Boxcar Bertha

Boxcar Bertha (1972)

Boxcar Bertha is the 1972 gangster exploitation film that was only the second film directed by Martin Scorsese. This film was among a series of cheaply made gangster films produced by Roger Corman that was intended to capitalize on the success of such films as Bonnie and Clyde.

The following weapons were used in the film Boxcar Bertha:

Pistols

Remington 1866 Derringer

While traveling through the South as a gambler, Rake Brown (Barry Primus) keeps a stag-gripped Remington 1866 Derringer as his sidearm. During a scuffle with Joe Cox, Bertha Thompson (Barbara Hershey) takes it from him.

Remington 1866 Derringer - .41 R.F. Caliber. Polished Steel with yellow pearl grips

Rake's derringer sits on his bed next to the two rounds he loads into it.

M1911A1

Bill Shelly (David Carradine) carries a M1911A1 as his main sidearm throughout the film. During one of the payroll robberies, Bertha (Barbara Hershey) carries a nickel-plated M1911A1.

Auto Ordnance M1911A1 - .45 ACP

Bill aims his 1911A1 at a railroad conductor.

Von (Bernie Casey) aims the 1911A1 at a security guard.

Commercial Satin Nickel M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP. Manufactured on license by Remington Rand.

Bertha holds her nickel 1911A1.

Ruby

Bill Shelly (David Carradine) uses a nickel-plated Spanish Ruby pistol when he robs Sartoris's home.

Gabilondo Ruby pistol - .32 ACP

Bill robs Sartoris' guests with his Ruby.

A close up of the Ruby, showing off the finish as well as the indicative holster safety knob.

Revolvers

Smith & Wesson Model 10

During the film's finale, Bill Shelly (David Carradine) keeps a Smith & Wesson Model 10 with a 3" barrel while living in solitude in a shack in the woods.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 with three inch barrel

Bill picks up his Model 10 when he hears someone outside.

Bill hugs Bertha, his Model 10 in hand.

Colt Official Police

Rake Brown (Barry Primus) keeps two nickel Colt Official Police revolvers with white grips throughout the gang's crime spree. After the prison break, he has a blued Official Police with black Colt grips in his waistband.

Colt Official Police - 5" Barrel

A nice close up of Rake's two Official Police revolvers during a payroll robbery.

Rake with his two revolvers.

Rake stands over his hostages.

Colt Police Positive

Joe Cox (Joe Reynolds), a prominent Southern lawyer, carries a Colt Police Positive that he draws on Rake after the card game.

Colt Police Positive - .38 Special.

Cox cocks the hammer on his Colt Police Positive while aiming it at Rake.

Single Action Army

"Boxcar" Bertha Thompson (Barbara Hershey) carries a Single Action Army as her main sidearm, using it during the chain gang breakout and the first train robbery. Rake Brown (Barry Primus) uses a different one during the attempted kidnapping of Sartoris. Rake's SAA appears to be a Uberti replica with a bright brass frame while Bertha's appears to be original.

Colt Single Action Army w/ 5.5" barrel known as the "Artillery" model - .45 Long Colt

Bertha sticks her SAA inside Harvey's mouth.

Bertha holds her SAA on Harvey to allow the others to escape.

Bertha draws her SAA on the train conductor.

Bill, with the Ithaca 37, and Rake, with the SAA, assault Sartoris.

Rake sets down his SAA, showing off the brass frame.

Submachine Guns

Thompson M1921

Some of the railroad detectives hired to stop the union activity carry Thompson M1921 submachine guns.

Colt M1921AC Thompson with 50-round drum magazine - .45 ACP.

A strikebreaker with a Thompson grabs one of the union organizers.

One of the detectives aims his Thompson at Bill's groin.

Rifles

Winchester Model 1892

Railroad detectives and uniformed police are seen with Winchester Model 1892 rifles.

Winchester 1892 -.32WCF/.38-40/.44-40/.25-20.

A policeman apprehends Rake.

Two detectives with Winchester rifles surround Von during the attempted kidnapping of Sartoris on his train.

Shotguns

Double-Barreled shotgun

Several detectives carry Double Barreled Shotguns, including one of the McIvers (Victor Argo). Bill Shelly (David Carradine) and Von Morton (Bernie Casey) also use them for occasional robberies.

Charles Parker 1878 Side by Side Shotgun - 12 Gauge. The Parker Gun Company was absorbed into Remington in 1934.

A strikebreaker walks around the union camp starting fires as he carries his shotgun.

Bill levels his shotgun at a railroad payroll clerk.

Von carries his shotgun through the train as he collects the passengers' items.

Both McIvers place their shotguns on the ground.

One of the McIvers (Victor Argo) reloads his shotgun after Bertha gets away.

One of the McIvers (Victor Argo) is forced to crouch at gunpoint with his shotgun a few inches away.

Winchester Model 1897

Winchester Model 1897 shotguns are seen primarily in the hands of the McIvers detectives, especially McIver #2 (David Osterhout) although McIver #1 (Victor Argo) uses one when both McIvers blast at the prisoners. Von Morton (Bernie Casey) uses several, picking up another when running out of ammunition, during the film's climax.

Winchester Model 1897 Riot Gun - 12 gauge

Two Winchester '97s sit in the Louisiana sheriff's office.

Both McIvers fire their Winchesters into the prison.

The McIvers cycle their Winchesters, showing off the 1897's action in motion.

McIver #2 walks through the railroad payroll office with his Winchester '97.

Both McIvers place their shotguns on the ground.

Von pumps another round into his shotgun. During this scene, Von's shotgun has the amazing ability to send its victims flying.

Remington Model 10

Von Morton (Bernie Casey) carries an Remington Model 10 as his main weapon throughout the film, taken from Deputy Sheriff Harvey Hall (Harry Northup) when he escapes from the chain gang.

Remington Model 10 Riot Version

A deputy aims an Remington Model 10 into the jail next to Von.

Deputy Hall watches the chain gang with his Remington Model 10.

Von threatens a railroad conductor with his Remington Model 10.

Bill (David Carradine) holds Von's Remington Model 10 when discussing their next robbery.

Bill, with the Remington Model 10, and Rake, with the SAA, assault Sartoris.

Winchester Model 1912

Some of the railroad detectives hired to stop the union activity carry Winchester Model 1912 pump shotguns.

Winchester M1912 Riot Gun

A strikebreaker bends over with his Winchester in one hand.