Mayerling

Mayerling Theatrical release poster Country France UK Directed by Terence Young Release Date 1968 Studio Les Films Corona Winchester Distributor MGM Main Cast Character Actor Crown Prince Rudolf Omar Sharif Baroness Maria Vetsera Catherine Deneuve Emperor Franz Josef James Mason Empress Elisabeth Ava Gardner Albert Prince Of Wales James Robertson Justice Countess Larish Geneviève Page Princess Stephanie Andréa Parisy

Mayerling is a 1968 movie directed by Terence Young and starring Omar Sharif, Catherine Deneuve and Ava Gardner. The film is based on the real story of Austrian Crown Prince Rudolf and his mistress, Baroness Maria Vetsera, and their tragical death in the hunting lodge at Mayerling in 30 January 1889.

The following weapons were used in the film Mayerling:

Revolvers

Mle 1892 Revolver

A Mle 1892 Revolver is seen in hands of Crown Prince Rudolf (Omar Sharif) when he fires at bottles and mirrors, being drunk. The gun is anachronistic for late 1880s.

Modèle d’Ordonnance Mle 1892 Revolver - 8x27mm SR

Smith & Wesson Military & Police

In the final scene at Mayerling Crown Prince Rudolf uses Smith & Wesson Military & Police revolver with 4" barrel that also doesn't fit for 1889 (in reality the revolver used during the Mayerling Incident was a Gasser-Kropatschek). A smaller version in .32 caliber is also possible but less credible as the revolver seems to be large enough for K-frame.

Smith & Wesson Model M&P Revolver with 4" barrel - .38 Special

Rudolf aims his revolver at sleeping Maria.

A good view of the revolver.

Rudolf prepares to shoot himself.

Unidentified revolvers

A pair of similar looking revolvers is briefly seen in Rudolf's apartments. They seem to have folding triggers.

Two revolvers are seen on the table.

Rifles

Mosin Nagant M1891 Rifle

The soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian army carry Mosin Nagant M1891 rifles, which is completely incorrect (Austrian infantry rifle in late 1880s was Steyr Mannlicher M1886, the predecessor of Steyr Mannlicher M1895). During the assassination attempt the shooter is also armed with a Mosin Nagant M1891 rifle.

Russian Mosin Nagant M1891 Dragoon Rifle - 7.62x54mm R

The barrel is seen during the assassination attempt.

A plainclothes police agent holds the rifle, taken from the shooter.

A soldier holds his rifle on shooting range (seen at the right).

Crown Prince Rudolf examines an Austrian soldier's rifle. Note the position of sling holes that match the Dragoon version of M1891.

Austo-Hungarian infantry march with rifles with bayonets.

Lebel Mle 1886

During the street riot in Vienna some soldiers carry rifles that appear to be French Lebel Mle 1886, never issued to Austro-Hungarian army.

Lebel Mle 1886 - 8x50mmR

What appears to be a Lebel is seen at the right.

Another view of supposed Lebel at the right.

Mannlicher/FEG 31M

During the riot in Vienna the soldiers carry Mannlicher M1895-style short rifles. The front sights with large protectors allow to identify them as Hungarian 31M version (also known as M95/31).

Austrian Mannlicher M1895/30 Short Rifle - 8x56mmR Mannlicher. Hungarian 31M differs only in the shape of front sights.

Short rifles are seen in center.

A good view of a short rifle in center.

Same short rifles are seen in center (protected front sight can be seen) and at the right.

Unidentified rifle

Full lenght rifles that are possibly genuine Mannlicher M1895s are distantly seen in hands of soldiers in one scene.

For comparison: Original Austro-Hungarian Steyr Mannlicher M1895 - 8x50mmR Mannlicher

Full lenght rifle is seen in hands of a soldier at the background. It is fitted with a short sword bayonet and seem to have protruding magazine.

Shotguns

Double Barreled Shotgun

During the scene of the winter hunt, double barreled shotguns are seen in hands of Crown Prince Rudolf (Omar Sharif), Emperor Franz Josef (James Mason) and Albert Prince Of Wales (James Robertson Justice).

Emperor Franz Josef (in center) and Albert Prince Of Wales (at the right).

Rudolf aims at a deer.

Several long guns, including double barreled shotguns, are seen in Rudolf's apartments.

Single Barreled Shotgun

Several long guns, including single barreled shotguns, are seen in Rudolf's apartments.

Trivia

During the maneuvers of Austro-Hungarian army field cannons are seen. They appear to be anachronistic Soviet 76.2mm M1902/30.

The cannon on position.

It fires. No recoil is seen, so the muzzle flame must be a result of pyrotechnical charge.

A battery of field artillery.

A gun on march.