The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Shawshank Redemption is the 1994 feature film adaptation of the short story Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption written by Stephen King. The film focuses on the friendship that develops over twenty years between two prison inmates: a hardened convict (Morgan Freeman) and a former banker (Tim Robbins), who was wrongfully convicted of killing his wife and her lover. The film, while nominated for seven Academy Awards, was not a financial success at the time of its theatrical release, but has since developed a much beloved status upon its subsequent viewings on cable and video outlets. The Shawshank Redemption was directed by Frank Darabont, who would go on to adapt and direct two more of Stephen King's works for film: The Green Mile and The Mist.

The following weapons were used in the film The Shawshank Redemption:

WARNING! MAJOR SPOILERS!

Handguns

Colt Detective Special

At the film's beginning, Andrew "Andy" Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is seen loading a Colt Detective Special while in a drunken state. During the trial for killing his cheating wife and her lover, he says he didn't do it, but threw the gun in the river, ruining his chance of proving his gun wasn't used to commit the crime. The Colt is a first generation Detective Special based on the grip design and the round front sight.

Colt Detective Special 1st Gen with Square Butt - .38 Special.

Andy swings opens the cylinder on his Colt Detective Special during a flashback. The hands seen in these closeup shots of the revolver being loaded however are of director Frank Darabont's in place of Tim Robbins.

Andy loads up his Colt Detective Special.

Andy closes his Colt Detective Special.

A Colt Detective Special is seen in the pawn shop, furthest left.

Colt Police Positive

The District Attorney (Jeffrey DeMunn) that questions Dufresne shows the jury a revolver for props effect, which is a Colt Police Positive in .38 caliber. Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding (Morgan Freeman) also sees a Colt Police Positive in a pawn shop window.

Colt Police Positive- .38 Special.

The District Attorney (Jeffrey DeMunn) shows the jury a Colt Police Positive.

A Colt Police Positive is seen in the pawn shop, center.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snubnose

Warden Norton (Bob Gunton) pulls out a Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver with a 2" barrel from his desk drawer when the police try to break into his office to arrest him. He loads up the gun and is seen pointing at the door.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snub nose revolver - .38 special. This six shot snubnose version of the classic Model 10 is a rare variant.

Warden Norton opens up his drawer and pulls out his Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snubnose and a box of Remington Kleanbore .38 Special rounds.

Norton grabs a handful of shells.

Norton loads the Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snubnose. It is the snub nosed version of the standard S&W Model 10-5, chambered in .38 Special

Warden Norton (Bob Gunton) waits with his Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snubnose at the ready.

The Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snubnose falls to the floor.

Smith & Wesson Model 19

One of the guns 'Red' (Morgan Freeman) eyes in the pawn shop is a Smith & Wesson Model 19.

Smith & Wesson Model 19 - .357 Magnum.

A Smith & Wesson Model 19 is seen in the pawn shop, furthest right.

Colt M1911A1

One of the guns 'Red' (Morgan Freeman) eyes in the pawn shop is a Colt M1911A1.

Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP.

An M1911A1 in seen in the pawn shop, furthest right.

Smith & Wesson Model 15

One of the guns 'Red' eyes in the pawn shop is a Smith & Wesson Model 15.

Smith & Wesson Model 15 - .38 Special.

A Smith & Wesson Model 15 is seen in the pawn shop, center. Note the adjustable sights, confirming it is a Smith & Wesson Model 15. Also note that the grip is slimmer, which differentiates it from the larger .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 19 seen next to it.

Shotguns

Winchester Model 12

Several of the guards at Shawshank are armed with Winchester Model 12 shotguns.

Example of a Winchester Model 1912 Riot Gun used in film

A guard on the bus is armed with a Winchester Model 12.

A guard outside the bus with a Winchester 12.

Seen on the right, Dufresne stares down the barrel of the Winchester 12 held by Guard Trout (Paul McCrane).

Police officers armed with Winchester 12 shotguns search for the escaped Dufresne.

Rifles

Winchester 1894

Other Shawshank guards are seen armed with Winchester 1894 rifles.

Winchester 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine - .30-30.

A guard on the prison wall with a Winchester '94 as the new inmates are driven in.

A guard on the roof with his Winchester '94 rifle at the ready, though note that the hammer is down and his finger is squeezing the trigger.

M14

Captain Hadley (Clancy Brown) is armed with an M14 Rifle fitted with a scope when Tommy (Gil Bellows) tries to tell the prison warden that he knew the man who really killed Dufresne's wife and lover. It is not likely an M21, since prisons aren't usually outfitted with Marine sniper weaponry. Since at the time this scene takes place, the M14 and M21 rifles were in frontline service with the U.S. Military, it is doubtful they would be issued to guards in some prison in New England. In any event, close inspection of the rifle also reveals that it lacks the U.S.G.I. M-14's trademark, the fire control selector lug.

M14 rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO.

Hadley stands in the shadows with his M14 rifle after shooting Tommy.

M1 Carbine

One of the officers searching for Dufresne after he escapes from prison is armed with an M1 Carbine.

M1 Carbine, Korean War-era - .30 Carbine.

An officer searches for Dufresne with his M1 Carbine in hand.

Submachine Guns

M1928 Thompson

A Shawshank guard is seen with a M1928 Thompson when the new inmates are driven in.

M1928 Thompson - .45 ACP.

A guard on the prison wall armed with an M1928 Thompson.