First Blood

First Blood Theatrical Poster Country United States Directed by Ted Kotcheff Release Date 1982 Language English Studio Anabasis Investments, N. V Distributor Orion Pictures Main Cast Character Actor John Rambo Sylvester Stallone Colonel Sam Trautman Richard Crenna Sheriff Will Teasle Brian Dennehy Deputy Sergeant Arthur Galt Jack Starrett Deputy Balford Michael Talbott Captain Dave Kern Bill McKinney Mitch David Caruso

First Blood is the 1982 action film that introduced the character of John Rambo to the silver screen. Based on the David Morrell novel of the same name and directed by Ted Kotcheff, the film stars Sylvester Stallone as Rambo, a former Green Beret and highly decorated Vietnam veteran who takes on a small town and its police force when the sheriff (Brian Dennehy) pushes him over the edge. Interestingly, it was originally intended as a slow-paced drama story with only occasional action, but the production staff felt that this simply was not working, while Stallone has since stated he wanted to buy the film and destroy it on viewing the rough cut, thinking it would destroy his career. The result was over two hours of the film ended up on the cutting room floor and the final film was completely transformed. In North American theaters, the film was released under the title First Blood, while internationally and on some video releases, it was released under the title Rambo: First Blood (in some instances to capitalize on the film's blockbuster sequel). Stallone would reprise the Rambo character in four sequels over the span of three decades, culminating in perhaps the final installment Rambo: Last Blood, which was released in September of 2019.

The following weapons were used in the film First Blood:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 66

Sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy) uses a Smith & Wesson Model 66 as his service weapon.

Smith & Wesson Model 66 - .357 Magnum

Smith & Wesson Model 66 in Sheriff Will Teasle's holster.

Teasle climbs onto the roof of the police station with his Smith & Wesson Model 66 in hand.

A Model 66 also appears in the gun store, likely the same gun.

Smith & Wesson Model 10

State troopers can be seen briefly firing what appears to be the Smith & Wesson Model 10 with a tapered barrel at Rambo when he commandeers the National Guard truck.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 - .38 Special

State troopers fire their Model 10 revolvers at Rambo in the National Guard truck.

Another shot of the Model 10.

Remington 1858

Seen briefly in a glass gun case is a Remington 1858 New Army percussion revolver. Behind it sits a Starr 1858 Army revolver. To the left is what appears to be a Smith & Wesson Model 66.

Remington 1858 - .44 caliber

Starr 1858 - .36/.44 caliber

The Remington 1858 sits in the case along with the Starr 1858 and the Model 66.

M1911A1

In a recently discovered alternate ending to the film, Rambo has Col. Trautman (Richard Crenna) kill him with his M1911A1 sidearm. Trautman aims the gun away, but Rambo jams it to the gut and kills himself. This is similar to how the novel First Blood ended (in the novel Trautman is forced to gun Rambo down using a shotgun), but the decision was made to release the film with Rambo surviving at the end. This scene was viewed as a nightmare sequence in the 2008 sequel Rambo.

M1911A1 - .45 ACP

In a recently discovered alternate ending to the film, Rambo pulls out Trautman's Colt M1911A1.

Rambo chambers Trautman's Colt M1911A1.

Trautman is forced by Rambo to shoot him in the gut, killing him. This is similar to how the novel First Blood ended, but the decision was made to release the film with Rambo surviving at the end.

Machine Guns

M60

An M60 machine gun is the major weapon used by John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) in the film. He first removes it from the back of a National Guard truck and uses it to shoot up various buildings in town, including the police station.

M60 Machine Gun with bipod folded - 7.62x51mm NATO

Rambo removes the M60 from the personnel truck.

John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) carries the M60 and extra ammo as he prepares to set a gas station on fire.

Rambo uses the M60 to take down a power transformer.

Rambo fires at the transformer.

Rambo with the M60. Note how the ammo belts Rambo carries around his chest are somewhat different from the ones seen in the previous shot.

Rambo fires the M60 on the police station. The ammo belts on his chest do not appear to be 7.62 rounds.

Rambo continues to shoot up the station with his M60 machine gun. He is holding the ammo belt out in order to properly feed it into the machine gun. The "ammo feeding" was normally done by the assistant gunner, as the M60 was normally operated by two soldiers.

Rambo bursts into the gun store armed with the M60.

Rifles / Carbines

AR-15/SP1

Several of Teasle's deputies use AR-15/SP1 rifles as noted by their slab-side receivers lacking a forward assist. When fired in the film the guns are semi-automatic, further hinting they are civilian guns. When the guns fire fully automatic, they switch to M16A1s.

Slab Side M16 (AR-15/SP1) with M16A1-style flash hider - 5.56x45mm

Several AR-15 rifles along with two extended mag tube Remington 870 Folders are seen at the left in the police station.

