The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case

The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case Original Theatrical Poster Country UK Directed by Graham Cutts Release Date 1932 Studio ATP Main Cast Character Actor Sherlock Holmes Arthur Wontner Dr. Watson Ian Hunter Mary Morstan Isla Bevan Jonathan Small Graham Soutten Thaddeus Sholto Miles Malleson Major Sholto Herbert Lomas Inspector Atherly Jones Gilbert Davis

The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case is a British 1932 B&W detective movie, loosely based on the famous novel by Arthur Conan Doyle. It is directed by Graham Cutts and stars Arthur Wontner as Sherlock Holmes and Ian Hunter as Dr. Watson.

The following weapons were used in the film The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case:

Revolvers

Top-break revolver

Compact nickel plated Smith & Wesson-style top-break revolvers are used by Jonathan Small (Graham Soutten), and Inspector Atherly Jones (Gilbert Davis). Same looking revolver is also seen on Sherlock Holmes' table but Holmes later uses another, shorter revolver (see below).

For comparison: Smith & Wesson Model 2 Double Action, 3.25" barrel - .38 S&W

Holmes' handguns: Smith & Wesson revolver (1) and Bayard Model 1923 pistol (2).

Johathan Small holds a revolver in the scene on a boat.

Another view of Small's revolver.

Small holds his revolver in the scene on a riverside warehouse.

Small waylays Holmes' assistant Enet (uncredited).

Atherly Jones holds a revolver.

Top-break snub nose revolver

When Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Wontner) fires at Tonga, he holds another top-break revolver, a snub nose model.

For comparison: Iver Johnson Snub Nose - .32 S&W

Holmes holds his revolver. Unlike the revolver that was seen on Holmes' table, this one seems smaller and with shorter barrel.

Holmes fires at Tonga who raises his blowpipe.

Holmes confronts Johathan Small.

Pistols

Bayard Model 1923

Sherlock Holmes gives a Bayard Model 1923 pistol to Dr. Watson (Ian Hunter). Later same looking pistol is seen in hands of Jonathan Small's accomplice, credited as "The Tattooed Man" (Roy Emerton). While the pistol looks similar to FN Model 1910, it can identified due to its wide angular grips.

Bayard Model 1923 - 7.65x17mm (.32 ACP)

Holmes' handguns: Smith & Wesson revolver (1) and Bayard Model 1923 pistol (2).

Holmes takes the pistol...

...and hands it to Watson.

The Tattooed Man holds a pistol.

Another view of The Tattooed Man's pistol.

Rifles and Muskets

Small caliber rifle

Small caliber rifles are seen in a shooting gallery on a funfair. They have underbarrel tube magazines and seem to have exposed hammers.

For comparison: Winchester Model 1906 - .22. An example of pump-action gallery rifle.

Jezail Musket

A musket in jezail style is seen in Sholto's house. It lacks any kind of lock and is possibly non-firing decorative "wall-hanger".

For comparison: Flintlock Jezail Musket