Factual error: Graham repeatedly sings a song he says his grandmother taught him: "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown, What You Gonna Do When the Rent Come Round?" This was a Vaudeville stage composition written by Andrew B. Sterling and Harry Von Tilzer - in 1905. High Chaparral is set in the 1870s.
The New Lion of Sonora - S4-E14
Factual error: In the 1870s, poker chips were made of wood and either branded or painted with denominational values. But the brightly colored chips on General Casados' table in this episode are very obviously made of plastic. (00:38:30)
The Kinsman - S1-E20
Factual error: Dan's wanted poster features a high-resolution 20th Century photo. In the 1870s, particularly way out west in frontier Arizona, the technology to reproduce and print photos like this was non-existent. Wanted posters sometimes had sketches of outlaws, but most often, they contained nothing but the name, reward amount, the crime, and a written description. (00:15:30)
Factual error: Ramon's six-gun fires more than a dozen times without ever being reloaded. (00:37:00)
Factual error: Though High Chaparral had a windmill and a water tower, there were no pipes to deliver water to the house - just a well that appeared in the yard only when called for in the script. They had plenty of eggs, but no chicken coops, and though Victoria always had fresh flowers in the house, we never saw a garden. We also never saw the ranch outhouse, but no surprise there: no one on TV in the 60s ever had a bathroom.
Factual error: In the final battle with the Apaches, Blue and most of the rest of the Chaparral men fire their 6-shooters dozens of times without ever reloading.
Factual error: Victoria's musical jewelry box has magical abilities. It can play its waltz tune ad infinitum without ever running down. In fact, we never see anyone wind it up: it simply plays the waltz endlessly every time the lid is opened. (00:17:00 - 00:25:30)
Factual error: Though they're supposed to be a Mexican cattle baron's family, the three Montoyas speak Spanish with somewhat different accents. This was because actors Frank Silvera, Linda Cristal and Henry Darrow hailed from Jamaica, Argentina and Puerto Rico, respectively.
Factual error: Despite taking a three-day trek across the blazing Arizona desert with no food, water or provisions (and definitely no knives or razors), neither John nor Manolito grows a beard, or even any stubble. They both arrive in Nevermore perfectly clean shaven.
Factual error: The Apache spearhead Buck appropriates is very obviously made from machine-tooled steel. Indian tribes in 1870s Arizona made their weapons points from hand-knapped stone and on rare occasions, iron. They never developed steel-making technology.
An Anger Greater Than Mine - S4-E1
Factual error: Diego's straight razor has a bright blue plastic handle. (00:08:00)
