Sergeant Rutledge

Sergeant Rutledge Sergeant Rutledge (1960) Country USA Directed by John Ford Release Date 1960 Language English Studio John Ford Productions Distributor Warner Bros Main Cast Character Actor Sergeant Braxton Rutledge Woody Strode Tom Cantrell Jeffrey Hunter Matthew Luke Skidmore Juano Hernández Otis Fosgate Willis Bouchey Captain Shattuck Carleton Young

Sergeant Rutledge is a classic 1960 American Western drama film directed by John Ford and starring Woody Strode in the role of Braxton Rutledge.

In 1881, Sergeant Braxton Rutledge is accused of the rape and murder of a young woman, for which he is sought by the 9th Cavalry for his capture. Tom Cantrell, the superior of Rutledge's unit, is aware of the soldier's innocence and is willing to defend him in court, which is convinced that Rutledge is guilty of the crime.

Despite being well-received by critics, Sergeant Rutledge was one of John Ford's least successful works, considered a miserable box office failure.

The following weapons were used in the film Sergeant Rutledge:

Revolvers

Colt Single Action Army

Tom Cantrell (Jeffrey Hunter) and several of the soldiers of the US Army's 9th Cavalry carry the Colt Single Action Army as their service revolver throughout the film.

Colt 1873 Single Action Army w/ 7.5" barrel - .45 Long Colt

An injured Braxton Rutledge holds his Colt SAA as he tries to get up from the ground.

Tom Cantrell watches from a distance as one of his soldiers is fatally wounded by a native.

Tom Cantrell fires a warning shot with his Colt SAA to try to prevent Braxton Rutledge from leaving his platoon.

Braxton Rutledge uses his Colt SAA to make a tourniquet to prevent one of the 9th Cavalry soldiers from bleeding out.

Remington Model 1858 New Model Police

A Remington 1858 New Model Police is the weapon used in the murder of Lucy Dabney (Toby Michaels) and a US Cavalry soldier. Tom Cantrell (Jeffrey Hunter) briefly holds and inspect the Remington 1858 New Model Police, revealing that it is a cartridge conversion.

Although it is difficult to notice with the naked eye because aesthetically they are similar, the Remington Model 1858 New Model Police replaces the Remington Model 1863 Pocket in a continuity error.

Remington Model 1858 New Model Police w/ cartridge conversion - .38 Rimfire

Tom Cantrell inspects the new Police Remington Model 1858...

...he removes the cylinder of the revolver.

Cantrell finishes inspecting the weapon. He notes that the chamber is split between the cylinder and the gate, revealing this to be a cartridge conversion.

Remington Model 1863 Pocket

Dr. Walter Eckner (Charles Seel) finds a Remington Model 1863 Pocket at the scene of Lucy Dabney's murder, being the gun used to murder the young woman and a US Cavalry soldier. In a continuity error, the Remington Model 1863 Pocket is replaced by a Remington 1858 New Model Police.

The Remington Model 1863 Pocket was the pocket variant of the Remington 1858 New Army, similar to the Remington 1858 New Model Police, but more compact and with a spur trigger.

Remington Model 1863 Pocket - .31 caliber

Dr. Walter Eckner gives the Remington 1863 Pocket to Tom Cantrell for inspection.
Note the trigger that identifies the gun as a Remington 1863 Pocket.

Rifles

Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine

Sergeant Rutledge (Woody Strode), Tom Cantrell (Jeffrey Hunter), and soldiers of the 9th Cavalry are armed with the Springfield Model 1873 "Trapdoor Springfield" Cavalry Carbine throughout much of the film.

Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine - .45-70 Government

Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry line up to take aim with their Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine against the threat of a horde of natives.

A close-up shot of the Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine.

The soldiers of the 9th Cavalry receive news from Sergeant Rutledge of the death of one of the soldiers.

Braxton Rutledge decides to abandon his unit armed with a deceased soldier's Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine.

A good side shot of a Springfield Model 1873 trapdoor carbine used during the 9th Cavalry's last battle against the natives.

Winchester Model 1892

Laredo (Hank Worden) is seen carrying a Winchester Model 1892 during the train ride of Tom Cantrell (Jeffrey Hunter) and Mary Beecher (Constance Towers). This is an anachronism, as the film is set in 1881 and this rifle was introduced 11 years later.

Winchester Model 1892 w/ 20" barrel - .32-20 WCF

Laredo confronts Mr. Owens (Shug Fisher) when the train stops at a station.

Laredo warns the train's passengers that the route is resuming, while holding out his Winchester Model 1892 in case his argument with Mr. Owens escalates further.

Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine

Sergeant Rutledge (Woody Strode) carries a Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine while hiding from the 9th Cavalry, before surrendering at the request of his superior. The natives are mostly seen carrying a Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbines during their shootouts against the US soldiers. This is an anachronism, as the film is set in 1881 and this rifle was introduced 11 years later.

Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine - .44-40 WCF

In a continuity error, Laredo's Winchester Model 1892 is replaced by a Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine.

Braxton Rutledge's Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine sits on a table after the latter decides to rest due to his injuries.

Mary Beecher briefly picks up Braxton Rutledge's Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine.

When they finally find him, Braxton Rutledge points his Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine at Tom Cantrell.

A large number of natives fire their Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbines at the soldiers of the 9th Cavalry.