An M95A1 Phased Plasma rifle from James Cameron’s sci-fi action sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The Terminators of the Future War and their human Resistance opponents used plasma rifles when the fully-grown Resistance leader John Connor (Michael Edwards) led the final assault against Skynet. With distinctive markings on the side of the weapon, this particular plasma rifle screen matches the one first seen in the film, carried by the endoskeleton that crushes the skull underfoot.

The T-800 endoskeletons and their weapons were designed by legendary Academy Award®-winning effects artist Stan Winston and concept artist Steve Burg. Winston and his team created the endoskeleton puppets seen walking the desolate landscape, while Burg, working with considerable input from Cameron, designed the futuristic war machines for the opening scene. Burg has noted that Cameron’s prime directive was “make it look cool.”

The plasma rifles were based on the Calico M960 9mm submachine gun. The gun is static and made of resin, resin-coated biscuit foam and metal, and has been hand-painted to look entirely metal to fit with the Future War aesthetic. It has been intentionally tarnished and distressed to look battle-scarred and well-used.

It displays wear from production use and age. The large ammunition magazine is now predominantly black, the silver paint having worn away. The small fin under the barrel has come off and the area has since been repainted and repaired. The sight is missing, and there are areas, most notably around the grip, where the paint has deteriorated, revealing the resin beneath.