The Black Monocle (Le Monocle noir)

Unidentified This article currently has one or more unidentified weapons. If you can help identify any of the weapons labelled "unknown," please do so.

The Black Monocle (Le Monocle noir) Original Theatrical Poster Country France Directed by Georges Lautner Release Date 1961 Language French Studio Orex Films Distributor Pathe Consortium Cinema Main Cast Character Actor Commandant (Maj.) Théobald Dromard alias "The Monocle" Paul Meurisse Martha alias Erika Murger Elga Andersen Commissioner Tournemire Bernard Blier Marquis de Villemaur Pierre Blanchar Heinrich von Moersch Gérard Buhr Bénédicte de Villemaur Marie Dubois Chauvet Jacques Dufilho Adjudant (Sgt.Maj.) Trochu Jacques Marin Mathias Fisher Lutz Gabor Mérignac Albert Rémy

The Black Monocle (Le Monocle noir) is a 1961 French B&W detective comedy directed by Georges Lautner and starring Paul Meurisse, Elga Andersen and Bernard Blier. Théobald Dromard alias "The Monocle" (Meurisse) is a secret agent who infiltrates a Neo Nazi organization with the headquarters in the castle of Marquis de Villemaur.

The movie was followed by two sequels about the adventures of "The Monocle": The Eye of the Monocle (L'oeil du monocle) (1962) and The Monocle Laughs (Le Monocle rit jaune) (1964).

The following weapons were used in the film The Black Monocle (Le Monocle noir):
WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Revolvers

Lefaucheux Revolvers

Two Lefaucheux Revolvers are seen in the museum in Castle Villemaur. The one on top is a Lefaucheux Model 1854 while the one on bottom is a Lefaucheux Model 1858.

Lefaucheux Model 1854 - 12mm Pinfire

Lefaucheux Model 1858 - 12mm Pinfire. The screen gun has a slightly different grip and shorter ejector rod.

The Lefaucheux M1854 on top, M1858 on bottom.

Unidentified revolvers

During the shootout in the dungeons of the castle, Mathias' (Lutz Gabor) M1911A1 runs dry, and in the next moment he is seen with a revolver that has come out of nowhere. In the following scene Mathias is again armed with an M1911. The revolver may be a MAS Mle 1892 but it's hard to say for sure.

For comparison: Modèle d’Ordonnance Mle 1892 Revolver - 8x27mm SR

Mathias holds a revolver of unclear model in his wounded and bandaged right hand. In previous and following scenes he uses an M1911A1, holding it in the left hand.

Marquis' henchman Jean (Raoul Saint-Yves) holds a revolver during the shootout.

Jean with a revolver in hand is seen through the scope of the police sniper.

Pistols

M1911A1

The secret agent of the French military intelligence service, Commandant (Maj.) Théobald Dromard alias "The Monocle" (Paul Meurisse) carries an M1911A1 pistol. Heinrich von Moersch (Gérard Buhr) and Mathias Fisher (Lutz Gabor) also use M1911s.

World War II Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP. This was an issued U.S. Army pistol with parkerized finish, thus the official designation of M1911A1

A close-up of the muzzle of von Moersch's pistol.

Mathias, wounded in the right hand, holds his M1911 in the left hand.

Mathias holds his pistol.

Von Moersch's unnamed henchman with an M1911.

Dromard holds his M1911A1 when he sneaks into the castle.

Dromard's aide Trochu (Jacques Marin) holds an M1911A1 pistol when he disables Raymond.

Dromard holds his pistol in the climactic scene.

Mathias' pistol runs out of ammo. In the next moment the character is seen with a revolver (see above) and then again with the M1911.

Dromard finds Marquis' secret room.

Beretta M1935

In the climactic scene Marquis de Villemaur's daughter Bénédicte (Marie Dubois) holds a Beretta M1935 pistol. Judging by the markings on the grip and the slide and the slanted serration, the pistol is a 1950s export modification. Heinrich von Moersch (Gérard Buhr) fires a Beretta M1934/35 during the shootout in the dungeons of the castle; his pistol seems to have slanted serration, so this is most likely the same prop reused. Jean (Raoul Saint-Yves) briefly holds a Beretta during the chase after Mathias; this pistol again may be the same prop.

