Wait for John Grafton (Gaidiet "Džonu Graftonu")
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Modern Latvian Poster
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Country
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USSR
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Directed by
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Andris Rozenbergs
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Release Date
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1979
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Language
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Russian
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Studio
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Riga Film Studio
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Wait for John Grafton (original Latvian title Gaidiet "Džonu Graftonu", Russian title Zhdite "Dzhona Graftona") is a Soviet Latvian 1979 made for TV historical movie directed by Andris Rozenbergs. It depicts so called "Grafton Affair", the unsuccessful attempt of Finnish (in the movie - Latvian) revolutionaries to smuggle large quantities of firearms into Russian Empire on board of SS John Grafton in July-September 1905.
The following weapons were used in the film Wait for John Grafton (Gaidiet "Dzonu Graftonu"):
Revolvers
Nagant M1895
Nagant M1895 revolvers are used by revolutionaries and Russian Special Corps of Gendarmes personnel. Most revolvers are of anachronistic post-1930 version.
Nagant M1895 Revolver - 7.62x38R Nagant. This example was dated 1939 manufacture and was a War time issued weapon. Note the angular front sight which was used from 1930s.
A gendarme carries holstered Nagant.
Gendarmery Col. Leonid Rataev (
Jonas Pakulis) holds a Nagant when he secretly meets his agent, infiltrated in revolutionary organisation.
One of the revolutionaries on board of
John Grafton fires at the closed door. His Nagant has the pre-1930 rounded front sight.
Another view of the same scene.
Close view of Mitrich's revolver.
Custom Nagant M1895
A custom Nagant M1895 revolver with a very short sawn-off barrel is a personal handgun of British sailor David Blake (Roland Zagorskis), crewmember of John Grafton (SPOILER! Highlight to see description)who is in reality Russian Navy officer Vsevolod, infiltrated in the crew. Possibly same movie prop was reused four years later in Mirage TV series, also filmed by Riga Studio.
A photoshopped image of sawn-off Nagant M1895 revolver
Blake threatens Dr. Nikolay Gruber (Ernst Romanov) and his daughter Nastya (Inguna Steprane).
Another view of Blake's revolver.
A closeup of Blake's snub nose Nagant.
Blake in shootout with revolutionaries on the desk of
John Grafton.
Pistols
Tokarev TT-33
Anachronistic TT-33 appears in several scenes, possibly standing for similar looking FN Model 1903. TTs are used by revolutionaries Christophor Krasilnikov (Juris Plavins) and Reppo (Andris Mekss). Due to a continuity error, Captain Jackson's (Viktors Sildknehts) Sauer Model 1913 switches to a TT when Krasilnikov disarms the crew.
TT-33 dated 1942 with checkered wood grips - 7.62x25mm Tokarev.
Krasilnikov holds pistols, requisitioned from the crew of
John Grafton. TT is seen at the background.
Krasilnikov fires his pistol in air to stop the quarrel between English sailors and newcoming crewmembers.
The pistol has pre-1947 slide serration and checkered wood grips.
Krasilnikov holds Jackson's pistol that switches to TT from Sauer 1913.
He discharges the pistol before throwing it back to Jackson.
Reppo fires his TT during the shootout with Col. Rataev. Next to him Elconen (
Juris Strenga) holds a Nagant revolver.
Reppo fires at Rataev's agent.
Mauser C96
Christophor Krasilnikov's (Juris Plavins) main firearm is a Mauser C96 pistol. It can be identified as a 1912 version (also known as Wartime Commercial), anachronistic for 1905.
Pre-War dated Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" Commercial Version - 7.63x25mm Mauser. The screen gun is of slightly different version.
Krasilnikov interrogates Otzov.
A close view of the Mauser.
Krasilnikov suspects Dr. Gruber.
Trautman (
Janis Paukstello) disarms Krasilnikov. Note the solid (without hole) safety lever knob that is a feature of Wartime Commercial model.
Krasilnikov in shootout with Blake. The slide of the pistol is seen cycling.