Deputy Balford (Michael Talbott) with his AR-15/SP1. Note the lack of a forward assist.

A clear shot of the receiver of the AR-15/SP1 carried by Balford (Michael Talbott).

Sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy) with the AR-15/SP1 while on the roof of the police station.

Teasle fires his AR-15/SP1 at Rambo.

M16A1

M16A1 Rifles are used by several members of the National Guard as well as by law enforcement while they hunt down John Rambo. These guns replace the AR-15/SP1 when the officers fire fully-automatic. Rambo returns fire on the National Guard with a captured M16A1.

M16A1 with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm

Deputy Shingleton (David L. Crowley) takes aim with his M16A1.

Rambo returns fire on the National Guard with the rifle.

National Guard Lt. Clinton Morgan (Patrick Stack) with his M16A1.

Heckler & Koch HK93A2

A Heckler & Koch HK93A2 is used by Sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy) when he and his deputies hunt for Rambo in the forest. The HK93A2 noted by its curved box magazine, all-metal lower receiver, and full stock.

Heckler & Koch HK93A2 Full stock rifle with 25-round magazine - 5.56x45mm

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Teasle aims his HK93A2.

A good shot of the Heckler & Koch HK93A2.

Teasle armed with his HK93A2.

A shot clearly showing the curved magazine and receiver on Teasle's HK93A2.

Remington 700

A Remington 700 is held by the young boy (Danny Wozna) who is confronted by Rambo in the forest.

Remington 700 - .308 Winchester

Young boy holds the Remington 700.

Winchester Model 88

Deputy Sergeant Arthur Galt (Jack Starrett) first attempts to fire his Winchester Model 88 lever-action rifle at Rambo during his escape from the station. While riding in a helicopter, Galt is later seen attempting to snipe Rambo with the rifle. Rambo kills two dobermans with the rifle and wounds their owner before it runs out of cartridges.

Winchester Model 88 in .243, .284, .308 or .356 Winchester caliber (gun in film has scope).

Deputy Sgt. Arthur Galt (Jack Starrett) first attempts to fire his Winchester Model 88 lever-action rifle at Rambo during his escape from the station.

Galt readies his Winchester Model 88.

Galt fires his Winchester Model 88 at Rambo.

Winchester 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine

Seen briefly in the gun shop on a rack is a Winchester 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine.

Winchester '94 Saddle Ring Carbine - .30-30

At the far right, a Winchester '94 Saddle Ring Carbine sits on the rack.

Shotguns

Remington 870 Folding Stock

State Police Captain Dave Kern (Bill McKinney) can briefly be seen armed with a Remington 870 Folding Stock. These shotguns are also seen in the Teasle's police station and also in the hands of other state troopers.

Remington 870 Police Folder with extended magazine tube, stock extended - 12 gauge

Two extended mag tube Remington 870 Folders are seen at the left in the police station.

A state trooper is armed with the shotgun.

On the left, Kern (Bill McKinney) can briefly be seen armed with a Remington 870 with a folding stock.

12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun

A hunter is seen firing what appears to be a Double Barreled Shotgun into the air when a young boy is confronted by Rambo in the forest.

J. Stevens and Company Side by Side Shotgun (Circa 1878) exposed hammers and designed to fire Black Powder shotgun shells - 12 Gauge

A hunter fires his shotgun into the air.

Other

M72 LAW

Earl, a National Guard soldier, uses his M72 LAW to destroy the entrance to the mine after a shootout with Rambo.

M72A2 LAW - 66mm. The "Empty" marking makes it clear this is a spent tube.

Earl aims his M72 LAW.

Earl fires his M72 LAW.

Teasle's Gun Cabinet

Teasle keeps several rifles in his cabinet.

Teasle opens his cabinet.

Rambo's Survival Knife

Not a gun, but still the star of the Rambo films, Rambo's knife is a survival knife with a screw open hilt butt filled with a suture needle and thread, a compass, and has gnarled teeth to cut barbed wire. It is so sharp it can cut paper like butter. The knife for this movie, and its sequel Rambo: First Blood Part II were designed by famed knife-smith Jimmy Lile.

Reproduction Rambo knife.

"What do you hunt with a knife?" Teasle asks while holding the weapon. "Name it", responds Rambo.

Galt slices a piece of paper with ease with Rambo's knife.

Rambo with his knife during a confrontation in the woods.

Rambo holds his knife to Robert A. Cathcart, the National Guard truck driver.

"The Outpost"

Rambo is seen breaking into a gun store called "The Outpost". Several rifles and revolvers are seen in the store before he burns it down.

Several Winchester and other rifles are seen at the right.

At the far right, a Winchester '94 Saddle Ring Carbine sits on the rack. On the left, some Remington shotguns and other Winchester rifles are visible.

The Remington 1858 sits in the case along with the Starr 1858 and the Model 66.