Many say that the Second Boer War was the first of the modern era. They will site the use of magazine rifles, the machine gun and trenches. Unfortunately that is not quite true. The Spanish American War of 1898 precedes the events of the Boer War by more than a year. Trench warfare in some.
The author of the Sherlock Holmes books had a very poor knowledge of firearms and of some other topics about which he wrote. Didn't care to do much research, either.Given that Dr. Watson, an Army surgeon, retired somewhere around the early 1880's, I think his 'service revolver' was probably an Adams or Tranter.
They were better finished and more prestigious than Webleys until the mid-'80's. Or, so I've read.
I'd have to see some to compare and haven't. I have handled a Webley Army Express.455 and it was well made, and looked somewhat like a Colt DA Frontier contemporary. I hope it had a better rep for durability of the lockwork.
And I've seen Webley WG's, made VERY well, indeed. The later Webley govt.- issued guns were more plainly finished, with harder, less smooth trigger pulls.Who here has seen and handled Adams and Tranter guns? What did you think of them? Now that I think of it, I have handled an Adams MK III, many years ago.
Nice gun, and slimmer in the hand than expected. But the.450 ammo was weak, something that Watson, being a doctor, would have been aware of, especially as the gun did not perform well in the Afghan wars or against the Ashanti tribe in 1878. Never saw any figures from the 1879 Zulu conflict.I do know that some British officers bought Colt and S&W guns for American cartridges. Fosbery said that the best stopper he saw on the NW Frontier of India was the Colt Frontier.44/40. He didn't say if he had observed the.45 Colt in action. Quote was in, 'The Peacemaker and Its Rivals', by Parsons, about 1950-'52.But a big Colt or S&W No.
3 wouldn't have fit in Watson's coat pockets in his London adventures with Holmes. An Adams might, or the Webley RIC model in.450 or.455.What do YOU think Watson's gun was, and why? I danged sure don't think I'd feel comfortable using it against The Hound of the Baskervilles. I'd want a.45 Colt or a rifle for that errand.Holmes seemed to carry a small.450 of the sort used by London detectives then. 2 of some books is, of course, a cartridge, not a gun. Sir Arthur C. Doyle may not have known the difference.
His contemporary, Sir Henry Rider Haggard ('King Solomon's Mines') was FAR more gun knowledgeable, and had served in South Africa during the Second Zulu War. But his characters carried Colt SAA.45's. That was very logical for them, perhaps less so for Watson.Last edited by Lone Star; at 12:26 AM. A number of years ago I purchased, through another dealer, the contence of a safe deposit box which had belonged to Sir Arther Conan Doyle, the box contained a.476 WG Model 1892 Army revolver and a.38 Colt M1902 military model pistol. The pistols had been left with Doyle's London solicitors in 1921 when the Firearms Act first became law. It appeared Sir Arthur did not trust the authorities, (how wise) the pistols were stored in the solicitors safe deposit box and appear to have been forgotten when he died in 1930.
It was only when a rationalization of the various deposits was undertaken in 1974 that the weapons were found and sold.The Webley WG revolver was retailed by the Army & Navy Co-op Stores Ltd. And so engraved on the rib of the barrel. Researching though the ANCSL records I discovered that it had been sold on the 8th March 1893 to J. (Royal Artillery) subsequent research into the Army Lists reveal his name to be John Francis Innes Hay Doyle. My search next turned to the Biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, where I discovered that Arthur had a younger brother, named John Francis Innes Hay Doyle, known as Innes. The two brothers were very close and shared a residence together at Southsea near Portsmouth between 1882 and 1885. Later in 1894, when Arthur's books had made him famous,the brothers toured the U.S.A.where Arthur lectured and read from his own works, rather as Dickens had done twenty five years before.During the South African War, Arthur volunteered his medical services and went to Bloemfontein where he helped to look after the British soldiers during a typhoid epidemic.
It was during this time that he found time to write his book 'The Great BoerWar'.Innes Doyle rose to be a Brigadier General. He served in China in 1900, South African War in 1902, operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, served in WW1, mentioned in Despatches on four occasions and was awarded the C.M.G.
He died on 19th February 1919 and is buried near Brussels.The Colt Model 1902 was shipped circa 1915; it had original London Proof marks and also stamped 'JJ' on the right side of the frame above the trigger guard. The use of the 'JJ' stamp indicates retail sale by the London Armoury Company.