Browning Hi-Power
In the scene in London Reppo (Andris Mekss) carries a heavily anachronistic Browning Hi-Power pistol. A Hi-Power is also seen when Krasilnikov (Juris Plavins) disarms the crew of John Grafton. The pistol appears to be P-35 version.
Reppo cocks his Hi-Power.
Krasilnikov holds pistols, requisitioned from the crew of
John Grafton. From left to right:
TT-33,
FN Model 1900, Browning Hi-Power,
FN Model 1922,
Walther PPK. The adjustable sights of Hi-Power indicates P-35 model.
Sauer Model 1913
An anachronistic Sauer Model 1913 is a personal firearm of Captain Jackson (Viktors Sildknehts). When Krasilnikov (Juris Plavins) disarms the crew, the pistol switches to a TT-33 and then back again.
Sauer Model 1913 - 7.65 mm Browning (.32 ACP)
Krasilnikov takes the pistol from Capt. Jackson.
Krasilnikov throws Jackson's pistol into the lifeboat. Here the gun turns back to Sauer.
FN Model 1900
An FN Model 1900 is seen among the guns of the crew of John Grafton.
The barrel of FN 1900 is seen between TT and Hi-Power.
FN Model 1922
An anachronistic FN Model 1922 is seen among the guns of the crew of John Grafton.
Krasilnikov (
Juris Plavins) holds FN Model 1922, confiscated from a crewmember.
The length and shape of the barrel allows to identify the pistol as Model 1922.
Long barrel of FN 1922 is seen between Browning Hi-Power and Walther PPK.
Walther PPK
An anachronistic Walther PPK is seen among the guns of the crew of John Grafton.
Walther PPK - 9mm Kurz aka .380 ACP. Note the ring just behind the magazine.
Walther PPK is seen at the foreground among the pistols of crewmembers.
Rifles
Karabiner 98k
Most guns in the payload of John Grafton are Karabiner 98k rifles. In reality John Grafton transported 15,500 Swiss Vetterli M1896/70 rifles.
Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm Mauser
An accidentally broken crate with rifles, mostly 98k.
A revolutionary carries a 98k rifle.
A revolutionary holds a 98k rifle.
Vz. 16/33
Czech vz. 16/33 rifles are also seen. While similar to 98k, they can be distinguished by visible groove on stock.
Czech vz. 16/33 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
An accidentally broken crate with rifles. Vz. 16/33 is seen on top (red 1).
MAS-36
Most unusual rifles in the load of John Grafton are French MAS-36s.
A revolutionary carries MAS-36 rifle.
Another view of MAS-36. The bayonet-ramrod is removed.
Wz. 29 Mauser
Some Polish Wz. 29 Mauser rifles are also seen, identified by front sight with large protectors and full length handguard.
Wz. 29 Mauser - 7.92x57mm Mauser
An accidentally broken crate with rifles. What appears to be Wz.29 is seen below 98k (red 2).
The full length handguard matches Wz.29.
Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian Model
A Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian Model is seen on a postcard of early 1900s, shown in the opening scene.
Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian Model - .44 Russian
A
Gorodovoy (policeman) holds Smith & Wesson No.3 Russian Model revolver.
Mosin Nagant M1891
Mosin Nagant M1891 rifles are seen on postcards of early 1900s.
Russian Mosin Nagant M1891 Infantry Rifle in original configuration - 7.62x54mm R
Russian Mosin Nagant M1891 Dragoon Rifle - 7.62x54mm R
A Russian Army soldier holds an M91 rifle while a
Gorodovoy arrests a suspect.
A
Gorodovoy with M91 rifle on the street of Riga.
A Cossack (at the right) carries an M91 Dragoon or Cossack rifle on sling.
Mauser C96
Photos of early 1900s show the personnel of Russian police, posing with Mauser C96 pistols, confiscated from Latvian revolutionaries.
Pre-War dated Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" Commercial Version - 7.63x25mm Mauser