The Highwaymen, a movie about Frank Hamer and the killing of Bonnie and Clyde

[Redneck Zen]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8odfavYNzU&fbclid=IwAR2xKKfZ_1xI18VAHDHet exwh-3Ai2rUBoXHsBBiV61WoPBR-jeASTeUQcE

I'm pretty tired of most movies nowadays, especially those with guns. Too much high technology, tactical ballet and everyone wanting to be Bruce Lee with an AR or John Wick or whatever.

HOWEVER ... this one looks interesting.

For the uninitiated, the story of Frank Hamer and how he and three other Texas LEOs took down Bonnie and Clyde is one that still fascinates. This was in the heyday of 1911s, Browning Automatic Rifles, Thompson submachine guns and their brutal use.

Bonnie Parker was no Faye Dunaway. She was a cold blooded killer who loved the spotlight as much as shooting down cops in the face. Her big gun was a sawed-off Browning A-5 in 20 gauge.

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Clyde Barrow believed in superior firepower. I have to admire his taste in firearms as well as his stockpile of 100 BAR magazines.

57447

Frank Hamer reputedly used a Remington Model 8 in .35 Remington with a custom 20-round magazine. In 1934, this was the forerunner for y'alls patrol carbine. There is some controversy regarding this -- of course -- with the suggestion that he actually used a BAR. Either way, the man was a consummate gunfighter. Lots of lessons to be learned by studying the history of violence and gunfighting.

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And since I'm on a roll here, check out this article about Frank Hamer's 1911 (http://sightm1911.com/lib/history/hamer_guns.htm), which the author contends was a .38 Super, very popular at the time to deal with those pesky sheet metal automobile bodies and body armor. Even in the 1930s a gunfighter had to consider their choices in ammunition as well as firearms.

Anyway, if we're lucky the movie won't suck too badly. At the very least it will inspire some to look back and learn a thing or two.

[barnetmill]

I read a claim that for the killing of the barrows gang Hamer used a Remington model 8, but in 25 rem and not 35 remington. Not really important, just shows the vast number stories that are about. I think I read that from Skeeter Skelton that grew up knowing a lot of Texas Rangers and other texas lawmen. Nobody complained about the vast number of holes in Bonnie or Clyde either.

[Shooter Ready]

Thanks for sharing the link. I enjoyed reading G-Man by Stephen Hunter, which opens with the Bonnie and Clyde story.

Even back then, head shots would have solved the body armor problem.

[barnetmill]

Thanks for sharing the link. I enjoyed reading G-Man by Stephen Hunter, which opens with the Bonnie and Clyde story.

Even back then, head shots would have solved the body armor problem.
The BAR was also a good solution for the body armor of the era.

[JackH]

Glad you brought this up. About a month ago I finished reading Texas Ranger - a book about Frank Hamer. He was in a number of gunfights in his life and was one tough fellow. He used firearms, Bowie knifes and his fists and boots when necessary. Although Bonnie and Clyde may have been the most famous bad guys he took down there were a lot of others, including one guy shooting it out from the 2nd story of a building until Hamer took him out with a head shot from a rifle. One tough guy who I respect! JackH

[Gabriel Suarez]

Between this one, and Triple Frontier, I am liking Netflix.

[Gabriel Suarez]

https://youtu.be/Fo3yRLLrXQA

[chad newton]

Watch Godless if you haven’t yet.

[Papa]

Not that fond of Costner, less so of Harrelson, but I'll check it out.

57454

Hamer used a Model 8 during the ambush, and was likely carrying "Old Lucky," his .45 Colt, and a Colt .38 Super (or is that Super .38?). Latest research is that the Model 8 was a standard 5-shot magazine rifle, as the extended mags were not yet available, and that the extended mag version and the Colt Monitor were acquired afterwards

.57455

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No question but the extended Model 8 and the Monitor are more photogenic.

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[Johnny C!]

I just finished watching 13 Hours for the first time.

I couldn't make myself watch it when it first came out.

[CZ Man]

Both films look good to me. I just finished reading Stephen Hunter's 'G Man' as well, so I'm on a bit of a gangster themed kick.

[Papa]

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Young Frank Hamer

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Wise Frank Hamer

Live and learn, life changes you.

[maxcarp]

I'm in! I might even go see in a theater. The trailer got me when the BAR opened up.Kevin Costner is alright by me.He did a great job in The Untouchables. Sean Connerys recitation of the Chicago Rules will ring out for generations. I have seen a documentary on Frank Hamer and was impressed. Looking forward to the movie.

[Maddog6]

My aunt knew Frank Hamer. She was there at card games he attended. I am going to give her a call and tell me some more of the stories.

[Mike Heckathorn]

It’s rumored that Hammer was the man who actually killed B&C. While the ensuring gunbattle was epic, there were reports that Hammer fires 2 shots from his model 8 and then sat down and lit a Camel cigarette. B&C were found with dead center hits to the head. He was also one of the most accomplished lawmen ever. IIRC, the estimates on his body count were between 50 and 70.


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[Greg Nichols]

IIRC, the estimates on his body count were between 50 and 70.



53 by Hamer's account.

[Jsavik]

53??? We could use about a 1000 Frank Hamers nowadays to get this country straightened back up!

[Shooter76]

Anyway, if we're lucky the movie won't suck too badly. At the very least it will inspire some to look back and learn a thing or two.

The movie looks very much like a Western... Say what you will about Costner, the man makes great Westerns (and baseball movies)!!

[chad newton]

Damn, the good old days.....

