Rossi is now offering a working Model 1892 large loop carbine that is the spitting image of the one used by John Wayne in several of his films, including True Grit. The Rossi 1892 also comes chambered in several popular calibers, including .38/.357, .44 Mag, .45 Colt, .44-.40, and .454 Casull. It also comes available either blued or stainless. The best thing about the Rossi 1892 is the price. According to the Rossi website, the MSRP is an affordable $635 (in case any of my kids or grandkids are reading this, “Hint, Hint”).
As I was researching this post, I came across a photo of the 1892 on display in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. According to many people (but not the Hall of Fame website), this is the gun actually used by John Wayne in Stagecoach, True Grit, and many other western films. In comparing it to screen shots of Stagecoach and True Grit, I think I can safely say no to one and maybe to the other. While Wayne may have used the 1892 on display in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in several of his films, he definitely did not use it in Stagecoach, and the only way it was used in True Grit, is if it is one of several similar 1892's used in that film.
First, compare the screen shot from Stagecoach to the photo of the 1892 on display in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. (click on either image to enlarge it).
In comparing the Hall of Fame 1892 to the screen shot from True Grit, although the two carbines are very similar, there are some differences in the wear on the stock. Some scratches and scuffs that appear on one, do not appear on the other. Most significantly is a very large and obvious blemish (noted by the arrow) that appears on the True Grit carbine, but not on the Hall of Fame carbine, nor is there any indication of any repair on the Hall of Fame carbine. That being said, the two are very similar, and since it was a fairly common practice to use more than one similar prop in the same film, the carbine on display in the Hall of Fame may very well be one of several similar carbines used in that film. (Click on the photo to enlarge it).