Heroes for Sale

Heroes for Sale Movie Poster Country United States Directed by William A. Wellman Release Date June 17, 1933 Language English German Studio First National Pictures Distributor Warner Bros. Pictures Main Cast Character Actor Thomas 'Tom' Holmes Richard Barthelmess Ruth Loring Loretta Young Mary Dennis Aline MacMahon Roger Winston Gordon Westcott Max Brinker Robert Barrat Mr. Winston Berton Churchill George W. Gibson Grant Mitchell Pa Dennis Charley Grapewin

Heroes for Sale is a 1933 pre-Hayes Code Depression-era drama directed by William A. Wellman (Wings). During the First World War, Roger Winston was ordered to destroy a German machine gun nest with a handful of men, including Tom Holmes, who was from the same town as him. Tom is wounded while capturing a German officer, but Roger receives the honors, although he has acted cowardly, which he refrains from admitting. Tom instead is captured and is taken to the hospital, where he is treated. After the war, Roger gets a job for Tom in his father's bank in exchange for his silence.

The following weapons were used in the film Heroes for Sale:

Handguns

Colt M1911

Roger Winston (Gordon Westcott) and other U.S. doughboys are seen carrying the M1911 pistol during the World War I battles.

Original Colt M1911 (dated 1913) - .45 ACP

Winston waits in his foxhole with an M1911.

Colt New Service

A railroad dick is armed with a Colt New Service revolver when he menaces Holmes.

Colt New Service Revolver - .45 ACP.

A railroad dick with the revolver as he menaces Holmes.

Rifles

M1903 Springfield

Doughboys including Thomas Holmes (Richard Barthelmess) and Roger Winston are armed with Springfield Model 1903 with M1905 bayonets during the WWI sequence.

Springfield M1903 with M1905 bayonet - .30-06 Springfield

Doughboys hold their Springfield rifles as they are ordered on a suicide mission.

Before going over the top, Roger and Thomas discuss the mission, while Holmes carries his M1903 Springfield with a bayonet.

A doughboy armed with the Springfield dies a heroic death.

Tom waits at the edge of the German trench with his rifle.

A few moments later, he forces the German Lt. Lefner (Hans Fuerberg) out of the trench with his Springfield to come with him.

Shotguns

Winchester Model 1897

Riot police are armed with Winchester Model 1897 shotguns.

Winchester Model 1897 Riot Gun - 12 gauge

The officer on the right running board holds the Winchester M1897.

A riot officer holds his Winchester Model 1897 above the heads of rioters.

Double Barreled Shotgun

During the riots, a 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun is seen.

Charles Parker 1878 Shotgun

Railroad dicks menace the unemployed. The double-barreled shotgun is seen in the background.

Machine Guns

Maxim MG08

German machine gunners use a Maxim MG08 to repulse the American attack.

Maxim MG08 on Schlittenlafette 08 mount - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The German pill box.

Germans fire on advancing Doughboys.

Other

F1 Hand Grenade

Tom Holmes pulls the pin of an F1 hand grenade.

F1 hand grenade with Mle1916 Billant fuse.

Holmes pulls the pin on his F1 Grenade.

L-5 Federal Gas Riot Gun

Riot police are also seen using the L-5 Federal Gas Riot Gun.

L-5 Federal Gas Riot Gun

A riot police officer carries an L-S Federal Gas Riot Gun.