Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Sherlock Holmes is the 2009 feature film adaptation of the famous literary character created by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Directed by Guy Ritchie, the film stars Robert Downey Jr. as the legendary detective and Jude Law as his assistant Watson. The weapons were supplied by UK-based movie armourers Bapty and Co. (with stunt versions by Tarver Productions). The sequel Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was released in 2011.

The following weapons were used in the film Sherlock Holmes (2009):

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Webley No. 5 "Express" Revolver

Sherlock Holmes' (Robert Downey Jr.) revolver, though of a style colloquially termed a 'Webley RIC' (after 'Royal Irish Constabulary'), is technically a Webley No.5 'Express' model by the same maker. This was available from the 1880s onwards in either .360 or .38 caliber. Holmes' example has a 4" barrel, an early-style deeply-fluted cylinder (deeper front-to-rear than either the Bulldog or the true RIC), and a contoured frame at the lower edge ahead of the trigger guard. It also features a flattened swivel-type rammer, squared-off butt with lanyard ring, and a nickel finish.

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Nickle-plated Webley No.5 with Adams type ejector.

Webley No.5 'RIC' - .360 caliber.

Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) unloads Holmes' Webley No.5 'RIC'.

Webley Bulldog

Several characters in the film employ Webley Bulldog Revolvers. Based upon their short 2.5" barrels and lack of a rammer/ejector, those wielded by Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) and American Ambassador Standish (William Hope) are most likely to be No.3 'R.I.C.' models in .442 calibre. These weapons fired a black powder cartridge and were gate loaders, unlike the later and more memorable "top break" Webleys.

Webley Bulldog - .32 caliber.

Holmes and Watson fire with their revolvers.

Watson (Jude Law) with revolver. This one does have an ejecting rod.

Ambassador Standish (William Hope) with his revolver before being set ablaze by "black magic".

Holmes and Watson with their Webleys as featured in a promotional still.

In a publicity photo, Watson aims his revolver.

In a flashback, Luke Reordan (Oran Gurel) loads Standish's Webley Bulldog with specially rigged blanks.

Pryse revolver

On the carriage ride to the "raid" in the opening scene of the movie, Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) can be seen loading a Pryse patent revolver. Based upon the form of the front part of the frame, it is most likely the model of 1877, and may be a Webley-built gun, or any number of licencees and copyists.

Webley-Pryse No. 4 revolver

Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) snaps shut his Pryse revolver

Lestrade's Pryse revolver after snapping it shut.

Enfield Mark II Revolver

A henchman disarmed by Holmes in the opening scene is armed with an Enfield Mk II .476 caliber revolver with its distinctive lower frame, designed to accommodate a cylinder which slides forward to allow reloading.

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Enfield Mk. II - .476 Enfield.

The henchman fires his Enfield II at Holmes, but accidentally hits one of his comrades.

Enfield Mark II being held by Blackwood's henchman before being disarmed by Holmes.

Belgian Bulldog Pocket Revolver

It appears that Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) uses a Belgian Pocket Revolver with foldable trigger and what appears to be pearl grips. The screen-used piece is in an unknown caliber, but .38 is likely based on the frame size. An image of the resin/rubber stunt versions used in the movie can be seen at the Tarver Productions website (link below).

A Belgian version of Webley Bulldog with folding trigger - .320

Adler abruptly sabotages Holmes' attempt to use stealth on Blackwood's henchmen by initially firing at them.

Adler (Rachel McAdams) shoots at Dredger, but only puts holes in his bowler hat.

A publicity photo gives a better angle on the revolver.

C. Sharps Pepperbox

Professor Moriarty (actor's identity unknown) is seen deploying, from a concealed wrist-mounted rig, a (probably reproduction) C. Sharps patent Model 1A four-barreled pepperbox type pistol in .22 rimfire with engraved brass frame. It's interesting, that a Sharps Pepperbox was used in another Holmes movie - Sherlock Holmes: Hound of The Baskervilles in 1988.

Sharps Pepperbox - .22 LR.

Moriarty aims his Sharps Pepperbox at Holmes (in disguise as a beggar).

Howdah Pistol

The Home Secretary, Lord Coward (Hans Matheson) has a large-caliber (most likely .577) centerfire Howdah Pistol by one of the usual makers (e.g. famed shotgun makers Purdey).

Howdah - .577 pistol.

Coward loads his Howdah pistol.

Coward (Hans Matheson) searches for Holmes.

Webley Mk I

The actual police sidearms of 1891 were the older Webley M.P. Model in .450 Adams. They are partially supplemented by the Army issue Webley Mark I (in .442 Enfield).

Webley Mk I - .455 Webley

Police with long arms and revolvers

To Lestrade's left, Constable Clark (William Houston) with a revolver.

Nagant M1895

This appears to be a Nagant M1895 Revolver. This would normally allow the weapon to be effectively suppressed due to the Nagant's gas seal design. However, Holmes' homemade suppressor seems to be ineffective, as it can be heard booming throughout the apartment, possibly due to the improperly-fitted gas seal of a homemade design. This type of weapon is anachronistic for this film, seeing as it is set in 1891. The prop used was a 1941 Tula-made example.

Actual NKVD-issued suppressed Nagant revolver - 7.62 x 38mm Nagant

Holmes's home-made (and rather ineffective) suppressed Nagant revolver - note Tula star and 1941 date. Does this depiction of a drug-addled character portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. who is making an ineffectual suppressor for a revolver remind you of anything?

The holes made by the bullets of Holmes' Nagant revolver form the initials "V.R.".
Trivia: The initials stand for "Victoria Regina" (better known as Queen Victoria, or Queen Alexandrina Victoria), the monarch that ruled the United Kingdom during the time period this movie is set in (i.e. 1891). This habit of Holmes's is referenced in the story "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual", and also reproduced in Season 1 of the series Sherlock.