Beretta M1935 - .32 ACP. The screen gun has slanted serration and different markings.

Jean holds a Beretta at the background. Note the typical spur on the magazine.

Von Moersch readies his Beretta.

Bénédicte tries to stop Dromard and Mathias.

A perfect close-up of the pistol.

Trochu carefullly takes the pistol from Benedicte's hand.

Von Moersch loads his pistol.

The slanted serration is seen, so the pistol is likely the same prop.

Von Moersch fires.

Luger P08

Marquis' henchman Raymond (Raymond Meunier) carries a Luger P08. In the climactic scene Police Commissioner Tournemire (Bernard Blier) uses a Luger.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm

Raymond holds his Luger during the chase after Mathias.

Raymond holds his pistol while reporting the results of the chase.

Commissioner Tournemire fires his Luger.

Commissioner Tournemire holds his Luger on the promotional image.

FN Model 1910

Dromard's aide Trochu (Jacques Marin) carries an FN Model 1910 pistol. In the opening scene Marquis' henchman Jean (Raoul Saint-Yves) takes a pistol from a murdered plainclothes police detective; this gun also seems to be an FN 1910.

FN Model 1910 - .380 ACP

Jean takes the pistol from the murdered man.

Trochu puts his pistol in the pocket.

Trochu holds his pistol when he and Dromard sneak into the dungeons of the castle.

Trochu's pistol on the ground. The FN medallion on the grip can be seen.

Trochu holds his pistol in the climactic scene.

Unique Model 17 / Rr 51

A police officer holds a pistol in the scene in the dungeons. Unique Model 17 or Rr 51 is a decent guess, judging by the shape and length.

Unique Rr 51 - 7.65x17mm

A police officer holds a pistol.

Galesi Model 504/507

In one scene Martha alias Erika Murger (Elga Andersen) holds a bright chrome plated pocket pistol. The pistol turns out to be a Galesi. The chrome plated version with white grips has the designation Model 504 if chambered in .25 caliber and Model 507 in .22 caliber.

For comparison: Galesi Model 5, Stainless, Engraved, and with Pearl grips - .22 LR. Models 504 and 507 are close relatives of the Model 5

Martha loads the pistol...

...and puts it on the table.

A mysterious person steals the gun.

Various pistols

Various pistols are briefly seen in hands of uniformed and plainclothes police personnel. None of these guns is seen clear enough for proper identification.

A police detective in center and a gendarme at the left hold pistols.

A gendarme holds a pistol.

Flintlock Pistol

A Flintlock Pistol in Oriental style is used as a decoration in Dromard's apartments.

Turkish Flintlock Pistol

The pistol is seen on the wall. Note the button trigger, common for Oriental pistols.

Another view of the pistol.

Submachine Guns

MAT-49

During the attack on the Castle Villemaur, French gendarmes are armed with MAT-49 submachine guns.

MAT-49 - 9x19mm

A gendarme holds a MAT-49.

MP40

Von Moersch's unnamed henchman holds an MP40 during the shootout in the dungeons of the castle.

MP40 - 9x19mm

The henchman with the MP40.

He prepares to ambush Dromard.

The henchman fires.

Shotguns

Double Barreled Shotgun

Jean (Raoul Saint-Yves) holds a double barreled shotgun during the hunt on Mathias.

Jean with the shotgun.

Jean fires.

Jean holds the shotgun when he and Raymond search for Mathias.

Rifles and Muskets

Sniper Rifle

A police sniper uses an unidentified sniper rifle. It seems to be a semi auto gun, possibly a hunting or sporting weapon.

The sniper takes aim.

Muskets

Several muskets, most likely of the Napoleonic era, are seen in the museum in Castle Villemaur.

For comparison: Charleville Mousquet Modele 1777 - .69 caliber

Matchlock Arquebuse

A kind of Matchlock arquebuse with a Jezail style stock but relatively short barrel is seen on the wall in Castle Villemaur.

A general view of the gun.

The lock is seen better.