Rifles portrayed accuratly in Enemy at the Gates?
One of my favorite films of all time is Enemy at the Gates with Jude Law and Ed Harris. Jude Law plays Vasili Zhaytsev, who was the famous Soviet sniper during the battle of Stalingrad who was credited with something like over 250 kills , by taking out Nazi officers and infantry. He used building rubble and other natural camouflage to his advantage, and I believe it was a Mosin Nagant (but correct me if I am wrong). My question is ,what did Ed Harris use for the German side?, and also, as far as tactics and combat rifle use, were those rifles capable of what they were shown to do. The movie looked realistic to me, but I want to know what you think?
Brian Ostro
member: NRA, John Birch Society, American Numismatic Association.
Brian Ostro
member: NRA, John Birch Society, American Numismatic Association.
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Ed Harris used a Zf(zielfernrohr)39 system. Known by collectors as the "High Turret" sniper rifle, it was the most successful of the German sniping rifles.
A Model 98k was selected for it's accuracy and mated with a Ajack, Zeiss, or other maker 6 power scope that was numbered to the weapon.
Original Zf39's are pretty rare and command a high price. Counterfeits have been produced and some are quite good. Consult someone knowledgeable before investing in one.
In Peter Senich's work, "THE GERMAN SNIPER", he interviews German snipers on the rifles, tactics, and fronts. What you saw in the movie was possible and a great deal more. An average shot for the Zf39 with a 100% kill ratio was 400 meters.
Some were longer.
The true story was a little less dramatic than the movie. Major Konig was killed in his hide, not advancing as depicted in the movie.0 -
All of the Senich volumes are incredible sources of immaculate detail. Each are painstakingly researched and a plethora of insight.
None are better than his works,IMHO....................0
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