| The Square Peg
|
|
Original Theatrical Poster
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| Country
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 UK
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| Directed by
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John Paddy Carstairs
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| Release Date
|
1959
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| Language
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English
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| Studio
|
Rank Organisation
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| Distributor
|
Rank Film Distributors
|
|
|
The Square Peg is a 1959 British B&W war comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Norman Wisdom who appears in two roles: roadmender Norman Pitkin, and a Nazi general Schreiber. During the Second World War, Norman Pitkin together with his boss Mr. Grimsdale are called up for service in the Pioneer Corps. Accidentally they are parachuting into Nazi occupied France, in a town where the headquarters of General Otto von Schreiber is located. It appears that Pitkin is an exact double of the General. He gets a chance to dress in Schreiber's uniform and helps captured Grimsdale, British agent Lesley Cartland and the local Resistance leader Henri Le Blanc to escape from German prison.
The following weapons were used in the film The Square Peg:
Revolvers
Webley .38 Mk IV / Enfield No. 2
Several British officers and soldiers on duty in barracks carry Webley .38 Mk IV or Enfield No. 2 revolvers in holsters. Only small parts of grips and lanyards can be seen.
Enfield No. 2 Mk.I Original configuration with spurred hammer - .38 S&W
A sentry (Robert Desmond) carries a revolver in holster.
A small part of the grip is seen.
An officer (Martin Boddey) carries a revolver in holster.
Pistols
Walther P38
A Walther P38 is a personal sidearm of German Gen. Otto von Schreiber (Norman Wisdom). When Norman Pitkin disguises himself as von Schreiber, he also takes General's P38 and then hands it to local French Resistance leader Henri Le Blanc (Brian Worth).
Walther P38 WWII dated with black grips - 9x19mm
Schreiber surprises Le Blanc who sneaks in General's apartments.
Schreiber threatens captured Grimsdale.
Pitkin in General's uniform holds the P38.
Pitkin poses as Gen. Schreiber.
Le Blanc "takes the General as hostage".
Mauser Pocket Pistol
French Resistance fighter Jean-Claude (André Maranne) draws a Mauser Pocket Pistol of unclear model when he takes Norman Pitkin for plainclothes General Schreiber.
For comparison: M1934 Mauser Pocket Pistol - 7.65x17mmSR
Jean-Claude, a waiter in cafe, draws the pistol.
He aims at Pitkin, thinking him to be Schreiber.
Another view of the pistol.
Submachine Guns
MP40
Several German soldiers are armed with MP40 SMGs.
A German soldier (Mike Connor) surprises Grimsdale.
A soldier at the left holds an MP40.
Another view of the MP40.
A soldier with MP40 greets Pitkin, dressed as Gen. Schreiber.
A German officer at gatepost (
John G. Heller) holds an MP40 in center.
He tries to arrest real Schreiber.
At last the officer uncovers Pitkin.
Sten Mk II
A guard at the British headquarters carries a Sten Mk II SMG.
Sten Mk II (Canadian) - 9x19mm
Rifles
Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I
During the training British soldiers, including Norman Pitkin (Norman Wisdom) and Mr. Grimsdale (Edward Chapman), carry Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I rifles. In several scenes the rifles are fitted with No. 4 spike bayonets.
Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I - .303 British
Soldiers march with rifles during the drill.
Another view of marching soldiers (Roy Godfrey at the foreground center).
Soldiers prepare for the training in bayonet fighting.
Grimsdale and Pitkin among other soldiers.
Sergeant Loder (
Campbell Singer) shows the proper handling of the rifle with bayonet.
Sgt. Loder bayonets a dummy.
Pitkin finds out that he lost the bayonet.
A good view of the barrel of the rifle.
Mauser Gewehr 1898 Carbine
Most German soldiers are armed with Mauser carbines that have Lange-Visier sights and straigt bolt handles. Probably these rifles are Gewehr 98s, shortened to carbine length. Similar rifles are seen in some other British war movies, like Ice Cold in Alex. Rifles are mostly fitted with long M1898/05 sword bayonets.
Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser. Screen guns keep G98 receivers, bolt handles and sights but have short barrels, similar to
Karabiner 98k.
Soldiers with Mauser rifles and an
MP40 capture Grimsdale.
A soldier holds a short Mauser rifle during the arrest of suspects in cafe.
Soldiers with short Mauser rifles break in Gen. Schreiber's apartments.
A good view of short Mauser rifle. Lange-Visier rear sight and straight bolt handle are seen.
Soldiers hold rifles with long bayonets.
A good view of a bayonet at the foreground.
A soldier at the background holds a short Mauser rifle.
Soldiers of firing squad take aim.
Karabiner 98k
Some Karabiner 98k rifles are also seen in hands of German soldiers.
Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser. Manufactured in Germany, 1937.
A sentry at the gates holds a Karabiner 98k. Turned down bolt handle is seen.
A soldier at the right holds a Karabiner 98k.
Trivia
Holsters
A German officer carries a holster for
Luger P08. It seems to be empty.
Another officer carries a British holster for .455 Webley revolver.
Artillery
A Napoleonic era artillery piece is seen in the barracks. Its shape and size allow to guess it to be 6-inch
Obusier de 6 pouces Gribeauval.
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