Sergeant York

Sergeant York Cinema poster Country USA Directed by Howard Hawks Release Date July 2, 1941 Language English Studio Warner Bros. Distributor Warner Bros. Main Cast Character Actor Alvin C. York Gary Cooper Pastor Rosier Pile Walter Brennan Gracie Williams Joan Leslie 'Pusher' Ross George Tobias Major Buxton Stanley Ridges George York Dickie Moore Buck Lipscomb Noah Beery Jr. Ike Botkin Ward Bond Sergeant Early Joe Sawyer Sgt. Harry Parsons Pat Flaherty

Sergeant York is a 1941 biographical war movie directed by Howard Hawks that chronicles the life of Sergeant Alvin York from 1915 to 1919. n the film, York (portrayed by Gary Cooper) struggles between his religious convictions and fighting for his country. York is a simple backwoods farm boy from Pall Mall, Tennessee, when he is thrown into the First World War. Taking the bull by the horns, he leads his men during a battle in which he captures 132 German soldiers during the Meuse–Argonne offensive and his actions would lead him to become a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

The following weapons were used in the film Sergeant York:

Handguns

Colt Single Action Army

During his early years, York (Gary Cooper) is seen firing a Colt Single Action Army with a "Cavalry" length barrel.

Colt Single Action Army with 7.5" barrel known as the "Cavalry" model - .45 Long Colt

Alvin York (Gary Cooper) firing a Colt Single Action Army.

Colt M1911

The original M1911 is carried by by Sgt. Early (Joe Sawyer) and Sgt. Harry Parsons (Pat Flaherty)

Colt M1911 - .45 ACP

Sgt. Early (Joe Sawyer) and Sgt. Harry Parsons (Pat Flaherty) both holding Colt M1911s.

Luger P08

In real life, Sgt. Alvin York carried a M1911 as his sidearm in France, at one point gunning down six Germans with his pistol, firing back to front like he hunted turkeys back home. However, .45 ACP blanks at the time of filming were unreliable in semi-automatic pistols, so instead the story has York liberate a Luger P08 off of a dead German soldier. Cooper, having met York, initially refused to shoot the scene with the Luger, but was told because of timing they needed to shoot the scene with the weapon, and was promised they'd re-shoot the scene with the M1911, but this never happened. Captured Lugers are also used by other members of the American Expeditionary Force.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm Parabellum

Sgt. Alvin York (Gary Cooper) holding a Luger P08 Pistol on the German lieutenant.

'Pusher' Ross (George Tobias) holding a Luger P08 on the German major (Carl Esmond).

Sgt. York (Gary Cooper) firing a Luger P08.

Sgt. Alvin York (Gary Cooper) holding a Luger P08.

Rifles

Springfield 1873

A Springfield 1873 "Trapdoor" mocked-up to resemble a Kentucky Flintlock Rifle is also seen.

Springfield Model 1873 "Trapdoor" - .45-70

The Springfield 1873 mocked-up to look like a Kentucky Rifle.

M1903 Springfield

Throughout the film, York is seen using the M1903 Springfield, which was the standard-issue rifle of US forces during WWI. However, in reality, York was issued a M1917 Enfield. The rear sights on several of these M1903 rifles are not the Model 1906 folding ladder in use during WWI, but the original tangent-leaf Model 1903 "Dixon" type, which was not retained on the service rifle past 1905. Between WWI and WWII, R. F. Sedgley & Co. assembled M1903 rifles in this configuration from scrap parts purchased from government auction. At least one rifle also appears to have a US M1917 upper barrel band, another hallmark of the Sedgley type.

Springfield M1903 - .30-06 Springfield

New M1903 Springfields covered in Cosmoline being issued.

Sgt. Alvin York (Gary Cooper) receiving a new 1903 Springfield Rifle covered in Cosmoline

Sgt. York cleaning his M1903 Springfield.

York qualifying with a M1903 Springfield. The curved bed of the tangent-leaf M1903 "Dixon" rear sight can be seen, along with the absence of the windage adjustment knob at the front of the M1906 sight's fixed base.

US soldiers charging from the trenches with 1903 Springfield Rifle.

Sgt. York firing a M1903 Springfield. The upper barrel band screw on this rifle is located at the rear of the band as on the M1917 Enfield, rather than in the middle of the band as on the M1903.

York reloading his rifle during the climactic battle.

Kentucky Rifle

George York (Dickie Moore) is seen with a percussion cap Kentucky Rifle during Alvin's early years.

Kentucky Rifle - .36 caliber

George York (Dickie Moore) carrying a Kentucky Rifle.

The rifle is revealed to be a percussion version.

York during the competition.

York fires the percussion rifle.

Second view of the rifle during the competition.

Lebel Mle. 1886

French troops are armed with Lebel 1886s.

Fusil Lebel Modèle 1886-M93 - 8x50mmR Lebel

French troops with Lebel 1886s at attention.

Mauser Gewehr 1898

German soldiers are primarily armed with the Mauser Gewehr 1898.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

German soldiers carrying Gewehr 1898s.

German soldiers firing Gewehr 1898s from a trench.

German soldiers firing Gewehr 1898s from a trench.

Various Percussion Rifles

During the shooting competition, a number of percussion rifles are seen.

Machine Guns

Maxim MG 08

German forces are armed with the Maxim MG08 .

Maxim MG 08 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A German soldier behind a pair of Maxim MG08s.

German soldiers firing a pair of Maxim MG08s from a machine gun nest.

German soldiers firing a Maxim MG08 from a trench.

Rear view of a Maxim and its 'sledge' mount. Note that even though York (on the left) has clear access to the fully loaded MG, he still uses his rifle to attack the Germans.

Vickers Mk. I

The Vickers Mk.I machine gun is used by US forces.

Vickers Mark I - .303 British

US soldiers manning a Vickers.