The Onion Field

The Onion Field

The following weapons were used in the film The Onion Field:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

The Onion Field is a 1979 film that describes the real kidnapping of two LAPD officers in the 60’s. The movie screenplay was written by ex-LAPD officer Joseph Wambaugh, based on his book.

Smith & Wesson Model 14

Both LAPD detectives, played by John Savage (Det. Karl Hettinger) and Ted Danson (Det. Ian Campbell) carry 6-inch barreled Smith & Wesson Model 14 revolvers in cross-draw holsters. The 6” barrel model 14 was a common LAPD gun during the 50’s and 60’s decades, and even plainclothes officers carried it. In real life, according to Joseph Wambaugh, Detective Campbell carried a model 14 (then known as the “k-38 target masterpiece”), while Det. Hettinger carried a 6”-barrel Colt.

Det Hettinger puts on his S&W model 14 on a crossdraw holster

Detective Hettinger, played by John Savage, with his 6” barrel S&W model 14

Det Hettinger surrenders his S&W model 14

Hettinger is about to commit suicide with his model 14, several years after the kidnapping. In real life, Hettinger bought a S&W model 19 in .357 magnum after the events described in the movie, according to Wambaugh's book

Astra Constable

Gregory Powell (James Woods) buys an Astra Constable in a pawn shop for Jimmy “Youngblood” Smith (Franklyn Seales). This is not totally accurate. According to Wambaugh’s book, the gun used by Smith was indeed an Spanish Pistol, but it was a .32 auto Star, not an Astra.

Powell presents Smith an Astra Constable.

An officer discovers the Astra Constable after the kidnapping.

Colt Official Police

Powell uses a Colt Official Police as his personal gun. Some LAPD officers also use this revolver.

Powell threatens one of his accomplices with a Colt Official Police

Powell (James Woods) threatens the officers with his own Colt Official Police and with one of the officers’ model 14s.

The officers who arrest Smith use Colt Official Police revolvers.

Smith & Wesson Model 10

The officer who arrests Powell uses what looks like a 6”-barrel Smith & Wesson Model 10

The gun looks like a Smith & Wesson Model 10