(Pardon the intrusion, but this other DWG has always fascinated me.) Ref to CW vet advisors makes me wonder if some of them may have included those with vested interest in disposing of stock of Trapdoor Springfields as movie props(!?).

You doubtless know (but perhaps there are new-comers who don't) the story that DW was once asked how he was able to get such amazingly authentic combat scenes in his movies. His reply was "I use live ammunition."