Where does Hollywood get their guns?

[Aragorn243]

Maybe this was asked and answered before but I was thinking about this the other day. I know Hollywood has stockpiles of certain things and that they often get rid of certain things after the movie is over.

Where do they get their guns, specifically the older ones, surplus, that aren't in production anymore. Do they have a massive stockpile or do they rent from someone who does.

A "Last of the Samarai" rifle was in my local gun shop for a time. They had paperwork on it. So they aren't keeping all of them.

With my interest growing, I'm planning to dig out my copy of Captain Corelli's Mandolin to see if the rifles are correct, especially for the Italians. I know they try to make the German, British and US rifles correct.

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[tower06]

Maybe this was asked and answered before but I was thinking about this the other day. I know Hollywood has stockpiles of certain things and that they often get rid of certain things after the movie is over.

Where do they get their guns, specifically the older ones, surplus, that aren't in production anymore. Do they have a massive stockpile or do they rent from someone who does.

A "Last of the Samarai" rifle was in my local gun shop for a time. They had paperwork on it. So they aren't keeping all of them.

With my interest growing, I'm planning to dig out my copy of Captain Corelli's Mandolin to see if the rifles are correct, especially for the Italians. I know they try to make the German, British and US rifles correct.

I know IMA has provided for some prop houses in the past.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I have seen mentioned that there are companys that specialize in renting blank firing originals as well as the resin molded replicas.There was a pilot on the History channel a while back where two fellows in California had a buisness flipping militaria which I remember had some mention of this type of outfit. Sarco had/has some 1903 Springfields with paperwork from the movie "The Pacific".

[browningautorifle]

We used to have an organization here in BC that supplied blank firing firearms of all sorts to movie prop houses. They supplied the guns for Rambo(the original) and while they were filming in Hope(where the first part was filmed) a deuce and a half full of these blank firing full autos were stolen, truck and all. The company used to import full autos and convert them for blanks only and did a "Booming" business. The owner died some twenty years ago and it flickered to a halt. Too bad, his gunshop was excellent.

[RudyN]

Here in California there is a company that rents full auto blank firing guns for WWII reenactments.



Sent From The Telegraph Office

[M94/14]

Many firearms made famous by various Hollywood actors over the past 60 years or more were supplied by Stembridge Gun Rentals in Glendale Ca. Many of the Stembridge guns were also used for sound effects in various movies. They had undoubtedly the most extensive collection of civil, military, specialty, and one of a kind firearms available to the entertainment industry.

Maybe this was asked and answered before but I was thinking about this the other day. I know Hollywood has stockpiles of certain things and that they often get rid of certain things after the movie is over.

Where do they get their guns, specifically the older ones, surplus, that aren't in production anymore. Do they have a massive stockpile or do they rent from someone who does.

A "Last of the Samarai" rifle was in my local gun shop for a time. They had paperwork on it. So they aren't keeping all of them.

With my interest growing, I'm planning to dig out my copy of Captain Corelli's Mandolin to see if the rifles are correct, especially for the Italians. I know they try to make the German, British and US rifles correct.

[Sarge]

Almost none of the weapons used in movies are sold off after the movie is done.
There are a variety of sources around the US that rent weapons & accessories for the entertainment industry. Stembridge was by far the largest before they went out of business.
I have occasionaly rented weapons to the movie/TV industry for 25 yrs. I'm one of the smaller sources for this and primarily only work in Mo, Kan, Colo, Wyo, New Mex & Utah. Since there are not a lot of movies filmed in those states I don't do a lot.
I also rent weapons to the WW 2 & Viet Nam reenactors.
Sarge

[Pommyb]

My Ross Mk.II*** rifle was apparently purchased from Stembridge Gun Rentals, by the previous owner, in the late 1990s.

[kosmolinekid]

Here in California there is a company that rents full auto blank firing guns for WWII reenactments.



Sent From The Telegraph Office

Back when I re-enacted in the 80s we rented from Gary Harper who used to bring his stuff out for rental. It was neat to see those Fire arms in action back then.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I hope this is not too far afield. In watching the original Tora Tora Tora from 1970 I noticed the extreme realism of the attack sequinces particularly the ground leval air field shots. Please tell me they did not destroy real PBYs and P-40s.
Answered my own question.
Turns out Wiki has a good article and explination of the special effects. Pretty spectacular cenimatography for the day. Pre CGI.