The Vulture (Le Rapace) is a 1968 French-Italian-Mexican action movie directed by José Giovanni and based on the novel "The Vulture" (1964) by John Carrick. The plot is set in Mexico in 1938. A group of revolutionaries hire a seasoned adventurer (Lino Ventura), known as "Le Rapace" ("The Vulture"), to kill the President of the Republic during his discreet visit to his mistress, who lives on the outskirts of the city. The hitman is joined by an idealistic young man Miguel (Xavier Marc) whom "Le Rapace" nicknames "Chico", the grandson of a former president. Miguel must fulfill the role of the official "revolutionary hero", while the real shooter is planned to be killed.
The following weapons were used in the film The Vulture (Le Rapace):
Revolvers
Smith & Wesson Military & Police
Lanza (Marco Antonio Arzate), one of the conspirators, carries a Smith & Wesson Military & Police with pearl grips. Another conspirator, Capt. Ruiz (Carlos Cardán, credited as Carlos Lopez Figueroa), as well as numerous police and army officers, carry common Smith & Wesson revolvers. Joachim Bosco (Enrique Lucero) takes Ruiz' revolver in the climactic scene.
Smith & Wesson Model M&P Revolver with 5" Barrel - .38 Special
Lanza raises his revolver on "Le Rapace".
The tough hitman beats Lanza but then returns him the gun.
Two police officers carry revolvers in holsters, most likely also S&W M&P model.
The commander of the President's guards holds a revolver.
Another view of the officer's revolver.
Bosco draws the revolver from killed Ruiz' holster.
Submachine Guns
Thompson M1A1
Two Thompson M1A1 submachine guns are hidden in the wardrobe in Aurora' house. Both are fitted with foregrips and drum magazines to make them look like M1921. Calvez (Augusto Benedico) takes one of the Thompsons when he leaves the house. Another one is used by Chico (Xavier Marc). M1A1s with foregrips and drum magazines are often seen in 1950s-70s French movies.
M1A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP
For comparison: Colt M1921A Thompson with foregrip and 50-round drum magazine - .45 ACP
Calvez takes a Thompson from the wardrobe.
Chico takes the second Thompson.
Chico holds the Thompson when the duo sneaks into the mansion of the President's mistress La Camito.
"Le Rapace" takes Chico's gun...
...and covertly jammes the bolt to avoid unneccessary activity of the young man.
Chico fires from the car.
A good view of the foregrip.
Chico holds the Thompson during the final confrontation.
Rifles
M1 Carbine
"Le Rapace" (Lino Ventura) uses an M1 Carbine, anachronistic for 1938, for the assassination and in the following shootouts.
The Modern Manufactured version of the M1 Carbine, with standard stock - .30 Carbine
"Le Rapace" holds his carbine.
A close view of the barrel.
The duo sneaks into La Camito's mansion.
The hitman fires at the President.
"Le Rapace" holds his carbine during the shootout on the bridge.
Another view of the same scene.
M1903 Springfield
Mexican soldiers and policemen, and also some guerillas are armed with M1903 Springfield rifles of several modifications. The correct weapon for Mexican military in 1938 would be the M1936 Mexican Mauser as well a variety of earlier Mauser rifles.
Springfield M1903 Mk 1 - .30-06 Springfield
M1903A1 Springfield - .30-06 Springfield
Guerillas secretly transport the rifles in sacks of grain.
Rifles in the gun rack in the police pecinct. Pistol-grip stocks indicate M1903A1 or A3 models.
A soldier at the right holds an M1903A1 or A3 rifle.
A soldier in shootout with guerillas. Due to the groove on the stock, this rifle must be an original M1903.
A police officer with an original M1903 rifle.
Winchester Model 1873 Carbine
Many guerillas are armed with Winchester Model 1873 carbines. There are both saddle ring versions and carbines with sling swivels.
Winchester Model 1873 carbine - 1st generation rifle - 44-40 Winchester
A guerilla fighter holds a Winchester Model 1873 carbine.
Another guerilla fighter with a Winchester Model 1873 carbine. This is not a saddle ring version, as the sling swivel is seen below the magazine tube. The barrel is slightly longer than the magazine tube.
A guerilla fighter at the right holds a Winchester Model 1873 carbine.
Ruiz (Carlos Cardán) (at the left) holds a Winchester Model 1873 carbine. Calvez (Augusto Benedico) (at the right) is also armed with a Winchester though his gun is out of the frame.
A guerilla fighter holds a Winchester Model 1873 carbine. This is also the gun with sling swivels.
Ruiz' carbine of the ground. Note the saddle ring.
Bosco (Enrique Lucero) picks up Ruiz' carbine.
A Winchester Model 1873 carbine is seen on the ground next to a killed guerilla fighter. The saddle ring barely can be seen.
A village kid picks up this carbine.
Gravely wounded Bosco reaches the carbine in the final scene.
Winchester Model 1873 Rifle
Winchester Model 1873 rifles with heavy octagon barrels are also seen.
The 1873 "Short Rifle" model with octagon barrel
A guerilla fighter fires a Winchester Model 1873 rifle. Note the octagon barrel.
Bosco (Enrique Lucero) fires a Winchester Model 1873 rifle.
Bosco's rifle has the sling swivel mounted on the handguard.
Remington Rolling Block Carbine
Several guerillas are armed with Remington Rolling Block carbines.
Remington Model 1867 Rolling Block Carbine - .50-45
A guerilla fighter holds a Rolling Block carbine.
Machine Guns
Hotchkiss M1914
A Hotchkiss M1914 machine gun is mounted on the railway flatcar that transports the coffin of the President to the capital.
Hotchkiss M1914 with tripod - 8x50mmR Lebel / 7.92x57mm Mauser / 11mm Gras
The machine gun is seen very blurry due to fast motion but it's still identifiable.
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