A Rumor of War

A Rumor of War (1980)

A Rumor of War was the 1980 television adaptation of the bestselling memoir of Lt. Philip Caputo (portrayed by Brad Davis), a Marine officer who served during the early days of the US involvement in the war in Vietnam. The majority of the scenes set in Vietnam were in reality filmed in Mexico.

The following weapons were used in the miniseries A Rumor of War:

Beretta BM59

The majority of the US Marines in the film are seen carrying what appear to be Beretta BM59 rifles, most likely due to their resemblance to the M14, the actual rifle carried by Marines at the beginning of the war. Lt. Philip Caputo (Brad Davis) is also seen with the rifle.

Beretta BM59

The Marine with the Beretta rifle. This rifle was chosen due to its resemblance to the M14 rifle.

Lt. Philip Caputo (Brad Davis) opens fire with the Beretta rifle.

Fake M14 Rifles (mocked up from M1 Garand)

Numerous US Marines are also seen carrying faux M14 rifles, which were built up from stock M1 Garand rifles, with an M14 style flash hider added, a fake box magazine and the addition of a faux M14 top handguard on top of the Garand wooden handguard. Lt. Murph McCoy (Keith Carradine) also is seen with the rifle. Similar rifles were used in the film Escape from the Planet of the Apes.

M14 rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO

Marines on a transport carry the "faux" M14 rifles.

M1 Carbine

Lt. Caputo is briefly seen with an M1 Carbine during the attack on the Marine base.

Valmet M71S

As what was common for productions in the 1970's and 1980's, the Valmet M71S rifle is seen used as a substitute for the AK-47. The rifle is discovered in a hidden weapons cache when the Marines search a village.

A Valmet M71S chambered in 5.56x45mm (.223). The Valmet was also offered in 7.62x39mm

Colt M1911

Several officers and NCO's, including Lt. Philip Caputo (Brad Davis) and Sgt. Coleman are seen carrying the M1911A1 pistol as their sidearm.

Original Colt M1911 (dated 1913) - .45 acp

Sgt. Ned Coleman (Brian Dennehy) cleans his M1911 while speaking with Lt. Caputo.

Winchester Model 1897 Trench shotgun

Several NCO's including Sgt. Ned Coleman (Brian Dennehy) are seen carrying Winchester Model 1897 Trench shotguns.

Winchester Model 1897 "Trench Gun" - 12 Gauge. This is an original mint condition 1935 Manufacture commercial trench gun by Winchester.

Sgt. Ned Coleman (Brian Dennehy) carrying the Winchester Model 1897 Trench shotgun.

Sgt. William Holgren (Lane Smith) holds the Winchester shotgun.

M60

The M60 is seen carried by Marines as well as mounted in Huey helicopters.

Woodward (Perry Lang) carries the M60 while on patrol.

A M60 is manned by a Marine gunner aboard a Huey. In reality, the Huey did not enter into service until later in the war and not the more modern variant seen here.

The M60 is seen behind Lt. Caputo (Brad Davis).