Tom Horn

Theatrical release poster

Country	USA
Directed by	William Wiard
Release Date	1980
Language	English
Studio	First Artists Solar Productions
Distributor	Warner Bros.

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Tom Horn	Steve McQueen
John C. Coble	Richard Farnsworth
U.S. Marshal Joe Belle	Billy Green Bush
Sheriff Sam Creedmore	Slim Pickens
Stablehand	Elisha Cook Jr.
Thomas Burke	Harry Northup

Tom Horn is a 1980 Western that marked the second to last movie that Steve McQueen starred in prior to his passing. This movie is a somewhat fictionalized account of a former scout and gunman who was found guilty of the 1901 murder of a fourteen year old sheepherder named Willie Nickell in Wyoming. Horn was executed for the murder in 1903. Horn served as a civilian Army scout in the Apache wars in Arizona and served as a Pinkerton detective later.He is believed to have been involved in the Johnson County War on the side of the private army funded by the cattle barons. He was working (again) for cattle barons in Wyoming at the time of Willie Nickell's murder. Part of his work was to deal with sheep farmers.There is much myth and controversy surrounding Tom Horn. This movie incorporates both myth and what was then current historical research. Though not a success when it was released in the spring of 1980 the movie has come to assume something of a cult status in the years that have followed. Also notable for featuring the Winchester Model 1876 which is used by McQueen throughout the movie.

The following weapons were used in the film Tom Horn:

Rifles

Winchester Model 1876

Tom Horn (Steve McQueen) uses the Winchester Model 1876 rifle as his weapon of choice throughout the movie. Prior to this film, the Winchester Model 1876 was rarely featured in Hollywood westerns. The Winchester Models 1873, 1892 and 1894 were the rifles that got all the attention.

Actual Winchester Model 1876 used by Steve McQueen during the filming of the movie.Caliber is 45-75 WCF. Serial number is #22700 (Mfd.1882). Photo and information from Long Mountain Outfitters.

Steve McQueen as Tom Horn carrying the Winchester Model 1876

Steve McQueen as Tom Horn holding the Winchester Model 1876. Photo shows how large the 1876 is.

Closeup of the Winchester Model 1876 rifle's receiver as Horn loads the weapon.

Tom Horn (Steve McQueen) raises the sight on Winchester Model 1876 rifle

Horn uses his rifle while tracking down suspected rustlers.

Winchester Model 1892

Not surprisingly, the Winchester Model 1892 is also used by different characters in the movie. Unlike many classic Hollywood westerns set during the 1860's and 1870's (which had characters using the 1892), the use of the 1892 is correct for the time period of the story.