Watching "The Long Riders"

ScottT · Post by **ScottT** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:17 pm

The scene where they are fixing to rob the bank in Minnesota shows bare barrels and short saddle scabbards with the barrel out in the open.

Now, I know it is a movie, but I wonder if anybody would do such a foolish thing? Kinda hard on the barrel and front sight. Might get some mud in there too!

Dirty Dan · Post by **Dirty Dan** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:36 pm

Never seen rifles carried that way, but a lot of sidearms have the barrels sticking out the bottom of the holster. Always wondered about it and have heard that it let water drain.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:37 pm

I had heard the same - water drainage...

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:47 pm

Not as bad a feux pax as David Carradine carrying a Savage Single shot from K-Mart!

Looked right off the rack too...the kind where you pulled the trigger guard back to drop the barrel!

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:21 am

Scott, while I'm sure your correct, the "Long Riders" was one of the better westerns produced by Hollywierd, and had an all-star cast. The music was also well written by Ry Cooder. While I'm sure your correct with your technical criticisims (I can't spell worth beans past 11 pm), I would just enjoy the film for what is was: one of Walter Hill's best works.

-Tutt

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:24 am

And Scott, I forgot to say, welcome back! I've noted your absence for sometime now, and had wondered what had happended to you. I'm glad your back among us!

-Tutt

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:56 am

An old friend of mine plays music on this movie - the hammered dulcimer, and the jews harp. I have always enjoyed this movie.

Post by **Hobie** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:24 am

I guess I need to watch this one...

I noticed that expense seemed to have a great deal to do with how good a person's equipment was. E.G. while the NWMP had an issue standard rifle scabbard for the 1876, lots of "Mounties" carried their rifles in the open, there was even a short Yaqui slide like thing for attachment to the saddlehorn. I imagine this is why so many old rifles look so rough.

Oh, and I just thought about that photo in Snooky's book with rifles hanging from the saddlehorns.

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:12 am

I first saw that film while living in South American. It came with Spanish sub-titles was was called "Cabalgate Infernal". It has been one of the better James/Younger films.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:33 am

C. Cash wrote:Not as bad a feux pax as David Carradine carrying a Savage Single shot from K-Mart! Looked right off the rack too...the kind where you pulled the trigger guard back to drop the barrel!

I noticed that first time I watched it. I'd love to be in charge of props on Westerns!!

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:50 am

game keeper wrote:
C. Cash wrote:Not as bad a feux pax as David Carradine carrying a Savage Single shot from K-Mart! Looked right off the rack too...the kind where you pulled the trigger guard back to drop the barrel!
I noticed that first time I watched it. I'd love to be in charge of props on Westerns!!

Me too! Things have sure gotten better in terms of being period correct. This was a great movie for it's time and still is. It was our "family movie" growing up. My brothers named their Country/Southern Rock band The Long Riders in honor of it.

JB · Post by JB » Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:42 pm

Ysabel Kid wrote:I had heard the same - water drainage...

I don't like the end of my barrel sticking out of the holster or scabbard, but I've always preferred an open end to drain water and allow air to circulation to dry any moisture.

Big Bore 94 · Post by **Big Bore 94** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:19 pm

Being related to both the Younger and James families. Just once I would like to see the true story. About the only part hollywood gets correct is that they rode hores. But movies are for entertainment. Sit back and enjoy.

greasy dan · Post by **greasy dan** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:23 pm

So, Big Bore 94...
Why don't you write a book and have it published, and become famous... so all your friends here @ Leverguns can say "yeah, I knew him..."
Write the book, about the truth, of the Youngers and James. I would buy one. I am sure most of this crowd would be interested in the story as well.
Heck, they might even make a movie about your book . Course, you know how much those Hollywierd people would mess it up though. Or just maybe they would get Sam Elliot and Tom Selleck and Robert Duval and Kevin Costner to be in it, and make it really good.
Then, maybe you could get rich and buy/build a really nice open shooting range where we could come and compete against one another with our very own Leverguns. Dang, I'm getting excited just thinking about it.

Big Bore 94 · Post by **Big Bore 94** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:28 pm

Read I, Jesse James. By his great grandson by Judge James R. Ross. As I understand hollyweird has the "Rights" to the story and can make it as dramatic as they see fit. Yes the family stories not tales are interesting. Read about Cole Younger as well. But who wins the wars also gets to write the history. Lots of action in these parts starting with the Missouri compromise and ending with the death of "Mr. Howard". By The way the real Mr. Howard resided on the other side of the river. Always ready with fresh horses.

jd45 · Post by **jd45** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:40 pm

Big Bore, correct me if I'm wrong, but anything about them ridin hores would be X-rated, if I'm not mistaken! (grin) jd45

greasy dan · Post by **greasy dan** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:14 pm

Both books are on the way to my home, via Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0946062250
... and
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0873513932
Thanks... Big Bore

gtaylor · Post by **gtaylor** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:23 pm

ScottT-

I used to have a link to a cavalry re-enactment site that showed we used a scabbard (boot) much like that for the trapdoor springfields. They were carried vertically, muzzle down, behind the troopers right leg, if I remember correctly. I would have to concur on the "Kinda hard on the barrel and front sight"

As I understood the old mountain man, he typically had "Betsy" in a full soft buckskin sheath, then "buttoned" to his saddlehorn with a piece of stiffer leather, across his lap. (Always figured that the rifle was "in hand" while mounting and dismounting with this one.)

http://www.carricoleather.com/saddleaccouterments.html

Midway down the page

(edited to add boot link)