The Organization (1971)

The Organization Theatrical Poster Country USA Directed by Don Medford Release Date 1971 Studio The Mirisch Corporation Distributor United Artists MGM (DVD) Main Cast Character Actor Police Lt. Virgil Tibbs Sidney Poitier Valerie Tibbs Barbara McNair Inspector Jack Pecora Gerald S. O'Loughlin Mrs. Gloria Morgan Sheree North Juan Mendoza Raul Julia Joe Peralez Ron O'Neal Dave Thomas Billy Green Bush Bob Alford Fred Beir William Martin Graham Jarvis Lt. Jessop Bernie Hamilton

The Organization is a 1971 crime drama directed by Don Medford and starring Sidney Poitier as Police Lieutenant Virgil Tibbs, a detective of San Francisco homicide division. A group of idealistic vigilantes wage a war against a drug ring hiding under the disguise of an ordinary business. They approach for help to Lt. Tibbs whom they know as an honest cop.

The film is the third and final installment of the trilogy about Virgil Tibbs, preceded by In the Heat of the Night (1967), and They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970).

The following weapons were used in the film The Organization:

Revolvers

Colt Detective Special

Lt. Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) carries a Colt Detective Special revolver. Mobster Tony (Paul Jenkins) is armed with a Colt DS during the shootout in the tunnel under construction. Drug dealer Benjy (Allen Garfield) fires a snub nose revolver that is also supposed to be a Colt DS at a police officer.

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

Tibbs pursues a hitman.

Tibbs holds his revolver when finding a witness is killed.

Tibbs aims his revolver at a thug.

Benjy fires at a police officer who tries to open a bag with cash.

Benjy threatens Juan Mendoza (Raul Julia).

Tony fires at a padlock on the grate covering the exit from the tunnel.

Another view of Tony's revolver.

Tony fires at Tibbs.

Smith & Wesson Militarty & Police

A police officer, wounded by drug dealer Benjy, manages to draw a Smith & Wesson Military & Police revolver. Mobster Chet (Ross Hagen) is armed with an M&P revolver during the shootout in the tunnel under construction. Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) disarms Chet and uses the revolver during the shootout with Tony. Tibbs also holds an M&P revolver in the final scene.

Smith & Wesson Model M&P Revolver with 4" barrel - .38 Special

A police officer who tries to check Benjy's bag with cash carries a revolver in holster.

Wounded officer draws his revolver. The pre-Model 10 rounded front sight is seen.

Chet holds his revolver when Tibbs hits him with a wooden bar.

Tibbs drops the revolver when he accidentally catches fire from a gas cutter.

Tibbs pursues the mobsters.

Tibbs returns fire at Tony.

He hits the mobster with a well-aimed shot.

Tibbs holds the revolver over wounded Tony. The grip of Tony's Colt Detective Special revolver is barely seen in Tibbs' left hand.

Tibbs holds the Smith & Wesson in the final scene.

Smith & Wesson Model 32

The flashback scene reveals Zach Mills (John Lasell) firing a Smith & Wesson Model 32 revolver.

Smith & Wesson Model Terrier - .38 S&W

Zach Mills draws his revolver.

Mills fires his revolver.

Smith & Wesson Model 36

In the same flashback scene Bob Alford's (Fred Beir) snub nose revolver is supposed to be a Smith & Wesson Model 36, judging by the shape of the front sight.

Smith & Wesson Model 36 - .38 Special. First pattern with flat latch cylinder release.

Bob Alford draws his revolver.

Alford fires his revolver. The front sight is barely seen but it seems to be ramp rather than rounded.

Unidentified snub nose revolvers

Police Captain Grayson (Mark Tapscott) commits suicide with a snub nose revolver of unclear model.

Capt. Grayson draws his revolver.

Another view of the revolver.

Grayson puts the revolver to his head.

In the final scene Inspector Jack Pecora (Gerald S. O'Loughlin) holds a snub nose revolver. Colt Detective Special is a possible but not nessessary guess.

Pecora holds his revolver at the background.

Unidentified revolvers

In the opening scene night watchman George Morgan (Charles H. Gray) carries a revolver in holster. The black grip with bright logo can be seen.

A revolver is seen in holster of a police officer.

A police officer at the left carries a revolver in holster. Possibly this is a Smith & Wesson M&P, like the revolver of another officer (see above).

Shotguns

Ithaca 37

An Ithaca 37 is seen inside a police car.

Ithaca 37 Riot Version - 12 gauge

The barrel and the pump of the Ithaca 37 can be seen.

Assault Rifles

M16

Some version of M16 is used during the assassination of a witness in Tibbs' car. The gun is seen only in distance and during the fast motion. In the final scene a mob hitman fires a version of M16 fitted with some sighting device from the rooftop. The angle of view doesn't allow to identify the exact model although Colt AR-15 SP1 is a most credible guess for the 1971 film.

For reference: M16 SP1 with an A1 "birdcage" Flash hider - 5.56x45mm

A hitman fires at Tibbs' car from an overtaking car. The sound of gunshots match semi-auto mode.

A hitman fires an M16 with sighting device from the rooftop.