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Quint's (Robert Shaw) screen- and photo-matched Fenwick Deluxe 670 130 lb. big-game trolling rod from the shark-hunting sequences aboard Quint's ship, the Orca, in Steven Spielberg's Jaws. The rod played a memorable and narratively crucial role aboard the Orca. In one of the first major encounters with the Great White terrorizing Amity Island, Quint used this rod as he attempted to hook the shark. When the line suddenly tightened and the rod strained under the enormous force, it became clear that something far larger than expected was stalking the vessel, forcing Quint to declare "He's a smart, big fish!" As Quint, Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) each engaged with the rod, the increasingly tense sequence featured each of the actors interacting with it - giving the camera several angles of the wraps, rollers, and hardware, all of which match precisely to this example.
The hand-wrapped twine detail above the upper Hypalon grip forms a naturally irregular criss-cross pattern that matches exactly to close-ups from the sequence. The Fenwick decal placement, intentional weathering, and the distressed hardware finish applied during filming all align. The rod specifically screen-matches to several close-ups in the film based on the twine wrapping and applied weathering, and also photo-matches to production stills of Scheider. Even the screw heads in the roller guides remain oriented at the same angles visible in production stills and the finished film - an exceptional surviving detail that further confirms the match.
This rare 130 lb.-class Fenwick - the largest class the company produced - features a composite fiberglass blank, stainless steel butt, Hypalon pads, and Mildrum double rollers. The rod's serial number "L 124485" indicates manufacture in 1973-74, perfectly aligning with the 1974 shooting period. The included Penn Senator 16/0 reel is a production-used example taken out during filming; while not believed to be the exact reel seen in close-ups, it is the correct model used on set, differing only in handle style.
While an additional backup may have also been present for production, this is the rod that matches every shot in which it is clearly visible in the final film and in production photographs, identifying it as the rod used onscreen aboard the Orca. These 130 lb. Fenwick rods were scarce even when new and are now extremely difficult to locate, with Jaws enthusiasts frequently searching for correct examples and rarely finding them.
After filming, the rod returned to a Los Angeles prop house. The current owner acquired it in the early 1980s for personal use and later confirmed its Jaws provenance through discussions with fellow property master Frank Nifong.
Jaws became the highest-grossing film in history upon its 1975 release - the first to surpass $100 million - and established the foundation of the modern summer blockbuster. Ranked by the American Film Institute among the top 50 American films of all time, it remains one of cinema's most influential works. Very few definitively screen-matched items from the film survive, as the demanding ocean shoot destroyed many props, and little was retained afterward. As an unmistakably verified piece of Quint's gear, used by multiple principal actors in a pivotal sequence aboard the Orca, this rod stands among the most desirable and significant Jaws artifacts ever to come to public auction. Dimensions: 80" x 11" x 11" (203.25 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm)
Special shipping required; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.
Contains mechanical components; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.
Estimate: $75,000 - 150,000