Sands of Iwo Jima

Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)

Sands of Iwo Jima is the classic 1949 World War II film starring John Wayne as Marine Sgt. John M. Stryker. The film follows Stryker and his platoon as they participate in the battles of Tarawa and Iwo Jima. Filmed near Camp Pendleton in California, the movie featured several veterans of the actual battles as well as actual US Marines stationed at Pendleton.

The following weapons were used in the film Sands of Iwo Jima:

M1903A3 Springfield

The M1903A3 Springfield rifle is used by the Marines during training exercises at the film's beginning.

M1903A3 Springfield - .30-06

The M1903A3 Springfield rifle is used by the Marines during training exercises at the film's beginning.

M1 Garand

M1 Garands are used by a vast majority of the US Marines in the film, including Sergeant John M. Stryker (John Wayne), Corporal Richard Dunne (Arthur Franz), PFC Peter Conway (John Agar), PFC Al Thomas (Forrest Tucker), PFC Benny Regazzi (Wally Cassell), PFC Charlie Bass (James Brown), PFC Dan Shipley (Richard Webb), PFC Frank Flynn (Richard Jaeckel), PFC Eddie Flynn (William Murphy) and Private 'Ski' Choynski (Hal Fieberling).

M1 Garand - .30-06.

US Marine replacements carry M1 Garands over their shoulders.

Sergeant John M. Stryker (John Wayne) conducts a bayonet drill with Private 'Sky' Choynski (Hal Fieberling).

Sergeant Stryker holds his M1 Garand while on Tarawa.

M1 Carbine

US Marines can be seen using the M1 Carbine including Captain Joyce (John McGuire), Lieutenant Harold G. Schrier (who plays himself) and some Marines in the archival footage.

World War II Era M1 Carbine, with Dark Walnut Stock, 'L' peep sight and no bayonet lug - correct for most of WWII, shown with khaki sling and oiler and a period twin magazine pouch for buttstock

On Iwo Jima, Lieutenant Harold G. Schrier (an actual veteran of the battle and one of the Marines to put up the first flag on Mt. Suribachi) holds the M1 Carbine.

The Marine holding the M1 Carbine is Ira Hayes, who along with John Bradley (middle) and Rene Gagnon (far left) were three of the six actual men seen in the iconic photograph raising the second flag on Mt. Suribachi. Their story was told in Clint Eastwood's Flags of our Fathers.

M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle

PFC George Hellenopolis (Peter Coe) serves as the Squad's M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle gunner. Several other men can be seen using the BAR.

Browning Automatic Rifle M1918 - .30-06

A wounded Marine carries the Browning Automatic Rifle.

PFC George Hellenopolis (Peter Coe) serves as the Squad's M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle gunner. Note the early forend and early gas cylinder.

Browning M1919A4

The Browning M1919A4 can be seen mounted on the Amtracs and is used by Marines during the Tarawa and Iwo Jima battles.

Browning M1919A4 on an M31C pedestal mount - .30-06

Browning M2HB

The Browning M2HB machine gun is also mounted on the Amtracs and is used by Marines during the Tarawa and Iwo Jima battles.

Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG

M2 Flamethrower

The M2 Flamethrower is used by Marines to flush out the machine gun bunker at Tarawa.

M2-2 Flamethrower

Marine with the flamethrower at Tarawa.

The M2 Flamethrower is used by Marines to flush out the machine gun bunker at Tarawa.

M2 Mortar

An M2 Mortar is briefly seen when PFC Al Thomas (Forrest Tucker) goes to the rear to retrieve ammo.

An M2 Mortar is briefly seen when PFC Al Thomas (Forrest Tucker) goes to the rear to retrieve ammo.

Mk II hand grenade

Mk II hand grenades are seen used in a training exercise that nearly turns tragic. They are also carried by Marines as they hit the beach at Tarawa.

Mk II hand grenade.

Arisaka Type 38

Arisaka Type 38 rifles are used by Japanese soldiers when they ambush some Marines at Tarawa.

Arisaka Type 38 rifle - 6.5x50mm Arisaka

Nambu Type 99 Light Machine Gun

Japanese forces are seen firing the Nambu Type 99 Light Machine Gun as Stryker tries to throw the satchel charges during the battle of Tarawa.

Nambu Type 99 light machine gun 7.7x58mm Arisaka

Japanese forces are seen firing the Nambu Type 99 Light Machine Gun.

Colt M1911A1

The Colt M1911A1 is mainly seen in the holsters of numerous Marines including Stryker.

World War II issued Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP.

The Colt M1911A1 seen in the holsters of the Marine on the bottom left.