Sargent York - 1941

[Griz44Mag]

It has been a couple of decades since I watched this great movie.
The percussion long guns used in the movie were fantastic. Several of them that were shown in detail had beautiful curly maple stocks and one of then used by the younger York brother had an elaborate patchbox on it. One thing I noted though, almost every one of then had an overlength ramrod, extending 4" or more from the muzzle.
The fireplace scene at the 'shootin' contest where the old guy was casting balls was spot on.
I also noted the caliper used to measure the hits on the target. My grandfather had several pair of that exact caliper hanging on his work bench.
Great movie with lots of muzzleloaders and lots of WW1 weapons shown.

 

[hawkeye2]

In the closeups when they were shooting over the log you can see the flash from the percussion cap.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Yup- It's really hard these days to find a good movie to watch that promotes decency, honesty and basic God fearing family values without promoting Socialism, perversion and hatred of democracy.

 

[hawkeye2]

He was one of America's greatest heros.

 

[Eutycus]

I read somewhere that this movie was released at about the same time WWII was just getting off the ground, for America anyway. It was about WWI but it sparked just the right amount of Patriotism to really help with enlistment.Oh, The real Alvin York wouldn't sell the movie rights unless Gary Cooper portrayed him. He must have been a fan!

 

[andy52]

Alvin York's story is very interesting. He was 30 years old when drafted which is much older than most draftees in any following war. If my memory is correct the max-age for any draftee in WWII was 36 and that was only near the war's end.

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

Gary Cooper was a sportsman. He hunted with Hemingway and John Wayne. Imagine those conversations.

 

[mooman76]

One of my all time favorite movies.

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

York actually tried to re-enter the Army during WWII. He was around 54 years old. Unable to pass the physical, he was still commissioned as a Major in the Signal Corps. He toured training camps and participated in bond drives.

It was a different era. Everybody did something. He was a great American.

 

[toot]

Alvin York's story is very interesting. He was 30 years old when drafted which is much older than most draftees in any following war. If my memory is correct the max-age for any draftee in WWII was 36 and that was only near the war's end.

it too that long to find him in them thar hills!

 

[Eutycus]

The decorated wirh medals thing, What's sad is when you try and explain to explain to one younger than you just who Alvin York was. If you try comparing him to WWII's Audie Murphy. And you get a blank stare."Who was Audie Murphy"? Patriotism is hard to explain, yet really a simple thing.

 

[Artificer]

I had watched the movie a number of times as a child and a dozen or more times since. Actually, pretty much every time I got the chance. LOVE the Beef Critter shoot.

My Dad gave me his WWII copy of "How to shoot the U.S. Army Rifle" when I was in my 30's and I was surprised that MANY still pics from the movie are in it.

How to Shoot the U.S. Army Rifle : Infantry Journal : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Gus

 

[jdw276]

York shut the movie production down for over a day when he spotted gary cooper smoking. Anti smoker. Imagine that much control you could cancel a movie being made in your name. This is per one of his children. All of them, 10?, were named after presidents if i recall correctly.

 

[kje54]

Cooper's life history is quite interesting, His Father was a Montana Supreme Court Judge, Gary was born in Helena and spent some of his early childhood raised there but was sent to England for his education. He did a documentary of sorts before he died talking about the old west, very interesting documentary. Now if I could only find it I'd link the video.

 

[kje54]

Found the video, The Real West, the quality sucks but it's extremely interesting.

 

[OhioHawkeye]

I'm a huge fan of Sgt. York, for all the reasons stated by others above. The homestead, cemetery, and grist mill are there in Pal Mall, TN. I'm lucky because it is just north of Dale Hollow lake where my family has a house near Monroe. But every year in the spring (Last weekend of March) they hold a meat shoot in his honor. It is a chunk gun (over the log) shoot everyone goes home with meat. It has been a while since I went, but so wanted to this year. Sadly, I was recovering from spine surgery. Competitors traditionally wear traditional fedoras, suits or coveralls with a shirt and tie... and ladies nice dresses, (or some masculine)

Anyone interested in Hx and all kids should first see the movie, get to know his background and history a little better. Being thus prepared, make the pilgrimage to that area of North Central Tennessee. Do it at any time, but if you can at least witness the shoot along with the historic sites.. all the better.

On the way south to Pall Mall, from the state line on 127, is the Forbus general store... stop by and see their cigar Indians on the porch and get some fudge. After the shoot, go back north. At the state line use 111 from Static, go South towards Byrdstown, and get some fried catfish for dinner at the Farmhouse restaurant (Bob-Cat Den was a little further south, but closed 2019).
Then continue on south down to the Shell station and turn Right on Memorial drive. There you will find the Cordell Hull Homestead. Log cabin. He was the longest serving US Secretary of state. He had also been a Senator and a Representative. He was the person who spearheaded the founding of the United Nations for which he won a Nobel Peace Prize.
Take your fishing rod and Tent or trailer to stay at the state campgrounds at Dale Hollow. It truly is a beautiful part of the US with it's rolling hills. The world record smallmouth was taken near there. Smallmouth fishing is best at about the time the dogwoods are blooming. (end of April though May)
PS it's still in the Ohio River Valley. Dale Hollow (Obey R.) pours into the Cumberland which ends in the Ohio R.

 

[fjrdoc]

The real story is even more impressive than the movie version. You should watch this episode about Sgt. York made by the NRA for the 100 year anniversary of WW1. It is impressive to say the least.

'Over There': The Sgt. Alvin York Story | American Rifleman | Official Journal Of The NRA

 

[Tn poor boy]

Im friends with the York family we are going to have a shoot in September. Would any of you like more info

 

[Pork Chop]

I would like to hear about it.

 

[sportster73hp]

The gov issue 1911 carried by York is in a war museum in Bardstown KY. Just there last week.