La Bandera

La Bandera Original French poster Country France Directed by Julien Duvivier Release Date 1935 Language French Spanish Studio SNC Main Cast Character Actor Pierre Gilieth Jean Gabin Aischa la Slaoui Annabella Fernando Lucas Robert Le Vigan Marcel Mulot Raymond Aimos Capt. Weller Pierre Renoir

La Bandera (the Spanish for "the banner" but also means a battalion in Spanish Foreign Legion) is a 1935 French drama film directed by Julien Duvivier and starring Jean Gabin as Pierre Gilieth, a French criminal who joins the Spanish Foreign Legion.

The following weapons were used in the film La Bandera:

Handguns

Star Ruby Pistol

Capt. Weller's (Pierre Renoir) service sidearm is a Gabilondo Ruby pistol, a member of wide Ruby family, carried in Mle 1916 holster. In one scene he gives it to Pierre Gilieth (Jean Gabin).

Gabilondo Ruby pistol - .32 ACP

Capt. Weller draws his pistol...

...and hands it to Gilieth.

Gilieth holds the pistol.

Rifles

Gewehr 1888

Many legionnaires are armed with Gewehr 1888 rifles. These rifles weren't used by Spanish troops in reality but the French moviemakers had a access to large stocks of German firearms, captured by French army in 1918.

Gewehr 1888 in original configuration - 7.9x57mm Patronen-88

Gewehr 88 rifles in rack.

Gewehr 88 is seen at the left.

Marcel Mulot's Gewehr 88 on the bed.

Pierre Gilieth cleans his Gewehr 88.

Mauser Gewehr 1898

Another Mauser rifle, used by legionnaires, is a Mauser Gewehr 1898. Like with Gewerh 88, these German rifles are French booty of Great War.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A legionnaire in the middle holds a Gewehr 98.

Lange-Visier sight can be seen.

A legionnaire carries his Gewehr 98 on the shoulder.

Mulot holds a Gewehr 98.

Mulot (at the left) cleans his Gewehr 98.

1893 Spanish Mauser

1893 Spanish Mauser rifles are also seen in hands of legionnaires.

1893 Spanish Mauser - 7x57mm Mauser

A legionnaire at the left holds a rifle that resembles a 1893 Spanish Mauser.

Legionnaires with M1893 rifles stand in formation.

1916 Spanish Mauser

An 1916 Spanish Mauser is hold by Fernando Lucas in the final scene.

M1916 Spanish Mauser - 7x57mm Mauser. Note bent bolt handle and tangent leaf sight.

Machine Guns

Maxim MG08/15

The garrison of the outpost in Moroccan desert is equipped with a Maxim MG08/15 light machine gun. Like with Mauser 88 and 98 rifles, this German machine gun appears to be a French booty of Great War.

Maxim MG08/15 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Gilieth and Mulot at the MG08/15.

Gilieth fires MG08/15. Note the empty belt.

Gilieth holds MG08/15. Now the belt is full with cartridges.

Hotchkiss M1914

Hotchkiss M1914 machine guns are seen in several scenes, including the attack of Spanish troops in the final scene. Unlike many other firearms in the film, Hotchkiss M1914 machine guns in 7x57mm caliber were really used by Spanish Army.

M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun with Tripod - 8x50mm R

Hotchkiss M1914 on position.

Legionnaires fire at Moroccan snipers.

Hotchkiss supports the attack of legionnaires in the final scene.

Reloading.

A close view of firing Hotchkiss.

Hotchkiss M1909

Several Hotchkiss M1909 are carried by legionnaires. Unlike Hotchkiss M1914s, M1909s are not seen in action.

Hotchkiss Model 1909 - 8x50mm R

A legionnaire carries a Hotchkiss M1909.

A closer view of the machine gun.

A typical buttstock can be seen.