Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp (1994)

Wyatt Earp is a 1994 Western starring Kevin Costner as the title character, the legendary lawman of the Old West who was made famous for the infamous shootout at the O.K. Corral. The film was directed by Lawrence Kasdan and the cast included Dennis Quaid, Michael Madsen, and Gene Hackman. The movie was released six months following 1993's Tombstone, a rival film about Earp that Costner originally was involved in, but would later feature Kurt Russell in the role. Unlike that film, Wyatt Earp encompassed the entire life of the lawman in addition to the infamous shootout.

The following weapons were used in the film Wyatt Earp:

Single Action Army

As with many Westerns, the Single Action Army is the most commonly seen gun in the film, in the hands (or holsters) of nearly every major and minor character.

Single Action Army Quickdraw Model (4.75" barrel)

Wyatt Earp (Kevin Costner) is seen multiple times throughout the film using Single Action Army revolvers. During his early years, he is seen with the Quick Draw model.

Colt Single Action Army w/ 4.75" barrel, referred to as "Quick-Draw" or "Civilian" model.

Nicholas Earp (Gene Hackman) gives Wyatt a 4 3/4" Quickdraw SAA when he bails him out of jail for horse thievery.

Single Action Army Artillery Model (5.5" barrel)

The Artillery Model appears to be the most prominent model seen in the film. Mid-way through the film, Wyatt is seen to have selected an Artillery with a 5 1/2" barrel as his left hand gun. It should be noted that rumors of Earp's original Buntline being used in the film seem to be erroneous, as Earp's buntline was a 12" barrel model, while the film only exhibits 7 1/2" length barreled SAAs, it could be that his other pistols were used rather than his original Buntline.

Colt Single Action Army "Artillery" w/ 5 1/2" barrel. - .45 LC.

The town sheriff gives Wyatt his 5 1/2" Artillery SAA when he is too cowardly to arrest an armed drunken citizen. Wyatt charges into the saloon with the SAA and shoots the drunk in the leg before knocking him unconcious and dragging him out for the Sheriff to arrest.

Wyatt spins around with his Artillery SAA drawn.

Morgan Earp (Linden Ashby) with a Quickdraw and an Artillery drawn akimbo style.

Ed Masterston (Bill Pullman) orders a man in the town to surrender his Artillery SAA.

Ed Masterson fires his Artillery SAA at the man who just shot him, which at such close range amazingly set his coat aflame.

Frank Mclaurey (Rex Linn) with an Artillery SAA.

Billy Clanton (Gabriel Folse) fires his Artillery SAA during the O.K. Corral gunfight.

Virgil Earp (Michael Madsen) fires his nickel plated Artillery SAA during the O.K. Corral gunfight. Virgil too was believed to have been using a Schofield during the gunfight.

Single Action Army Cavalry Model (7.5" barrel)

Mid-way through the film, Wyatt Earp is seen to have selected a Cavalry with an 7 1/2" barrel as his right hand gun.

Colt Single Action Army Cavalry with 7 1/2" barrel - .45 LC.

Curly Bill Brocius (Lewis Smith) shoots Fred White with his Cavalry SAA after doing a reverse from butt to barrel trick.

Morgan Earp draws his two SAAs during the infamous Gunfight at the O.K Corral.

Wyatt fires his Cavalry during the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. For some reason Costner tends to fire handguns way above his eyeline. Some historians believe Wyatt actually was using a Smith and Wesson Schofield during the shootout instead of his Cavalry.

Morgan fires his two SAAs after being hit in the leg during the gunfight.

Johnny Behan (Mark Harmon) points his 7 1/2" Cavalry SAA at Wyatt.

Mattie Balylock (Mare Winningham) fires an Artillery SAA at Wyatt after saying it is not fair he hasn't been hit like his brothers but luckily misses.

Wyatt empties his Cavalry into Frank Stillwell (John Dennis Johnston) at the train station.

Wyatt after killing Indian Charlie (Scotty Augare) with his Cavalry SAA.

Wyatt dual-wields his Artillery with his Cavalry when he is ambushed in the canyons. (Here it appears that the gun has clicked empty and the recoil is accidently faked.

Wyatt holds back a lynch mob with his Cavalry and Artillery akimbo stlye and claims if anyone shoots, he's taking at least 10 or 12 men with him.

Colt Sheriff's Model Single Action Army (3.5" barrel)

John "Doc" Holliday (Dennis Quaid) uses a Colt Sheriff's Model SAA revolver with a 3.5" barrel and nickel finish as his weapon of choice and uses it several times in the film, including the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Historians have proven that during the gunfight, Doc Holliday was actualy used a 7.5" Cavalry SAA, not a Colt Sheriff's Model. He was believed to have carried a Cavalry SAA right up until he died in the sanitarium at age 36.

Colt Sheriff's Model Single Action Army w/ 3.5" barrel - .45 LC.

Doc Holliday fires his Colt Sheriff's SAA 3.5" during the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Doc fires his Colt Sheriff's Model.

Doc fires his Colt Sheriff's Model at the train station.

Doc fires his Sheriff's Model at Indian Charlie while on horseback.

Doc fires his Sheriff's Model during the Canyon Ambush.

Doc with his Sheriff's Model after the ambush.

Starr 1858 Army

At a young age, Wyatt Earp (Kevin Costner) is seen with a Starr 1858 Army double/single action percussion revolver tucked in his belt.

