The Crown

The Crown Netflix title card Country United States/United Kingdom Release Date 2016-present Language Engish Studio Left Bank Pictures, Sony Pictures Television Distributor Netflix Main Cast Character Actor Queen Elizabeth II Clair Foy Prince Philip Matt Smith

The Crown is an ongoing Netflix original series based on the reign of the United Kingdom's current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The first two seasons have been released, primarily covering events from 1947 through 1964. Both seasons use flashbacks to touch on events prior to their main narratives, especially to World War II, the abdication crisis, and the youths of the Queen and her consort, Prince Philip.

Rifles

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III*

The Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk. III (and its more common variant, the No. 1 Mk. III*) was the main battle rifle of British and Commonwealth forces in World War I. It continued to serve alongside the Lee-Enfield No. 4 through World War II and until the adoption of the SLR. It is frequently seen in the background, being held by troops standing guard, on parade, or standing for review. It is also prominently wielded by Elizabeth and Phillip's guide in Kenya (S1:E2, "Hyde Park Corner").

The Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk. III* rifle.

Kenyan troops standing for review carrying No.1 Mk. III* rifles.

Elizabeth and Philip's guide with his No.1 Mk.III*

Kenyan troops standing guard with their No.1 Mk. III* rifles.

Unknown double-barreled rifle

Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, wields an unidentified double-barreled rifle in Kenya (S1:E2, "Hyde Park Corner"). We can be certain that it is not a shotgun, as he can be heard ordering one of the party to "pass me my rifle." Though less commonly seen than double-barreled shotguns, double-barreled rifles were, and still are, popular for protection against dangerous African game. They can be chambered for very powerful cartridges and offer a very quick and reliable followup shot.

Philip with his double-barreled rifle

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I

Lee-Enfield No. 4 rifles are carried by troops guarding a gate in Rhodesia (S1:E6, "Gelignite"). It can be distinguished from the previously-seen No. 1 by differences in the muzzle and rear sight.

Troops in Rhodesia with their No.4 rifles.

Shotguns

Unknown double-barreled shotguns

Several hunting parties, seen in early episodes of season 1, are mostly armed with unidentified double-barreled shotguns. Lord Mountbatten (S1:E3, "Windsor"), King Geroge VI, and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (S1:E1, "Wolverton Splash") all wield them.

Philip (background) and George VI (foreground) with their double-barreled shotguns.

Mountbatten with his double-barreled shotgun.

Winchester Model 1912

Ernst Augustus, Prince of Hanover, wields a Winchester Model 1912 with a Cutts compensator, in contrast to the rest of the hunting party's double-barreled shotguns (S1:E3, "Windsor") . Lord Mountbatten asks about it, to which Hanover replies, "I inherited it from my grandfather: as you know, Kaiser Wilhelm was not blessed with a normal physique ... but he loved to shoot, so modifications had to be made." Mountbatten also complains, "they didn't modify a shotgun, they modified a cannon."

This is historically plausible. Kaiser Wilhelm II was delivered in a breech birth, and the use of forceps to assist delivery caused a severe shoulder injury. As an adult, his his left arm was six inches shorter, and much weaker, than his right arm. He used many appliances and customized firearms to hunt. The Cutts compensator, like most recoil compensators, has a reputation for being very loud, hence Mountbatten's "cannon" comment.

Hanover with his Winchester Model 12.

A clear shot of the Cutts compensator.

The effect of the Cutts compensator can be seen in this shot.