A Bullet for the General

Cinema Poster

Country	Italy
Directed by	Damiano Damiani
Release Date	1966
Language	Italian

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Chuncho Munos	Gian Maria Volonté
Bill 'Niño' Tate	Lou Castel
El Santo	Klaus Kinski
Adelita	Martine Beswick

A Bullet for the General (original title El Chuncho, quién sabe? or simply Quién sabe? that means "Who knows?") is a 1966 Italian action movie directed by Damiano Damiani. The story takes place during the Mexican revolution (1910-17).

The following weapons were used in the film A Bullet for the General:

Revolvers

Single Action Army

Single Action Army revolver is used by several characters including El Chuncho (Gian Maria Volonté), most of his men and Mexican Lt. Ferreira (Aldo Sambrell).

Colt Single Action Army w/ 5.5" barrel known as the "Artillery" model. The most common of the SAA revolvers as it is just the right length. - .45 Long Colt.

Lt. Ferreira (Aldo Sambrell) with his "Artillery" model SAA.

The grip of the revolver is seen.

El Chuncho (Gian Maria Volonté) with his "Artillery" model SAA revolver in th final scene.

El Chuncho's men with "Artillery" model SAA revolvers.

A close view on the Single Action Army.

Smith & Wesson Military & Police

The personal weapon of Bill Tate (Lou Castel), called "Niño" ("The Kid") by his Mexican comrades in arms, is Smith & Wesson Military & Police revolver carries in shoulder holster. Military and Police revolvers are also seen in hands of several Mexican officers. The movie was filmed in Spain so these revolvers can actually be Spanish copies of "Military and Police" (like "Ruby Extra" by Gabilondo, "Alfa" by Armero Especialistas Reunidas and various models by Orbea Hermanos).

Smith & Wesson Model M&P Revolver with 5" Barrel - .38 Special.

Bill Tate (Lou Castel) holds his revolver in the scene in the train.

A close view on Tate's revolver.

Tate shows how to shoot a revolver with chained hands.

A grip of Tate's revolver can be seen.

Tate shoots his revolver at a governmental officer.

A Mexican officer, who is in charge of the firing squad, fires his S&W at the man sentenced to death after the soldiers missed.

A Mexican officer aims his revolver at bounded El Chuncho.

Rifles

Spanish Mauser M1893

Most governmental troops and guerrillas are armed with Spanish Mauser M1893 rifles.

1893 Spanish Mauser - 7x57mm Mauser.

Mexican soldiers with Mauser M93 rifles. A close view on the bolt.

Mexican soldiers with Mauser M93 rifles in the train.

Another close view on the bolt.

El Chuncho (Gian Maria Volonté) aims his rifle at the Mexican governmental officer. Note that he raised the sight which is common in real life but rarely seen in movies.

An open bolt of the rifle is seen.

A soldier with Mauser rifle with bayonet.

El Chuncho trains peasants how to handle a rifle.

Spanish Mauser M1895 Carbine

Bill Tate uses the M1895 Carbine.

1895 Spanish Mauser Carbine - 7x57mm Mauser

Bill Tate aims his carbine loaded with a golden bullet (see Trivia section).

The carbine is seen better on a promotional image.

Winchester Model 1873

Several of El Chuncho's men are armed with Winchester Model 1873 rifles.

Uberti replica of a Winchester 1873 rifle

One of El Chuncho's men with Winchester Model 1873.

Garate El Tigre

Many of El Chuncho's men are armed with Garate El Tigre rifles. These Spanish copies of the Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine are often seen in Spaghetti Westerns.

Garate El Tigre - .44-40 WCF.

Bill Tate (Lou Castel) with Garate El Tigre.

The same scene.

El Chuncho with both 1893 Spanish Mauser and Garate El Tigre rifles.

One of El Chuncho's men with Garate El Tigre.

A close view on the Garate El Tigre.

Adelita (Martine Beswick) fires her Garate El Tigre.

A boy with Garate El Tigre rifle.

Machine guns

Hotchkiss M1914 Machine Gun

Hotchkiss M1914 was captured by El Chuncho's band and used against the governmental troops. This machine gun is most likely the Spanish version in 7x57mm caliber which is historically right because the same model was used during the Mexican Revolution. In one scene El Chuncho correctly said that this machine gun use Mauser cartridges. The process of loading and firing this machine gun is shown very accurate. Maybe this is the best appearance of Hotchkiss M1914 in cinema.

M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun with Tripod.

Bill Tate (Lou Castel) readies Hotchkiss M1914 for battle. El Chuncho (Gian Maria Volonté) lubricates the 24-round strip. This process was necessary for the proper functioning of the machine gun. The caliber looks strangely small even for Spanish 7mm.