Saw it today in Orlando. Seems to show a Mauser or a 1903 used with round nose bullets, and a pistol with no rear light and hammer down, held by a man who is OK with losing an eye to a recoiling slide. No idea who the background foes are supposed to be.
Rifle is consistent with either 1903 with the “S” style straight stock or one of the Spanish Mausers. Sling mount is consistent with either.
The red tile roofs in the background make me think this is supposed to be from the Spanish Civil war of 1936. That would make the rifle either a 1916 or 1893. 7mm ammo was round nose originally, so that would be consistent.
Handgun looks like a small 1911 (sort-of) so a Star maybe. (the lack of cocked hammer makes me shake my head and go *huh*)
It better not be cocked, else he’s risking a serious injury.
IIRC it is from the Spanish Civil War. Artists are not always accurate in their depictions of events.
Rifle is a Mauser, bayonet is way too short for an 1903. Also bolt handle is straight. Scene could be Spain, Mexico or any of a number of South American countries that experienced revolutions in the late 19th or early 20th Century.
There are uniforms in the background, presumably the enemy. Somebody who knew uniform history decently might be able to confirm (or refute) the theory that this was supposed to be Spanish Civil War of 1936 from that.
It shows a man about to get a black eye.
The term “artistic freedom” comes to mind. 🙂
That pistol hold is more in the relm of humor, but humor is art.
Mexican Revolution of 1910? The large sombrero in the foreground suggests it as does the red-coated soldier in the background.
Just a guess.
This. The sombrero is the giveaway.
Id vote for Mexico. It looks a lot like a Trejo pistol
I vote for the 1910 Revolucion Mexicana, as well. It might also be the Cristero War of 1926-29, with the Christians against the government. I’m just not sure of the army uniforms, however. Anyone know Mexican military history really well?
Good point! Didn’t think about that.
The more I look at this, the less like the Spanish Civil War it seems.
So little of the pistol is shown that it might be a double action revolver. At least the guy wouldn’t loose an eye that way.
Good point on the gun. Not sure the revolver wouldn’t still recoil into his face.
It’s pretty definitely, as best you can say for a painting, a M1893 Mauser, and what with the sombrero, rifle, background, and context, I would concur Mexico, though I can’t say what war. The pose of the handgunner looks more like he’s drawn back into cover rather than actively sighting and firing.
CornwEll?
The bullets look like 6mm Lee, as used in Peking by US Marines during the Boxer Rebellion. A little early for automatic pistols though.
Lee was a straight pull though.
Red uniforms could be British at Peking. Massive wall was in back of the British and US legations. Germans were driven off the war, and US Marines took it back.
Eventually the Japanese led the way for the relieving force back to the legation area…
Cornwell’s bio suggests he was doing a lot of adventure-story illustration in the 20s and 30s.
There’s an excellent chance that this painting represents no actual incident or war, even though the arms are doubtless modeled off real weapons.
(The setting could certainly be Mexico, or Spain, or any number of places with Spanish architectural influence, of course.)
I note that the ground around the shooters’ feet is littered with cartridges (as opposed to empties)…….. some mangled …… and the enemy has gotten behind their left flank ….. they’re screwed.
Southside of San Antonio, last weekend…………………………………..
Does the painting have a title? There may be clues there as to whether the inspiration for this work was fictional or real life.