It is not thought the records of the L.A.C. Still exist, so I could not confirm who originally purchased the Colt.It is not known when Arthur acquired the two pistols; possibly they were part of Innes' effects returned to his widow, Clara, who passed them on to Arthur. Both pistols showed the hard work they had done, they had been much carried and little original blue remained, this would possibly indicate their use by Innes for much of their working life, remembering he served both in China and South Africa as well as in France. It is interesting to consider that Arthur would have seen and no doubt handled the Webley at the time he was writing the Sherlock Holmes novels.
It seems highly possible that when considering what form Dr. Watson's service revolver would take, he had this Webley 'WG' in mind.Richard MilnerLast edited by RichardMilner; at 08:33 AM. The following is an extract from a New Zealand Auction House catalogue from May 2009 ( Carvells ) I had the misfortune of being high bidder on these items only to find that the auction house had lost my confirmed bid. This was the first auction after the owner had died and there was a new auctioneer so I accepted their story but it was a real shame. This may show some light on how Doyle was minded to arm his detecting duo but I wouldn't feel comfortable calling either a service revolver although a doctor might not want to be hampered by some huge cannon swinging from his hip whilst working on a patient. As per pro nothing but to throw something else in, the latest Watson in the recent 'modern' BBC production of Sherlock Holmes, carries a Browning Hi Power and so far I haven't heard the faux pas of Holmes saying 'bring your service revolver Watson'!THE FOLLOWING 2 LOTS: are stated to have beenowned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle the author of SherlockHolmes.
They were purchased by our vendor late 1970’sfrom British auction houseWeller & Dufty. A cataloguepage stating the lots have been loaned to Whitbreads by amember of the Conan Doyle family for exhibition at theSherlock Holmes: public house in London. Also describesthe lots with serial No. Both are very fine guns ontheir own but with this providence are a unique one offoportunity and an interesting talking point.A nice quality Tranters Patent Model of 1865, solid frameD/action revolver 3 1/8' Octagonal barrel in.32CF calibermarked J.Blisset & Son, High Holborn London. The framemarked Tranters Patent and serial #31205, nicely scrollfoliage engraved frame, triggerguard & butt cap.
Retainsmost original blue and case colours. One piece chequeredwalnut grip.
Contained in its original oak case with greenbaize lining with trade label, cleaning rod, screwdriver, oilbottle,some ammunition and key. On the top of the caseare the initials A.C.D. C.L.R.357 - CASED 1867 TRANTER REVOLVERThe second of the Arthur Conan Doyle revolvers is aTranters Patent.450 cal revolver. 4' Octagonal barrel markedwith retailers name Cogswell & Harrison 223 & 24 Strand London. Also caliber & Birmingham proof marks. The cylinder is aLondon proof replacement which is stamped with the same serial #38352. The frame parts of the barrel trigger guard and buttcap are scroll foliage engraved.
Metalwork retains most original blue. Excellent one piece walnut chequered grips. Containedin its original green baize lined Oak case with Cogswell &Harrison trade label, oil bottle, cleaning rod, key & 5 rounds ofammunition. Beerhunter, I think its because Mr Milner is more selective than us with his comments and is highly focused.
I have only used the Forum with some vigour in the past couple of months and I'm already over 100 posts which surprised me when I noticed it. Problem with my own posts is that it is quantity not quality.Well, atone for that by posting photos of some Rigby rifles! Some.275's would be especially welcome, as well as some of the double rifles.
Have you any idea of how popular the.350 was? It seems never to have competed well with either the.318 Westley Richards or the.375 H&H. I gather that the ballistics were similar to the.35 Whelen.
Yes I know Flashman is a fictional character. I was viewing the writer's gun collection when he handed me the revolver with a smile on his face. I looked at the engraving and had a double-take when I saw the name. He featured it in one of his classic arms articles in the magazine he was writing for at the time.
At some time in the future someone is going to come across the revolver with the name engraved in Victorian era script and really puzzle over it! It was a while ago but I think it was an Adams. I'm glad to see there's still interest in this old topic.I read the G&A article, but long ago threw out that issue. Good to see the story again.Doyle's abysmal lack of firearms knowledge also affected his, 'The Lost World.'
I'd have enjoyed it a lot more had he mentioned suitable guns for the Challenger Expedition.The TV show that ran from 1999-2002 got it pretty well, although they moved the date from 1912 to 1919. That let them include some items like Colt Government Model.45's, unlikely in 1912, just as they reached the market. Challenger had a Colt SAA.45 with 5.5-inch barrel and plain wooden grips.The show was filmed in Australia, and one would think the prop house would have Webley MK VI.455's. But apart from the nickled pair that Lord Roxton wore when not wearing his Colt.45 auto, they were often subbed for by MK IV.38's!
