Well I'm back, and apparently so is that wonderful Mudcat wit that I love so much!
OK, where to begin:
Django played almost exclusively Selmer and Maccafferi guitars. Mac designed them and later Selmer (the horn company) made them. They were very loud, crudely made and most definitely WOOD! I own one of the rare plastic ones made in the 50s (after Django's death at 42). Mac came to the states and became an injected plastic mogul. His big items were the clothes-pin, 8 track cartridge, Arthur Godfrey uke, and the aforementioned plastiguitar. They never caught on, although they sound reasonably good.
The one film clip doesn't show a whole lot as Mike says, but I've seen literally hundreds of pictures, and heard millions of words (can you tell I'm a fan?) which give a pretty accurate picture of his rhythm and lead style. He certainly could use the two immobilized fingers as part of a chord (9ths, minor 7ths, and especially 6ths) and like all self-taught players made use of his thumb.(Segovia would not approve, but he couldn't swing to save his life!)
Everyone close to him and especially his brother Joseph and son Babik remark on his quickness and knowledge of 4 or 5 scales, as well as his "huge ears!" (a jazz term for those who listen well and can remember chord changes instantly)
Teaching someone how to play effective rhythm guitar in a Django style is not as difficult as it might seem (any takers? Peter?). It involves a simple but solid right hand pick attack and about 6 (only) left hand chords.
Like one of my other favourite musicians, Bix Beiderbeke, Django was notorious for showing up on gigs in his tuxedo, but sans shoes! Gotta love someone like that! Tells me he's got his priorities in order. While living in Paris, the only local guitarist he thought really fit to jam with (other than his brother) was Oscar Aleman. (who I strongly suggest you hunt down)..he's superb!

Rick