The Guns of The Highwaymen

The year of 2019 has seen some truly iconic actor pairings. With Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio teaming up in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham joining forces in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. The icing on the cake was perhaps the two Hollywood veterans Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson sharing the limelight with The Highwaymen. 

Set in the 1930s, the movie is a crime drama that centres on two former Texas Rangers, played by Costner and Harrelson, who attempt to capture and apprehend notorious outlaws Bonnie and Clyde. The movie showcases a range of firearms, ranging from small pistols to rifles and shotguns. Here, we’ll be taking a look at those included in the film. 

Warning: Before reading any further, please note that this article contains spoilers! 

Revolvers 

Colt 1873 Single Action Army 

Carried by both stars as their sidearm of choice, the Single Action Army revolver is a model produced by Colt. Starting production in 1873, the firearm is known for its popularity with both civilian and military use. 

Smith & Wesson M1917 Revolver 

This classic gun appears in the gun store scene as Costner looks at one model, and asks to see a black version due to the nickel being too shiny. This firearm has also made appearances in the 2016’s release Hacksaw Ridge and the 1974 production of The Great Gatsby. 

Pistols 

M1911 

Perhaps one of the world’s most iconic and well know handguns, the M1911 makes two appearances in the film — the first being during the prison escape scene and the second during the gun shop scene. 

Submachine Guns 

Thompson M1921AC 

As the name suggests, this classic submachine gun was produced in 1921, making it relatively new at the time in which the film was set. Made famous through countless gang and mobster films, the gun is fitted with a drum magazine when used twice in the film – first by Bonnie in the prison escape scene and then by Bienville Parish Deputy Sheriff Prentiss Oakley. 

Shotguns 

Winchester Model 1912 

In the prison scene, a guard is seen carrying this shotgun. Highly popular, the shotgun saw use in both world wars and spawned a series of versions including 12 and 16 gauge in 1914 and later a 28 gauge in 1934. 

Browning Auto-5 

The Browning Auto-5 is purchased by Costner’s character from the gun store and seen again in multiple scenes as he uses the weapon. The gun was initially produced in 1902 and had a five round capacity, with four in the magazine and a fifth already in the chamber. 

12 Gauge Double-Barrel Shotgun 

This weapon features in a small scene set in Henry Barrow’s garage, hanging on the wall. These firearms feature in countless films and television shows, most recently being seen in the aforementioned Hobbs & Shaw.  

Coach Shotgun 

Seen in the hands of Woody Harrelson’s character Benjamin Maney Gault, the coach shotgun is a variation on the double-barrel shotgun. 

Rifles/Carbines 

Browning Automatic Rifle 

Although designed with the intention of being fired from the hip, the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) ended up weighing in at 16 pounds (just over 7kg), making it more suited to a role as a light machine gun. Despite being on the heavy side, the weapon only featured a 20 round magazine, lower than other LMGs of the time. Both in real life and in the movie, Clyde Barrow used a cutdown version of the gun, making it both lighter and easier to manoeuvre. 

M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle 

Also featuring in the film is the unmodified version of the M1918 BAR. 

Colt Monitor 

Both leading characters are seen in the film using the Colt R80 Monitor, fitted with a Cutts compensator. This is a variation on the BAR and was used by US law enforcement to combat the growing threat posed by civilians purchasing the original BAR during the interwar years. 

M1903 Springfield 

Seen again inside the gun store, as purchased by Costner’s character Frank Hamer, the M1903 was adopted by all branches of the US Armed Forces and was the first service rifle to have done so. 

Remington Model 8 Autoloading Rifle 

Featured in two scenes in the film, this weapon is used by Costner in both scenes and is fitted with a custom 20-round magazine. This firearm was produced from 1906 to 1950 and specifically designed not to fire any high power cartridges. 

Winchester Model 1894 

Again, this weapon is seen in the gun store and purchased by Costner’s character. It can also be seen in use by Frank’s posse during the Parish Sheriff played by David Born. The Winchester has also featured in countless other films including Public Enemies and the famed The Shawshank Redemption. 

Winchester Model 1907 

Production of this rifle began in 1906 until 1958, and the gun is a blowback-operated self-loading rifle. The gun can be seen in use by character Deputy Bob Alcorn during the ambush scene fitted with a 10-round magazine. 

Want to know more insider info on the latest films? Check out our blog here! You can also find replica air rifles of some of the most iconic firearms here.