The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather is the 1972 feature film adaptation of the crime novel of the same name by Mario Puzo. The film follows the members of the Corleone family as a mafia war breaks out between Corleones and rival crime families. The cast features Marlon Brando, James Caan, and Al Pacino. The film, which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and would win Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor and would be followed by 1974's The Godfather Part II and 1990's The Godfather Part III as well as a video game series.

The following weapons were used in the film The Godfather:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Handguns

Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum

Luca Brasi (Lenny Montana) checks a Smith & Wesson Model 27 Snub Nose before going to his meeting with Sollozzo and the Tattaglias. The frame appears to be that of the larger S&W N-Frame. Since this point in the story takes place in December 1945 it would more than likely be a pre-war S&W 'Registered Magnum', though it could possibly be a S&W .357 Magnum since a few were made between the ending of the Registered Magnum model and the start of WWII. (During WWII, S&W only produced the M&P/Victory model.) S&W did not number its models until the middle of the 1950s.

It can be confirmed that it is a pre-war Smith & Wesson, possibly a Registered Magnum - All pre-Model 27 Smith & Wesson .357 Magnums had front sights that did not run flush with the end of the barrel. The gun in the film likewise has the front sight that doesn't run flush with the barrel (clearly shown in the second screencap below), indicating it is a pre-war Magnum.

Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum with 3.5" barrel - .357 Magnum. Predecessor to the Model 27.

The .357 S&W 27 is seen on the dresser as Luca Brasi (Lenny Montana) puts on his bulletproof vest.

Luca Brasi looks in the cylinder of his Smith & Wesson. Note the pre-war style front sight not flush with the end of the barrel, indicating the gun is indeed a pre-Model 27 S&W .357 Magnum.

Beretta M1934

One of the hitmen who shoots at Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) carries a Beretta M1934. This also may be the weapon used in the hit on Paulie, however in the Godfather Saga made for TV the gun mentioned to use in the hit on Paulie is a .22. For Clemenza mentions the load to be used in the hit is a .22 soft point.

Beretta Model 1935, the .32 ACP version of the Model 1934. Other than caliber, the pistols are identical.

The hitmen carry a Beretta and a Detective Special.

A pistol is used in the hit. Calmenza then says to Rocco, "leave the gun, take the cannoli".

Colt Detective Special

This .38 snubnose Colt Detective Special makes several appearances throughout the movie, as the revolver truly was popular amongst Mafioso of the time due to its compact size, relative accuracy despite only having a 2" barrel, and having 6 shots as opposed to 5 shots, as in other makes and models of snubnose .38s. One of the hitmen who shoots at Don Vito Corleone carries a Detective Special.

Colt Detective Special - .38 Special

The hitmen carry a Beretta and a Detective Special.

Smith & Wesson Model 36

Fredo Corleone (John Cazale) draws and immediately drops a nickel Smith & Wesson Model 36 after his father Vito is shot on the street. Sonny Corleone (James Caan) is briefly shown checking one and sticking it into his waistband when he sees Clemenza at the door. Peter Clemenza (Richard S. Castellano) gives Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) a Smith & Wesson Model 36 for his meeting with Virgil "the Turk" Sollozzo (Al Lettieri) and Capt. McClusky (Sterling Hayden).

Smith and Wesson Model 36 - .38 special

Fredo Corleone (John Cazale) draws and immediately drops a nickel Smith & Wesson Model 36 after his father Vito is shot on the street.

Fredo's Smith & Wesson dangles from his hand.

Sonny answers the door with his revolver.

Sonny's snubnose sticks out of his waistband.

Clemenza hands the snubnose to Michael. Clemenza mentioned that he put tape on the grip and the trigger and that he left it noisy to scare any bystanders away.

Clemenza shows the revolver to Michael.

Michael prepares to fire the revolver.

Michael aims the revolver.

Michael fires the revolver.

Smith & Wesson Victory Model

Al Neri (Richard Bright) carries and uses a Smith & Wesson Victory Model revolver when dressed in his old police uniform for the hit on Don Emilio Barzini (Richard Conte).

Smith & Wesson Victory Model- .38 Special

Al Neri pulls out his revolver.

Al Neri sets the Victory Model on his bed.

Al Neri takes aim and fires at Barzini.

M1911A1

Willi Cicci (Joe Spinell) uses an M1911A1 to murder Don Otilleo Cuneo (Rudy Bond) in a revolving door.

Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP.

Cuneo reacts to the .45 pointed at him.

Submachine Guns

Thompson M1928

Barzini's hitmen use Thompson M1928s with drum magazines when gunning down Sonny Corleone (James Caan) at the toll booth.

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

Three of Sonny's assassins with Thompsons.

One of the assassins emptying his Thompson from the toll booth. This technique was often used with the Thompson, turning it sideways and allowing the recoil to 'fan' the bullet stream over a target.

One of the hitmen kicks Sonny's head after killing him.

M1928A1 Thompson

US servicemen in Sicily carry M1928A1 Thompsons as they pass Michael and his bodyguards in jeeps.

M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine and early 'simplified' rear sight that would be adopted for the M1 Thompson - .45 ACP

Madsen M50

Rocco Lampone (Tom Rosqui) and another Corleone hitman use Danish 9mm Madsen M50 submachine guns to murder Don Philip Tattaglia (Victor Rendina) and a woman he was sleeping with.

Madsen M50 - 9x19mm Parabellum

Loading up the M50.

The hitmen burst in on Tattaglia with M50s.

Shotguns

Double Barreled Shotgun

Michael's Sicilian bodyguards, Fabrizio (Angelo Infanti) and Calo (Franco Citti), carry 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotguns with exposed hammers. While in the novel the two use "Lupara" sawed-off shotguns, the movie instead shows their weapons with full barrels and stocks. Clemenza uses a hammerless model during a confrontation with Stracci in an elevator.

Colt Model 1878 reproduction - 12 Gauge

Stoeger/IGA Coach imported side by side shotgun - 12 Gauge. Note, this make and model are shown merely as an example of the type. This particular shotgun was imported in 1999. Most of the guns in use by movie armories in 1971 were classic American brands or European imports from the previous decades, most commonly ones from England, Italy and Spain.