Sgt Schultz/Hogans Heroes

[Fishnerd]

I was watching an old episode of Hogans Heroes and noticed Sgt. Schultz was carrying a Krag. I wasn't able to see specifically which model, but it definately was a Krag. Has anyone else caught this?

[Jim K.]

The issue has been discussed several times, with some fanciful explanations involving Norwegian Krags, stupidity by the prop department, etc.

The truth is much simpler. The actor, John Banner, was an Austrian Jew who hated the Germans and refused to touch a German weapon, so they gave him an American Krag.

Jim

[Dick Hosmer]

Yep - it was discussed back on the OLD Jouster!!

Have NO idea why it was selected from the prop company, where there must have been hundreds of Mausers to choose from.

Probably the best Krag - really, firearms in general - movie (pretty damn correct, too, since it was a John Milius film) was "The Wind and the Lion")

[Jim K.]

Only that the Mauser, at least in origin, was still German, which might have been a factor. Besides the show was entertainment and almost total fantasy. American and British POW's in German territory did try to escape and some succeeded, but if they left the camp to carry out sabotage and espionage operations, I have not heard of it. (Escapees who were returned did report what they saw, as did prisoners on work detail outside the camps. The information was sent to England by several methods.)

Those who have not travelled in foreign countries simply don't understand the language and customs barrier. An escapee, on the run, with counterfeit money, forged papers, and little or no knowledge of the language and customs would not stand much of a chance. Further, the Germans systematically kept POW's on minimal rations so they would be too weak to travel far if they did escape. It is amazing that any made it to Spain or Switzerland. In occupied countries, the resistance would help, but how did they know the escapee was genuine and not a Nazi plant?

Jim

[5MadFarmers]

The issue has been discussed several times, with some fanciful explanations involving Norwegian Krags, stupidity by the prop department, etc.

The truth is much simpler. The actor, John Banner, was an Austrian Jew who hated the Germans and refused to touch a German weapon, so they gave him an American Krag.

Jim

In the episode "Kommandant Schultz" Banner carried an MP40. So much for the "refused to touch a German Weapon" theory.

Truth is probably that the prop department just didn't care.

[Karl]

Yep - it was discussed back on the OLD Jouster!!

Have NO idea why it was selected from the prop company, where there must have been hundreds of Mausers to choose from.

Probably the best Krag - really, firearms in general - movie (pretty damn correct, too, since it was a John Milius film) was "The Wind and the Lion")

Dick, I too, really enjoy the movie, "The Wind and the Lion." However, wouldn't Marines of that day have used the Lee Navy straight pull rifles, rather than Krags? Karl

[Dick Hosmer]

Truth is probably that the prop department just didn't care.

THAT was never in question!!!

Banner must have either been ignorant about the origin of the MP40, or, perhaps, he was finally told just to do it or else.

[Dick Hosmer]

Dick, I too, really enjoy the movie, "The Wind and the Lion." However, wouldn't Marines of that day have used the Lee Navy straight pull rifles, rather than Krags? Karl

I think that could ALMOST be a toss-up, and given Hollywood's truly ABYSMAL firearms acumen/portrayal record, I'm inclined to give them a pass for W&L, considering that finding that many Lees, plus blank ammo, would have been a daunting task.

However, I NEVER, EVER give anyone a pass for M1892 Winchesters in the USCav! One of my pet peeves is the dreadful firearms-related accuracy of various History Channel (who tout themselves as being SO authentic, and would NEVER allow any POLITICAL incorrectness!) presentations.

[Plain Old Dave]

Dick, I too, really enjoy the movie, "The Wind and the Lion." However, wouldn't Marines of that day have used the Lee Navy straight pull rifles, rather than Krags? Karl

No, by 1900 or so the Krag was a multi-service small arm.

[jon_norstog]

[SIZE=4.... wouldn't Marines of that day have used the Lee Navy straight pull rifles, rather than Krags? Karl[/SIZE]

Actually some Marine units got issued Krags for the China Relief Expedition. General Chaffee somehow arranged for an extra 750 rifles and 500 carbines to be shipped with the troops he requested. He got the weapons. The Marines got most of them, but some apparently were given to allied troops. I think the Japanese got some.

http://books.google.com/books?id=S8YtE0SIDq0C&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=1894+krag&source=web&ots=rt8ie8ILIr&sig=SH3_se1VHskfCE63FSNgakl8NFQ#v=onepage&q=&f=false

This book has some interesting Krag lore as well as unit-level views of the campaign. Something in there for everyone!

jn

[irishsteve]

In one episode Hogen talks klink in to letting Lebo shoot a escaped lion with a special big game rifle.It turned out to be a M1 Garand ! Ive seen the Germans armed with Thompsons several times.This show was meant to entertain women,and kids,and it did.They seemed to do ok with uniforms thought.

[Roscoe Snyder]

And they were wooden prop Thompsons at that. In one episode (which I have been able to identify as episode 24, season one), a guard tower is shown and the gun in it is not an MG34 or MG42 but a U.S. M1918A2 Browning cavalry machine gun. In another episode, Hogan, Newkirk, and Lebeau have "escaped" and are carrying what look to be 1905 Colts. Between those and all the Krags, I wonder if someone who worked on the show was a collector of early 20th century U.S. martial arms and just let them use his.