Thanks Bob
A quick google search for Born to Battle found this photo:
It may well be the same as my 44-40 Pocket Army 2nd Model. Notice the open top, and notice the 'scoop flutes' on the cylinder.
However, since the shooter's hand is covering the grip, it is impossible to determine if the gun is the same. The early Frontier Models, with their more typical type of grips also came as Open Tops with scoop flutes. These are third models, having a top strap but no rib on the barrel. But picture one of these with scoop flutes in an open top configuration and that could also be what is in the photo. Were you able to get a good look at the grip of the gun in the movie?
A Merwin Hulbert appears three times in the Godfather II. The first time it appears in the Italian theater. One of the actors threatens to kill himself with it when he learns his mother has died.
The same MH appears in the bag of guns young Clemenza asks young Vito to hide. Notice the scoop flutes and badly chipped grip. This is an open top Frontier model.
The same MH appears again in young Clemenza's hand when he and Vito are stealing the rug.
In The Long Riders Randy Quaid brandishes a Merwin Hulbert.
Regarding using real old guns rather than replicas in the old movies, it was done all the time. The Italian replica business did not start up until about the time of the Centennial of the Civil War. 1959 to be exact if I recall correctly. Before then, the guns in the old movies were always originals. I can recall seeing an actual Henry rifle in The Man From Laramie, also the one in the original True Grit was probably an original. To this day I cringe every time an old 1st Gen Colt gets kicked across the floor in an old movie. But back then, they were not worth much and nobody really cared.
So Bob.............how was Born to Battle? Too many times I find these old oatburners from the 30s are really terrible. Worth watching?