I just finished 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band' in it Holmes asks Watson 'I should be very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your pocket. An Eley No2 is an excellent argument with a gentleman who can twist steel pokers into knots'. There is a foot note to this which says 'Actually a Webley's No2.320 caliber pistol that used Eley bullets.
I know next to nothing about Webleys so have no idea if this could be correct. The only Webleys I have seen were a friends, and one that a fellow Vietnamese Ranger advisor had in Vietnam, a.38 of some kind. I just finished 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band' in it Holmes asks Watson 'I should be very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your pocket. An Eley No2 is an excellent argument with a gentleman who can twist steel pokers into knots'. There is a foot note to this which says 'Actually a Webley's No2.320 caliber pistol that used Eley bullets. I know next to nothing about Webleys so have no idea if this could be correct.
The only Webleys I have seen were a friends, and one that a fellow Vietnamese Ranger advisor had in Vietnam, a.38 of some kind. 2 would be a 'Bulldog', thusly (top,.320).
Running time90 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishBudget$42 millionBox office$41.9 millionHolmes & Watson is a 2018 American written and directed. The film stars and as the eponymous characters and, with, and in supporting roles. The plot follows the famed detective duo as they set out to find the culprit behind a threat at.First announced in 2008 with as Holmes and Ferrell as Watson, Holmes & Watson languished in for several years before Ferrell and Reilly were confirmed for their eventual roles in July 2016, and Etan Cohen was announced as director. Filming took place around from late 2016 to early 2017. It is the fourth collaboration between Ferrell and Reilly after (2006), (2008) and (2013), though the first not to be directed by (who produced here).Holmes & Watson was released in the United States on December 25, 2018 by, through its label. The film, grossing $41.9 million worldwide on a $42 million budget and was panned by critics, who lamented its poor script, dated and unfunny jokes and its squandering of the cast and source material.
Some critics labelled it the worst film of 2018. The press reported numerous instances of people walking out early during screenings. The film was nominated for six, and won four of them, including.
Contents.Plot In 1867 England, suffered constant bullying from his classmates as a child; as a result, he sealed his emotions and dedicated his efforts strictly to knowledge, getting his classmates expelled for breaking rules. He befriends the caretaker's child, who is impressed with his brilliance.
Years later, Holmes is viewed as a legendary detective. Both he and Watson are to view the trial of, but are temporarily waylaid by a package sent by Moriarty and brought to them by their housekeeper,. At the trial, Holmes reveals the man accused of Moriarty's crimes is an imposter named Jacob Musgrave, who is incapable of committing the murders due to tremors in his hand caused by excessive masturbation. Despite attempts by to convince Holmes that his deduction is incorrect, Holmes is convinced that Moriarty is currently traveling to the United States.After the trial, the duo travel to Buckingham Palace to attend a surprise birthday party for Holmes, where they discover a corpse inside of a birthday cake along with a message from Moriarty, stating that will die in 4 days' time. During the autopsy, Holmes and Watson meet Dr. Grace Hart and the feral Millie.
Watson and Holmes become enamored with Grace and Millie, respectively. By the end of the autopsy, Watson declares that the corpse's cause of death is indeterminable, while Holmes believes that the person was poisoned. Furthermore, he believes that the poison came from Gustav Klinger. The pair eventually locate Klinger, who is indeed in league with Moriarty. Before Klinger can reveal anything, he is murdered.Holmes decides that he must seek help from his brother Mycroft, who tells him that the murderer is someone close to him.
Holmes mistakenly believes Watson to be the murderer and has him arrested. He comes to regret this decision, causing his emotions to return. Holmes goes to Watson's cell, only to find it empty save for a plate filled with red velvet cake crumbs. Deducing that his housekeeper made the cake and that Watson left the crumbs to send him a message, he tracks Watson and Mrs. Hudson, who is revealed to be Moriarty's daughter, to the, where the murder of the Queen is to take place.
After apologizing to and freeing Watson, they rush to the main room where they discover a bomb, which Watson throws out a window. The bomb lands in Mrs. Hudson's boat, killing her and her accomplices.The pair are congratulated by the Queen, only for Holmes to defer the credit to Watson. The pair reconnect with Grace and Millie, the latter of whom reveals that her feral personality was an act to manipulate men. Each pair shares a kiss before Grace and Millie head out on the Titanic.
