chambered in .45-60, used in the film.

Winchester Model 1876 rifle similar to the one used in Tombstone.

McMasters (Michael Rooker) ducks with his Winchester '76.

Kentucky Flintlock Rifle

When Virgil, as Deputy Marshal, posts the notice banning the carry of guns within the town of Tombstone, a man can be seen holding what appears to be a Kentucky Flintlock Rifle in protest.

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

A Tombstone man raises his flintlock in protest of Virgil's new law.

Whitney Kennedy rifle

"Texas Jack" Vermillion (Peter Sherayko) and "Turkey Creek" Jack Johnson (Buck Taylor) carry a .44-40 Whitney Kennedy rifle during the "Vendetta" ride.

Whitney Kennedy .44-40 carried by Peter Sherayko in the film Tombstone. From the personal collection of the film's armorer Peter Sherayko.

"Texas Jack" Vermillion (Peter Sherayko on the far right) holds the rifle as the posse arrives to assist Wyatt.

Turkey Creek (Buck Taylor) holds the rifle as he and Doc are seen during a killing.