15 replies to this topic

[Zamm]

Okay, I've been doing a little detective work on this one.

First thing was to try and contact the armorer, Harry lu,
who worked on the film "Road to Perdition".

Trough a producer friend of mine, we were able to ascertain that Harry worked
out of the well known company Stembridge Gun Rentals, Inc.

I got in touch with Syd Stembridge yesterday.
A real nice guy, mentioned Gordon H. and Doug R.
We spoke for a while, and, in his words:

1.Harry would not have done any actual modifications himself

2.The weapon and modification were real, not props.

3. It probably came from Mike Gibbons... (?)

At that point he took my number and said he would contact Mike and see if he would like to elaborate on this any
further.
And so, if i hear from Mike Gibbons, I shall ask him who did the mod. to the gun.
If not, well, at least we know it was a real modification.
Later, Z

[Tman]

Great detective work! Let us know what else you find.

[Motorcar]

You are The Man Zamm. Did you ask if the nifty case was from Stembridge also or just something they made up in the prop shop?

Where's the pasta?

[Zamm]

Spaghetti Motorcar, Spaghetti!

It seems this whole set-up did not come from Stembridge, but Mike
Gibbons. If I ever get to speak to him, I'll also ask about the Indiana type case, and what's with the seperate frame/reciever set up in the case.
Best, Z

[ACARLG]

Oh Zammy-zam, check your PMs..

[Zamm]

ACARLG,
Thanks!!
We are getting mighty close to an answer!
Z

[DC Chris]

Zamm-

Great work! Keep us informed.

Chris.

[Sgt]

Zamm-- I'm glad you too the initiative on this one. That was good information to hear. It is nice to know that there are some good caretakers of the Hollywood Thompsons. They must take their jobs seriously to go to those lengths to fabricate a working part.

[Zamm]

And, finally, the entire story:

Got a call today from Mike Gibbons (again, thanks ACARLG).
Indeed, Gibbons Ltd Entertainment Armory supplied the guns for "Road to Perdition".
Two 21 Colts and a 28. No West Hurleys.
The grip modification was real, done by a gunsmith (who, unfortunately has passed away) for Gibbons Armory, as per instructions by the movie production company. Mike says, it was a slide-on "dovetail' addition to the grip mount, and a matching foregrip with release button. He also said the modification was solid, but was not meant to last forever and did not hurt the gun, sliding over the grip mount. It was mounted to one of the Colts for the shot of Tom Hanks assembling the gun from the case.
He is looking around for it now, and if he finds it, he will perhaps send along a photo.
I also asked him "why the separate frame and receiver in the case"?
He said they argued with the production company that it was "not the way a Thompson would be carried", but the movie folks wanted as much assembling in that scene as possible, and were not concerned with historical realism.

And so, here ends the mystery of the removable foregrip.

I must say what a nice guy Mike Gibbons was on the phone. He was genuinely amused that we were interested in this and was also very, very aware of the value and history of Colt 21's and expressed a great interest in preserving them.
Things such as actuators, ejectors, etc... are swiped out and replaced with 28 parts for scenes requiring firing.
Also, it seems that a 28 was used in the Road to Peridtion for the firing scenes.

Best, Zamm

[full auto 45]

I just want to know where they got the 500 round drum they used in the scene that took out Paul Newman.

[Zamm]

Mike,
That was the same drum ( I believe it was a 1,246 round "S" drum)
used by Albert Finney in "Millers Crossing".

Z

[Waffen Und Bier]

We used an un-modifed (except for a blank adapter under the compensator) West Hurley 1928 in the gangster dream sequence on the New Leave It To Beaver Show (ca 1989) Universal Studios. 50 round drum, ran great.

[chitowngangster]

Thank-you Zamm for persisting that was very interesting and most enjoyable!

Mario

[TD.]

Zamm,
Excellent detective work and post. I really appreciate all your efforts. Next time I watch this movie I will think about this post. Quick question: do you know the whereabouts of the case today? I wonder if it might be for sale...
Thanks again,
TD.

[Zamm]

My pleasure folks...
Been bothering me for a few years!

TD. Not sure about the case...wether it was part of Gibbon's Armory
or what.
I suggest Greg Fox, who manufactures handcrafted FBI, Police and Indiana hard cases.
He can make what you want, custom.
Contact Greg at M1921A"NOSPAM"@AOL for details and prices.
Best, Z

[Zamm]

Phil,
Yeah, he was great to talk to.
What a neat day job!!!
He was looking through " the Thompson bins" for the modified part.
I would give my left you-know-what to see that collection!
Best, Z