After returning home, Holmes proudly displays a plaque on their building showing that Watson is a co-detective, finally giving him the recognition he desires (though it is still smaller than Holmes' own plaque). Later, Holmes and Watson confront Moriarty in a bar in the United States.Cast. as. as. as Dr. Grace Hart. as.
as. as. as Gustav Klinger.
as Millie. as. as.
as Flotsam. Scarlet Grace as Pickle.
as Doxy. as Brawn. as Billy Zane, in a homage to his role in. as Himself. as HimselfProduction. Where portions of the film were shot.In July 2008, it was reported that would play Holmes and would play Dr.
Watson in a comedic take on Sherlock Holmes, to be produced by with a script written by, for.On August 17, 2016, it was reported that Ferrell and would star in the film, titled Holmes & Watson, and written and directed by Etan Cohen, with Ferrell playing Holmes instead and Reilly playing Watson. On November 14, 2016, was cast in the film to play Millie, with whom Sherlock is obsessed. On November 17, 2016, and were added to the cast. On January 6, 2017, and also joined the cast. Filming commenced in early December 2016 in at. In early February 2017, film crews were on location at. A new song was written for the film by and his lyric-writer, while the original score was composed by Mark Mothersbaugh.
Release Holmes & Watson was originally scheduled to be released on August 3, 2018, but in August 2017 it was pushed back to November 9, 2018. It was then pushed back to December 21, 2018 and then finally to December 25, 2018. According to, test scores for the film were so low that Sony had tried to sell its distribution rights to, foreseeing a poor box office reception, but had no success.
Marketing The trailer was released on September 28, 2018. Reception Box office Holmes & Watson grossed $30.6 million in the United States and Canada and $11.4 million in other territories for a total worldwide gross of $41.9 million, against a production budget of $42 million.In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside and was projected to gross around $19 million over its first six days. It made $6.4 million on its first day and $3.5 million on its second. It went on to make $7.3 million in its first weekend for a six-day total of $19.7 million, finishing seventh. Publications reported numerous social media reports of audiences walking out of screenings early and argued that the film's critical and commercial failure illustrates a shift within the film industry away from broad comedy films with stars. In its second weekend, the film dropped 54% to $3.4 million, finishing 10th.
Critical response Holmes & Watson was not screened in advance for critics, who subsequently panned the film. On, the film holds an approval rating of 11% based on 75 reviews, with a weighted average of 3.05/10. The website's critical consensus reads, 'The lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson than does Holmes and Watson.' On, the film has a weighted average score of 24 out of 100, based on 23 critics, indicating 'generally unfavorable reviews'. Audiences polled by gave the film an average grade of 'D+' on an A+ to F scale, while those at gave it one out of five stars and a 30% 'definite recommend'.of called the film 'a Christmas turkey' and wrote, 'The overall shoddiness is typical of this feeble sendup that doesn't even manage to be as funny as the recent and versions.'
Ben Kenigsberg of found the film dull, writing: 'More laughs are all that would have been necessary to prevent the stagnation of Holmes & Watson. As the movie stands, smuggling in booze to dispel the sense of dull routine could only help.' Of called it 'a failure on almost every level,' further saying, 'it's pervaded by an air of extreme laziness. It's cheap and tacky—a bizarrely dated parody of Ritchie's Holmes (complete with a soundalike score) poisoned with rib-elbowing topical references and puerile gags. It's the Sherlock Holmes movie with the red 'Make England Great Again' hat and the lactating Watson.'
Writing for, David Fear called the film 'so painfully unfunny we're not sure it can legally be called a comedy,' and gave it 0.5/5 stars. Tony Libera, writing for, described the film as 'not only bad, but one of the worst and unfunniest movies of 2018.' He further said ' Holmes & Watson is on another level of awful.'
Graeme Tuckett of gave the film two stars, saying that while it 'has a handful of moments of genuine comic lunacy. All they really do is highlight the laziness and lack of laughs in the rest of the film.' Reviewer David Ehrlich criticized the script and inability of the film to decide 'what kind of dumb it wants to be', giving it a grade of C– and saying that it contained fewer laughs 'than the deleted scenes of.' David Edelstein of said ' Holmes & Watson begins as ineptly as any comedy I’ve seen, and then settles into an agreeably silly groove that had the common hordes around me yukking it up.' Jake Wilson of was more positive, writing ' Holmes and Watson is not for everybody, but if you want to see Ferrell off the leash, this is the best opportunity in a long time.'
Accolades AwardCeremony dateCategorySubjectResult, Jimmy Miller &WonWonWill FerrellNominatedWill Ferrell andNominatedJohn C. ReillyWonWonReferences. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
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