The Omega Man is a 1971 science fiction thriller based on the novel "I Am Legend" written by Richard Matheson. This was actually the second feature film adaptation of the novel, the first being the 1964 film The Last Man on Earth. In the 1971 adaptation, Charlton Heston stars as Col. Robert Neville, who unexpectedly becomes the last human on earth devastated by a deadly virus. The novel would later be adapted again for the screen in 2007's I Am Legend, which used some of the elements added to this film. The Omega Man is considered by some to be part of Charlton Heston's unofficial trilogy of post apocalyptic films which included Planet of the Apes (1968) and Soylent Green.
The following weapons were used in the film The Omega Man:
Charlton Heston as Neville uses a Browning Automatic Rifle aka BAR M1918 Variant (with M3 infrared starlight scope and bipod removed) in The Omega Man. The mutated plague-victims in "The Family" believe that Science and Technology are what ultimately led to the germ warfare that destroyed human civilization, so they categorically don't believe in using any technology above the bow and arrow level, particularly guns. Neville, meanwhile, has no compunction against using technology, i.e. hunting The Family with automatic rifles fitted with infrared scopes so he can see at night as well as they can.
Robert Neville (Charlton Heston) has a German MP40 in his gun rack at his penthouse. It is amongst the guns smashed to the ground by Mathias' followers, but Neville manages to grab it and kill several mutants. A pivotal event in the film is when Neville has a chance to kill Mathias, but his gun jams (possibly a shell separation in the chamber or dud ammunition, since the open bolt mechanism works fine).
There is one scene that an M1A1 Thompson Submachine Gun can be seen strapped to the back of Dutch's (Paul Koslo) motorcycle seat. Also an M1A1 is seen on Neville's Gun rack in his apartment.
Apparently the gun that the IR scope was taken from, there is an M3 Carbine sans scope (with the fore grip and electrical wiring attached) sitting on one of Neville's chairs in the apartment near the window. The M3 Carbine is also later seen in the gun rack.
The first time that Neville meets Lisa (Rosalind Cash) she is pointing a Nickel plated Colt 1903/08 Hammerless Pistol with Pearl grips at him. Unknown if it is the 32 or 380 caliber model. Note: In the very first scenes, Lisa's pistol is a silver painted rubber gun, probably the stunt weapon she handled during the night filming and the subsequent motorcycle chase.
Robert Neville (Charlton Heston) carries a M1911A1 in a brown holster throughout the film. He never draws nor fires it, but several M1911A1s are visible on a gun rack in Neville's Apartment.
Dutch (Paul Koslo) carries a nickel plated Single Action Army Revolver with ivory grips. This is most noticeable during the night time rescue of Neville at Dodger Stadium and later when Dutch rides up in his Motorcycle at the sanctuary.
Completely incidental and briefly seen, a dead Los Angeles Police officer lies near his Ithaca Model 37 pump shotgun, a victim of the plague It is hard to see since the shot is a fast zoom to the dead man's face. Trivia: The actor playing the dead L.A. cop can be seen breathing when the camera lingers on him.
Never fired nor carried in the film, there is a Luger P08 Pistol on a gun rack in Neville's Apartment.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingP08 Luger Pistol - 9mmError creating thumbnail: File missingNeville (Charlton Heston) rushes to get armed. Seen from left to right: MP-40, S&W M76, another M76, Danish Madsen M50, M1A1. Next Compartment has another Danish Madsen M50 and three pistols from top to bottom: M1911, Luger P08, and another M1911.Error creating thumbnail: File missingSeen from left to right: Browning BAR, some type of 03 rifle with a commercial scope (hard to tell), the M3 Carbine previously seen on Neville's green chair, MP-40 and two more M76 submachine guns.
M1 Carbine
A post war M1 Carbine is visible on one of Neville's Gun racks.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM1917 Enfield .30-06Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe Family ready to smash Neville's gun racks. Left to right: An old M1 Rocket Launcher (2.36"), two more 1903 variants, M1 Garand, M1917 Enfield, High Standard shotgun (unknown model), MP-40 and a standard M1 Carbine (post war). The stark lighting makes it hard to see, but the weapons are easier to identify when the rack comes crashing down (when analyzing frame by frame).
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe Family ready to smash Neville's gun racks. Left to right: An old M1 Rocket Launcher (2.36"), two more 1903 variants, M1 Garand, M1917 Enfield, High Standard shotgun (unknown model), MP-40 and a standard M1 Carbine (post war). The stark lighting makes it hard to see, but the weapons are easier to identify when the rack comes crashing down (when analyzing frame by frame).
M1903
Several rifles which appear to be M1903 variants are on the rack but never fired or handled. One of them is briefly seen with a scope. Hard to see if it is an 03-A3 or an O3A4, but the scope is a commercial one.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingSpringfield M1903 Mk 1 - .30-06Error creating thumbnail: File missingMembers of "the Family" prepare to smash Neville's guns. Again, the dark lighting makes it difficult to clearly see the weapons. Only by playing the scenes of the racks smashing to the ground over and over again can one make educated guesses about the firearms.
Trivia Special
Early Flashlight mounts
As in other films before the advent of integral flashlight mounts for submachine guns and other firearms, shooters had to make do. The DIY crude metal clamps that Robert Neville (Charlton Heston) uses to affix a large and bulky flashlight to his M76 Submachine gun was the precursor to the Surefire (and others) tactical lighting systems we enjoy today.
