
Update On The Quick Release Foregrip
#1
Posted 26 August 2005 - 09:27 AM
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
#2
Posted 26 August 2005 - 09:44 AM
#3
Posted 26 August 2005 - 10:31 AM
Where's the pasta?

#4
Posted 26 August 2005 - 10:51 AM

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
#5
Posted 29 August 2005 - 11:45 AM

#6
Posted 29 August 2005 - 08:30 PM
Thanks!!
We are getting mighty close to an answer!
Z
#7
Posted 29 August 2005 - 09:25 PM
Great work! Keep us informed.
Chris.
#8
Posted 29 August 2005 - 10:42 PM
#9
Posted 31 August 2005 - 04:58 PM
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
#10
Posted 31 August 2005 - 05:13 PM

#11
Posted 31 August 2005 - 06:39 PM
That was the same drum ( I believe it was a 1,246 round "S" drum)
used by Albert Finney in "Millers Crossing".

Z


#12
Posted 31 August 2005 - 06:48 PM

#13
Posted 31 August 2005 - 07:05 PM
Mario
#14
Posted 31 August 2005 - 08:08 PM
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.
#15
Posted 31 August 2005 - 08:40 PM
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
#16
Posted 31 August 2005 - 08:58 PM
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