White Heat

White Heat (1949)

White Heat is a 1949 gangster film directed by Raoul Walsh and starred James Cagney as a psychopathic criminal with an unhealthy mother-fixation who stages a prison break and reunites the old gang. The film's cast included Edmond O'Brien, Virginia Mayo, and Margaret Wycherly. This is the film where Cagney yells, "Made it Ma! Top of the World!" while holding a Colt Detective Special.

The following weapons were used in the film White Heat:

Colt Detective Special

Cody Jarrett (James Cagney) primarily uses a Colt Detective Special before prison and after prison (when one is smuggled to him by Tommy Ryley (Robert Osterloh)). "Big Ed" Somers (Steve Cochran) also uses a Detective Special during the opening train robbery and when he is waiting for Cody after his prison breakout. Hank Fallon/"Vic Pardo" (Edmond O'Brien) also briefly uses one.

Colt Detective Special - .38 Special

Big Ed (on right) aims a Detective Special at a train conductor.

Cody points his Detective Special at an engineer.

Cody shouts orders at the engineers.

Cody's Detective Special.

Cody grabs his Colt from a concealed compartment in his car.

Ryley sneaks a Detective Special to Cody before his prison breakout.

Cody nervously points his Detective Special at a doctor driving his prison breakout getaway car.

Big Ed awaits Cody's return.

"Vic Pardo" holds his Detective Special on "The Trader".

Cody and Ryley hide from the police during their last job.

Cody with his Detective Special during the infamous "top of the world" scene.

Colt Police Positive

"Cotton" Valletti (Wally Cassell) carries a Colt Police Positive, notably using it to fake the death of Zuckie (Ford Rainey) when Cody asks him to kill him.

Colt Police Positive - .38 Special.

Cody checks Cotton's Police Positive before giving it back to him.

Cotton tells Cody about the police, Police Positive in hand.

Colt New Service

Another gang member uses a Colt New Service during the train robbery.

Colt New Service (Late Model) - .44

A gang member holds his New Service on a conductor.

A gang member (left) next to Big Ed holds his New Service on a conductor.

Colt Official Police

Treasury agent Philip Evans (John Archer) carries a Colt Official Police in a shoulder holster.

Colt Official Police - .38 Special

Evans drops his Colt Official Police after Jarrett shoots him.

Thompson M1928

The prison guards carry Thompson M1928 submachine guns, as do the LAPD during the final scene.

M1928 "Tommy Gun" .45 ACP with 50-round drum magazine.

The prison guard on the right carries a Thompson.

A prison guard watches the inmates with his Thompson.

An LAPD officer holds a Thompson as another brings Verna to talk to Evans.

M1911A1

Cody Jarrett (James Cagney) briefly uses a M1911A1 when shooting holes in the trunk of the stolen car where Roy Parker (Paul Guilfoyle) is.

M1911A1 - .45 ACP.

Cody empties his 1911 into the trunk.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snub Nose

"Big Ed" Somers (Steve Cochran) carries a Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snub Nose while preparing the house for Cody Jarrett's arrival (which later becomes a Detective Special).

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snub - .38 Special

"Big Ed" uses the butt of his Model 10 Snub to pound something into the wall - not proper firearm handling at all.

"Big Ed" checks his Model 10 Snub.

Winchester Model 1897

The accountant guard at the chemical plant payroll office carries a Winchester Model 1897, which Hank Fallon (Edmond O'Brien) uses to try and round up the gang. Cody Jarrett (James Cagney) then takes it from him, using it until he runs out of shells. Some of the LAPD officers also carry Model '97s.

Winchester Model 1897 riot gun - 12 gauge

Fallon holds the Model '97 on the gang.

Cody runs to the window with the Winchester.

Cody "responds" to the police asking him to surrender.

A policeman with the shotgun ducks.

Cody, amid the tear gas, threatens Hank Fallon.

A policeman aims his shotgun at the gang.

Cody hides with the Model '97.

Federal L-5 Gas Riot Gun

The LAPD fires Federal L-5 Gas Riot Guns at the Jarrett gang during their final robbery of the payroll.

Federal L-5 Gas Riot Gun - 37mm. This is differentiated from the newer M201Z launcher in that the L-5 has a smooth outer barrel (with no ring for a sling swivel) and the lack of a rear ladder sight).

LAPD officers fire Federal L-5 Gas Riot Guns - 37mm

Steyr Mannlicher-Schoenauer

During the final scene, Hank Fallon (Edmond O'Brien) uses an Steyr Mannlicher-Schoenauer Sporter given to him by the police to try and snipe Cody Jarrett.

Steyr Mannlicher-Schoenauer with scope

Hank gets the rifle.

Hank aims at Cody. Notice the unique bolt handle of the Steyr Mannlicher-Schoenauer

Hank and Evans watch the fireball.