In the past few days, I have conducted additional research regarding the original “golden gun(s)” from the 1974 James Bond film The Man With The Golden Gun. This topic was raised by worldwide news reports covering a/the “golden gun” reported stolen from Elstree Props, a tenant within Elstree Studios. I have assembled additional information, research, reports, and further clarification. A second “original” golden gun in a private collection has also received some press in the mainstream media.
Special thanks to the members of The Movie Prop Forum and the Absolutely James Bond for sharing much of the information and insights to follow.
Previous Original Prop Blog articles:
- Questions About James Bond “Golden Gun” Reported Stolen from Elstree Props, Elstree Studios
- James Bond “Golden Gun” Reported Stolen from Elstree Studios
“Golden Gun” Props & Public Exhibitions: Update
In the last article, as a point of reference, I reported on a “golden gun” which was on display at the Science Museum exhibit in the UK in 2002-2003. This prop was reported by some as being an original “golden gun”, which I incorrectly assumed as well, but several parties have reported it was not an original from the film on display but one of hundreds of licensed replicas produced years ago by Steve Dymzo (aka SDS and SD Studios). Stephen Lane of The Prop Store of London knows the person who loaned the “1st Generation” SDS replica to the museum.
Also in the last article, I published a photo of the “golden gun” currently on display at the Imperial War Museum exhibit, also in the UK. Per Stephen Lane, this is also an SDS replica (a “prototype” of the replica), not an original.
In talking among the better informed on these discussion forums, there is a general consensus among many that EON likely has an original “golden gun”.
News Report of Another Original “Golden Gun” In Private Hands
Below is an article published by the News & Star in the UK – ‘I own the real James Bond Golden Gun’ says Keswick collector – (copied in its entirety below for archival purposes):
‘I own the real James Bond Golden Gun’ says Keswick collector
By Ross Brewster
Last updated 12:46, Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Keswick James Bond collector Peter Nelson is the man with the “real” Golden Gun.
The golden gun stolen from film studios last Friday, said to be worth £80,000, was actually a spare which was made for the 1974 James Bond movie, The Man With The Golden Gun.
But Mr Nelson, who plans to open a James Bond museum in Keswick next year, owns the original golden gun.
He said: “It was dropped by either Roger Moore or Christopher Lee and damaged. Neither actor would admit he was the one responsible, but after that they decided to have a couple of spare guns made.”
Mr Nelson said he was sure of the provenance of the gun he owns, and which is now safely locked away until it can go on display in his museum.
He said: “I know it cost director Cubby Broccoli ten grand at the time. If the stolen gun is worth £80,000 then I’ve no idea what mine is worth.
“The original is safe. It was rather fragile and was slightly damaged so they held up filming to make another one. I know Cubby got a bill for £10,000 and was not too pleased because it wasn’t up to the mark.”
Mr Nelson said the history of the golden guns was well documented. “It will be a bit of a star when it goes into my museum,” he said. “Lots of people have been asking if the stolen gun was the one I have.
“I got mine through Christie’s auction. At the time no-one knew what it was. In fact they thought it was something which might have been made by a fan. I made inquiries and an expert told me it was the one.”
Mr Nelson is gathering Bond memorabilia from all over the world for his multi-million pound museum, which will be based in the former Caterite building at Southey Hill.
He said: “I am hoping that planning permission will be sorted by the end of the month. After that it will be a big push to get it open in time for Easter and I will be advertising for fans of James Bond to volunteer to come down and help get the exhibition sets ready.”
“I am pulling out all the stops and have got cars coming from America and all sorts of things. I think people will staggered when they see what I have got. I have found some incredible things.
“I’ve now got the golden gun locked away in a vault. Cubby used to keep it in a drawer at his home and in fact I have handled it in his office.”
The stolen gun was taken from Elstree Props in Hertfordshire on Friday. In the film Bond received a golden bullet with 007 on it and decides to track down Scaramanga, the assassin known as The Man With The Golden Gun.
It appears that the “golden gun” discussed in the News & Star article, as owned by collector Peter Nelson, is the prop as seen in the Christie’s auction archive (LINK):
Lot 275 / Sale 9287
The Man With The Golden Gun, 1974
Price Realized
* £3,525
* ($5,080)Estimate
* £3,000 – £5,000 ($4,323 – $7,205)Sale Information
Sale 9287
film and entertainment
12 December 2001
London, South Kensington
Lot Description
The Man With The Golden Gun, 1974
A replica gun with self-assembling parts comprising a Colibri lighter, a Waterman fountain pen, a dummy cigarette case engraved with the initial S to form the butt and a ‘cufflink’, similarly engraved, to form the trigger — 9¾in. (24.7cm.) long when assembled; and a dummy bullet engraved 007 — 1½in. (3.8cm.) long, in presentation case — modelled on Scaramanga’s golden gun from the 1974 United Artists/Eon film The Man With The Golden Gun (3)It is not certain for what purpose this replica was made, but it was possibly made for promotional purposes by one of the companies associated with the gun, i.e. Colibri, and is not a piece made by the prop department at Eon.
Obviously, Christie’s itself marketed the piece as a “replica”, “possibly made for promotional purposes”, and “not a piece made by the prop department at Eon”.
There are varying opinions as to the status (regarding provenance and authenticity) and/or use of this “golden gun” sold by Christie’s among collectors and enthusiasts.
As an example, part of the pistol made from the Colibri lighter on the Christie’s piece is two parts, stacked, whereas the one seen used in the film is one lighter, one part (Christie’s Top; SDS Replica Bottom):
Some have put forth the theory that it is an original prototype, but not filmed. Others question if it is “original” entirely. No compelling argument is made in the news story (excerpt):
“I got mine through Christie’s auction. At the time no-one knew what it was. In fact they thought it was something which might have been made by a fan. I made inquiries and an expert told me it was the one.”
If I learn more of this piece, I will post a future update.
The Elstree Props “Stolen” Golden Gun
I have found no additional articles/updates as to the “golden gun” reported stolen from Elstree Props, and will post additional updates should more developments or information come to light.
Jason De Bord