In 1975, the film “Jaws” electrified audiences across the country. The movie centered on the fictional beach town of Amity (portrayed by Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.), which was terrorized when a great white shark began picking off swimmers. While the good ship Orca carried a determined crew of shark hunters who tried a variety of methods to end the shark’s life, in the end success came only with the use of this 1944-vintage Springfield Armory M1 Garand rifle. The rifle is currently on loan to the National Firearms Museum from Mike Papac/Cinema Weaponry and can be viewed in our newly refurbished and expanded “Hollywood Guns” exhibition in the museum galleries.
The NRA National Firearms Museum at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Va.; the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum at Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Mo.; and the Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, N.M.; each have fine selections of historic arms on display. Admission to each is free, and donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, visit nramuseums.com, phone (703) 267-1600 or email [email protected].