[jesmith]

It’s rumored that Hammer was the man who actually killed B&C. While the ensuring gunbattle was epic, there were reports that Hammer fires 2 shots from his model 8 and then sat down and lit a Camel cigarette. B&C were found with dead center hits to the head.
Rumor is likely false. The car shows evidence of sustained and accurate gunfire by hi-powered rounds. Also death photos show no head wounds on Bonnie or Clyde.

https://allthatsinteresting.com/bonnie-clyde-deaths

[Chainsaw76]

Hamer was a Federal agent (revenuer) in the Austin area for a while. My grandmother disliked him as he was trying to catch her father, brothers, and husband making and selling moonshine. Grandpa made a quality product that county and state officials really liked. The feds never seem to appreciate talent for some reason.

jim

[Chainsaw76]

I don't remember the names, but there was a San Antonio gunsmith that catered to gunmen of whatever stripe that made custom extended magazines for Remingtons, Colts and the like. Stories areound here are that Hamer went there for an extended cap mag(s) before his hunt for B&C. Everyone says .35 Rem was the caliber.

jim

[Sam Spade]

I don't remember the names, but there was a San Antonio gunsmith that catered to gunmen of whatever stripe that made custom extended magazines for Remingtons, Colts and the like. Stories areound here are that Hamer went there for an extended cap mag(s) before his hunt for B&C. Everyone says .35 Rem was the caliber.

jim

Hyman Lehman. Lord, the stuff that sticks...

[AKICEMAN]

I just watched it the other night. Good flick for gun guys ..especially liking the old stuff like the BAR'S and 1911's. Kinda gritty. The made out like Hamer was retired and living high in Texas with a well to do wife. Woody harrelson's character Gault was made out to be a loser kind of and down on his luck..not working .. he spoke a couple times in the movie about seeing faces in his dreams.. the guns looked great. Costner walked into a gun shop and seemingly personally purchased a carload of weapons .. Bar, Monitor, Thompson, I think a 1911, and a short Remington model 11 auto which is basically an Auto 5..
Without giving too much away they ambushed them on a country road and 5 or 6 men shot Bonnie and Clyde ALL TO HELL. I thought Costner had a BAR ..I missed what he grabbed but didn't rewind.
They also portrayed them not being able to shoot for shit anymore as "has been" lawmen.. Ma Ferguson called them something like horse cowboys or something similar. Cool movie worth watching even with Woody and Kevin being what they are.

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[Papa]

Hyman Lehman. Lord, the stuff that sticks...

He's the guy that built .45 and .38 Super full auto 1911 conversions, complete with Thompson VFGs, compensators and custom extended magazines. His clientele included Dillinger and Lester M Gillis.

[cannis latrans]

Test firing range in the basement. All this in Hunter's book. I live in San Antonio and knew friends of my Father and Grandfather that knew Hymie and his reputation. I believe his last name was Liebman.

[Greg Nichols]

I watched it the day it came out. I enjoyed it.

[Pict]

I liked it, especially how it didn't follow or glorify B&C at all but stayed with the perspective of Hamer and Gault getting ghosted repeatedly but slowly closing in. I also liked how they brought out the contrast between the old west lawman fading away and the new tech oriented law enforcement coming into play.

[Badger]

I liked it, especially how it didn't follow or glorify B&C at all but stayed with the perspective of Hamer and Gault getting ghosted repeatedly but slowly closing in. I also liked how they brought out the contrast between the old west lawman fading away and the new tech oriented law enforcement coming into play.

Agreed. I liked that they barely showed them. I wish they would have done a few episodes in total though. I’m sure there was more than enough source material.

[NV28]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8odfavYNzU&fbclid=IwAR2xKKfZ_1xI18VAHDHet exwh-3Ai2rUBoXHsBBiV61WoPBR-jeASTeUQcE

I'm pretty tired of most movies nowadays, especially those with guns. Too much high technology, tactical ballet and everyone wanting to be Bruce Lee with an AR or John Wick or whatever.

HOWEVER ... this one looks interesting.

For the uninitiated, the story of Frank Hamer and how he and three other Texas LEOs took down Bonnie and Clyde is one that still fascinates. This was in the heyday of 1911s, Browning Automatic Rifles, Thompson submachine guns and their brutal use.

Bonnie Parker was no Faye Dunaway. She was a cold blooded killer who loved the spotlight as much as shooting down cops in the face. Her big gun was a sawed-off Browning A-5 in 20 gauge.

57446

Clyde Barrow believed in superior firepower. I have to admire his taste in firearms as well as his stockpile of 100 BAR magazines.

57447

Frank Hamer reputedly used a Remington Model 8 in .35 Remington with a custom 20-round magazine. In 1934, this was the forerunner for y'alls patrol carbine. There is some controversy regarding this -- of course -- with the suggestion that he actually used a BAR. Either way, the man was a consummate gunfighter. Lots of lessons to be learned by studying the history of violence and gunfighting.

57448

And since I'm on a roll here, check out this article about Frank Hamer's 1911 (http://sightm1911.com/lib/history/hamer_guns.htm), which the author contends was a .38 Super, very popular at the time to deal with those pesky sheet metal automobile bodies and body armor. Even in the 1930s a gunfighter had to consider their choices in ammunition as well as firearms.

Anyway, if we're lucky the movie won't suck too badly. At the very least it will inspire some to look back and learn a thing or two.


PM'd you with to 2 YT links on Hamer from cowboy to retired lawman.

[DaveJames]

Check the Ranger museum, great stuff about Hamer and others, I know the extended mags on the "8' where used by the Prison systems in the west, it may of just been a Remington add on, know its been tossed around for years.

[coastalcop]

"No man in the wrong can stand up against a fellow thats in the right and keeps on a-commin" Capt. Bill McDonald

Its on the back side of the coin the Rangers gave me after they cleared me on my first OIS ( They took two days, the grand jury took three months)