Dark of the Sun

Dark of the Sun original poster (1968)

Dark of the Sun (in the UK released under the title The Mercenaries) is a 1968 movie by Jack Cardiff about a group of mercenaries sent on a dangerous mission during the Congo war.

The following weapons are seen in the movie Dark of the Sun:

Pistols

Walther P38 Pistol

The Walther P38 pistol is personal weapon of Capt. Henlein (Peter Carsten).

Walther P38 WWII dated with black grips - 9x19mm.

Henlein (Peter Carsten) gives his P38 to drunken Dr. Wreid (Kenneth More) to let him shoot at bottles in the bar.

Unidentified Pistol-1

Capt. Bruce Curry (Rod Taylor) had a pistol in his holster during the movie. He pulled it only in the final scene. The pistol is seen very briefly and unclear but due to the shape of its grip it could be identified as some version of Browning Hi-Power.

Curry (Rod Taylor) gives his pistol to Congolese corporal.

Curry's pistol is seen at the belt of Congolese corporal.

Unidentified Pistol-2

Bussier (André Morell) used a pistol to kill his wife and himself to prevent them from being caught alive by Simbas.

SMG

Sterling SMG

Sterling SMGs are main weapons of Capt. Curry (Rod Taylor) and Sgt. Ruffo (Jim Brown). It is most likely Mk. IV version.

Sterling Mk. IV Submachine Gun - 9x19mm.

Ruffo (Jim Brown) refuse to give his Sterling SMG to the UN soldiers.

Curry (Rod Taylor) with his Sterling SMG.

M3 SMG

M3 SMGs are main weapons of Capt. Henlein (Peter Carsten) and Lt. Surrier (Olivier Despax). In the scene in the bar drunken Dr. Wreid (Kenneth More) fire Henlein's SMG.

M3 "Grease Gun" - .45 ACP.

Henlein (Peter Carsten) with his M3 SMG.

Surrier (Olivier Despax) fire his M3 SMG at Simbas.

Rifles

FN FAL

Most Congolese soldiers are armed with FN FAL rifles with wooden furniture. A Congolese corporal has differen version of this rifle with black furniture.

FN FAL 50.00 - 7.62x51mm NATO.

Congolese soldier with FN FAL rifle.

A close view on the rifle.

Congolese soldiers fire at the UN aircraft that attacked the train.

The Congolese corporal has different model of FN FAL.

Type 56 Carbine

One of the firearms used by Simbas is Type 56 Carbine. It is correctly identified in the movie as "the Chinese rifle of Russian construction". This weapon is not seen in the hands of Simbas but one carbine is captured by Sgt. Ruffo (Jim Brown) and later used by Capt. Henlein (Peter Carsten).

Chinese Type 56 Carbine aka the Chinese SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm. The Chinese SKS has a stamped receiver and a spike bayonet (aka a "pig sticker").

Sgt. Ruffo (Jim Brown) examine a captured Type 56 carbine. A good view on the "pig sticker".

Capt. Henlein (Peter Carsten) take a Type 56 carbine.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I

Some Simbas are seen with the SMLE rifles that are most likely Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I - .303 British.

A Simba warrior with SMLE rifle is shot during the night attack of the mercenaries.

MGs

Browning M1919

Browning M1919A4 MG is mounted in the truck of the UN soldiers in the opening scene.

Browning M1919A4 on M2 tripod - .30-06.

Browning M2

Several Browning M2 MGs are mounted in the train.

Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG.

Capt. Henlein (Peter Carsten) near the M2HB.

Capt. Curry (Rod Taylor) and Sgt. Ruffo (Jim Brown) fire at the UN aircraft.

Two M2HB on the flatcar.

A close view on the belt.

Grenades

In the scene of the night attack Capt. Curry (Rod Taylor) throw a grenade at Simbas but the grenade itself is not seen, only the explosion.

Trivia

Simbas used mortars (supposedly 82mm) to attack the train.