Eye of the Needle

Eye of the Needle (1981) (Note that Kate is holding what appears to be a Colt Detective Special on the poster in place of a Webley Mk VI.)

Eye of the Needle is the 1981 feature film adaptation of Ken Follett's 1978 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Richard Marquand (Jagged Edge) and stars Donald Sutherland and Kate Nelligan. To date, is it the only feature film adaptation of a Ken Follett novel, as all other adaptations of his work have been in the form of television miniseries. The success of the film brought director Richard Marquand to the attention of George Lucas, who hired Marquand to direct the third installment of the Star Wars trilogy, Return of the Jedi.

The following weapons were used in the film Eye of the Needle:

Handguns

Webley Mk VI

David Rose (Christopher Cazenove) owns a Webley Mk VI, which he is seen cleaning. His wife Lucy (Kate Nelligan) later uses it.

Webley Mk. VI - .455 Webley

David cleaning his Webley Mk VI.

From the size of the chambers, this is clearly chambered in .455.

Lucy loads the Webley.

Lucy tries to aim the Webley.

Lucy fires.

Webley Mk IV

Inspector Godliman (Ian Bannen) appears to carry a Webley Mk IV as his service weapon.

Webley Mk IV - .38 S&W

A brief view of Inspector Godliman's Webley.

Godliman with his Webley.

Enfield No.2

The Home Guard Captain (John Paul) is armed with a Enfield No.2.

Enfield No.2 Mk.1* - .38 S&W

The Captain tries to draw his Enfield. Note the bobbed hammer.

The Captain, now played by a stuntman, falls backward with his Enfield in hand.

Submachine Guns

Sten Mk III

One of Godliman's men is briefly seen with what appears to be a Sten Mk III.

Sten Mk III - 9x19mm

The Sten circled. Note the helicopter, which is supposed to be a Sikorsky R-5, but is more likely the Westland Dragonfly, a licensed British copy. Either way, its presence is an anachronism, as the first prototypes weren't delivered to the US Army Air Force until months after this film was set.

Shotguns

Double Barreled Shotgun

David also has a Double Barreled Shotgun, which Henry Faber, aka, "the Needle" (Donald Sutherland) later gets ahold of. Lucy and the Needle also get ahold of Tom's (Alex McCrindle) shotgun later in the film.

Charles Parker 1878 Side by Side Shotgun - 12 Gauge

David with his shotgun.

The Needle with David's shotgun.

Lucy opens up Tom's shotgun.

Rifles

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III*

British troops are armed with Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III*. The Home Guard Corporal (Stephen Phillips) is also armed with one.

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* - .303 British

British troops with Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.IIIs in 1940. This is correct, as the No. 4 wasn't adopted until the next year.

The Home Guard Corporal with his SMLE. Although this scene takes place in 1944, the Home Guard ("Dad's Army") often received surplus equipment.

Gewehr 98

A German guard is seem armed with a Gewehr 98 rifle.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Note the overall length and the distinctive Lange-Visier rear sight.

Other

Bofors 40mm

Several Bofors 40mm guns are seen in the opening scene at the railroad station.

Bofors 40mm L/60 AA gun in a wheeled trailer mounting - 40×311mmR

L5A1

An Alvis Saladin armored car is also seen in the opening scene at the railroad station fitted with a 76mm L5A1 main gun. As the scene is set in 1940 and the Alvis Saladin wasn't produced until 1958, this is an anachronism.