Darby's Rangers

’’Darby’ Rangers’’ (1958)

Darby’s Rangers (1958) was the next-to-last film directed by William A. Wellman. It was also the first starring role for actor James Garner. The movie chronicles the creation of the US Army Rangers and starred Etchika Choureau, Jack Warden, Edd Byrnes (as Edward Byrnes), Peter Brown, Stuart Whitman, and Murray Hamilton. Col. William Orlando Darby (Garner) envisions an elite Army commando group as the “tip of the Army’s spear,” thus creating the Rangers.
The following weapons were used in the film Darby’s Rangers:

M1 Garand

Throughout the film, Rangers carry the M1 Garand.

M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06

The film is dedicated to the US Army Rangers.

Col. Darby (James Garner) arrives in Scotland for Ranger training. Sgt. Sims Delancey (Murray Hamilton) left, and Sfc. Hank Bishop (Stuart Whitman), right, stand behind Darby.

Rangers begin training in Scotland.

Rangers storm the beaches of North Africa.

Rangers assault an Italian gun emplacement in Sicily.

Urban warfare in Italy.

Ranger sharpshooters take out an Italian sniper.

Facing the Germans in Italy.

M1911A1

Throughout the film, Rangers carry a Colt M1911A1 pistol.

World War II Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP

Darby (James Garner) with the Colt M1911A12 pistol.

M1 Carbine

Throughout the film, Army Rangers carry the M1 Carbine.

Korean War Era M1 Carbine, with Birch Stock, Adjustable sight, bayonet lug, and twin magazine pouch - .30 Carbine. Most of the World War II variations of the M1 Carbine were sent back to the Military Arsenals and retrofitted with the Bayonet Lug and adjustable rear sight. This is the version seen after late 1945 and all the way until the 1960s. This version is seen most often in World War II movies, despite being anachronistic for most World War II battles.

Browning M1919

Throughout the film, Ranger jeeps carry a pedestal mounted Browning M1919 machine gun.

Browning M1919A4 on an M31C pedestal mount - .30-06 Springfield

Colt M1928A1 Thompson

Throughout the film, US Army Rangers carry the Colt M1921 Thompson submachine gun.

M1921AC Thompson with a horizontal fore grip and 30-round magazine - .45ACP

Cpl. Rollo Burns (Peter Brown) bids farewell to his girl, Peggy McTavish (Venetia Stevenson) and her father, Sgt. McTavish (Torin Thatcher).

Bren light machine gun

Sgt. McTavish (Torin Thatcher) uses a Bren gun for Ranger training.

Bren light machine gun .303 British‎

Browning M1917

A live Browning M1917 is used to train Army Rangers.

Browning M1917 machine gun with tripod and ammo box - .30-06‎

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Karabiner 98k

An Italian sniper uses a Karabiner 98k to pin down Army Rangers.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

MG42

Throughout the film, German soldiers fire a Mauser MG42 machine gun.

MG42 Machine Gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser

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M101 Howitzer

A damaged M101 Howitzer is seen in battle footage.

M101 Howitzer - 105x372mm

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Mk 2 Hand Grenade

Throughout the film, Army Rangers carry the Mk 2 hand grenade.

Mk 2 "Pineapple" High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade‎

MSgt. Saul Rosen (Jack Warden) carries the Mk 2 hand grenade into battle.

Sfc. Hank Bishop (Stuart Whitman) carries the Mk 2 hand grenade into battle.

Cpl. Rollo Burns carries the Mk 2 hand grenade into battle.

Type 67 stick grenade

German soldiers have Type 67 stick grenades.

Type 67 High-Explosive Fragmentation stick grenade