Starr 1858 Army - .44 Caliber.

A Starr 1858 Army revolver is seen tucked in Wyatt's belt.

Stevens 10ga Double Barreled Shotgun

The gun given to Doc Holliday by Virgil Earp is a Stevens 10 gauge shotgun right before the Gunfight at the O.K Corral. According to historians, the gun was borrowed by Wyatt Earp from Fred Dodge and was infact used during the infamous gunfight.

Stevens 10 gauge double barreled shotgun borrowed from Fred Dodge by Wyatt Earp and used during the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral by Doc Holliday. Serial #927. (Source: Photocopied from "The Peacemakers: Arms and Adventure in the American West" by R.L. Wilson.)

Virgil Earp (Michael Madsen) holds the 10 gauge before the gunfight.

Virgil hands Doc the 10 gauge. Note three triggers.

Doc Holliday with the 10 gauge during the Gunfight at the O.K. Coral.

Doc fires the 10 gauge. Visit the Discussion page for an opinion regarding Doc using the shotgun.

Colt Model 1878

A Colt Model 1878 Shotgun is seen used by Wyatt Earp several times in the film including stopping Ruffians in Dodge City and killing assassins during the Canyon Ambush.

Colt 1878 shotgun - 12 gauge.

Wyatt fires his Colt Model 1878 into the air to stop the Ruffians in Dodge City.

Wyatt points the Colt 1878 at the Ruffians.

Wyatt tells the Ruffian leader that if he does not obey the laws, he will empty both barrels into him and let his whole crew see what he had for breakfast.

BOOM! "My name is Wyatt Earp! It all ends now!"

Wyatt empties both barrels of his Colt 1878 shotgun into the man that murdered his brother Morgan at the train station.

Wyatt fires his 1878 shotgun during the Canyon Ambush.

Wyatt with his 1878 shotgun.

J. Stevens and Company 1878 Shotgun

One of Wyatt's deputies is seen armed with a J. Stevens and Company 1878 shotgun. Johhny Behand is also seen using one while waiting to arrest Wyatt.

J. Stevens and Company 1878 shotgun - 12 gauge.

One of Wyatt Earp's Deputies armed with a Stevens 1878 shotgun.

Johhny Behan waits to arrest Wyatt with his Stevens 1878 in hand.

Sawed-Off Shotgun

One of the assassins who shoots Virgil Earp and cripples his right arm is seen using a Sawed-Off Shotgun.

An assassin armed with a sawed-off shotgun.

Remington 1875

Wyatt Earp (Kevin Costner) uses a Remington 1875 revolver early in the film and draws it to hold up a man who tries to force him to drink whiskey and goes for his gun when he denies.

Remington 1875 - .45 Long Colt.

Wyatt points his Remington 1875 at an unruly man when he goes for his gun.

Wyatt coaxes the man out of the bar with his Remington 1875.

Colt 1851 Navy (w/ Richards-Mason conversion)

A man named Ed Ross (Martin Kove) tried to draw his Colt 1851 Navy revolver with a Richards-Mason Cartridge Conversion on Wyatt after hearing a drunk claim Wyatt was looking for a fight. Instead of drawing his Starr revolver, Wyatt grabs a Pool ball and throws it at the man's throat. He then takes the gun for himself and practices drawing it during the Fourth of July fireworks show. Based on Wyatt's age and the time, this gun is likely an anachronism. -Close call, he was born in 1848 or so I believe so while it could go either way, it is probably an anachronism. (Wyatt Earp was born in 1848 and the patent for the first Richards-Mason conversion was in 1871 with a second improved patent in 1872. So Wyatt would have been about 24 years old when the first Richards-Mason conversion Patent was awarded.)

Colt 1851 Navy with Richards-Mason Conversion - .38 Long Colt.

Wyatt practices drawing the Colt 1851 Navy with R-M cartridge conversion.

Wyatt aims down the 1851 cartridge gun.

Wyatt aims the Navy pistol, illuminated by the fireworks.

"Boom."

Colt 1860 Army (w/ Richards-Mason conversion)

Two drunkards settle an argument at the start of the film by drawing Colt 1860 Army revolvers with Richards-Mason cartridge conversions (which are anachronistic to the time). The unruly man who tries to force Wyatt to drink whiskey tries to reach for a nickel Army cartridge gun but Wyatt draws faster and makes him leave. Big Nose Kate (Isabella Rossellini) is later seen using one, which she fired some shots at Doc Holliday for slapping her, but Wyatt Earp knocks Doc out and take the gun from her.

Colt 1860 Army with R-M cartridge conversion - .44 caliber.

A drunkard draws and fires his Colt Army with R-M conversion.

The drunkard lay dead with his Army cartridge at his side.

The other drunkard lay dying with his Army cartridge in hand. He looks to be hit in the femoral artery, which explains why he bled out so fast.

The unruly man in the bar goes to draw his Army cartridge.

Big Nose Kate points a Colt Army cartridge at Doc Holliday after he slaps her.

Wyatt takes the Army cartridge from Kate.

Remington Vest Pocket

When Ed and Bat Masterson confront two men and ask them to surrender their firearms, Wyatt runs up and knocks them both out. Ed asks if it was necessary and when Wyatt finds a derringer, likely a Remington Vest Pocket, ready to fire in one of their hands, he makes it clear that it was absolutely necessary.