Jaws turned 50 this year, and it was everywhere—rightfully so—as fans, filmmakers, and movie theaters paid tribute to Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking summer blockbuster. If you’re in Los Angeles, you can also visit a fantastic exhibit at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures packed with props, memorabilia, and more from the film’s shark-infested corner of Hollywood history. But two key screen-used items were somehow not in that exhibit, and now we know why: they’re going up for sale at an upcoming auction.
The items: the fishing rod and harpoon rifle used by Robert Shaw’s shark hunter Quint, who has a personal vendetta that propels his enduring vendetta against the ocean’s more fearsome predator. Technically, you won’t be able to cast your lot for these items until early 2026, when Propstore’s Spring Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction in Los Angeles officially opens (more details forthcoming here). But if you’re a Jaws fan with a regular-sized bank account and couldn’t dream of actually bidding on them, a look from afar is the next best thing.
First up, here’s the “original, screen- and photo-matched W.W. Greener Harpoon Rifle Mark II (est. $250,000–$500,000), complete with its matching case and custom effects-made shark dart,” as described by a Propstore press release. Richard Dreyfuss’ character, Hooper, also uses the harpoon launcher in the film. As the press release mentions, the auction lot also includes the case Quint himself uses to tote it around.
Less expensive but also guaranteed to take a great white-sized chomp out of your wallet is “Quint’s screen- and photo-matched Fenwick 130 lb. fishing rod with its production-used Penn Senator 16/0 reel (est. $75,000–$150,000).”
Though obviously these come with prices attached, they’re really priceless: as Propstore’s press release points out, “both pieces survived one of film history’s most notoriously punishing ocean shoots, where saltwater, stunts, and an infamously temperamental mechanical shark destroyed much of the production’s gear.”
That’s also a big reason why Jaws props are so incredibly rare.
“Jaws is a challenging title for memorabilia collectors—it is one of the most successful and beloved blockbusters of all time, but very few fully verified props or costumes have ever surfaced from the film,” explained Brandon Alinger, Propstore’s chief operating officer. “These two pieces are certainly some of the most significant ever offered at public auction, with the harpoon launcher bearing extra significance due to how extensively it is featured in the film and how much of a role it plays in the plot of the film. In our 30 years in the prop and costume industry, this is the single finest Jaws piece Propstore has ever seen. Its appearance now, at the film’s 50th anniversary, makes this rediscovery all the more remarkable.”
Given that context, it seems likely these Jaws props may fetch even more than those estimates. We’ll find out in March 2026, when Propstore opens the bidding.
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