I recently acquired a very rare James Bond Walther PPK for my own collection, so I have done some research as to what handguns have been offered to the marketplace attributed to use in the films as the side arm of James Bond. I thought it might be of interest to readers to know “what is out there”. The focus of this article is primarily hero and “real” firearms (no stunts).
The famous, iconic, and signature weapon for 007 in the movies has been the Walther PPK. Given limitations in supplying such weapons to production, in some cases the Walther PP and Walther P5 have served as “look alike” stand ins. Also, following Pierce Brosnan’s “Goldeneye“, the PPK was replaced with the more modern Walther P99. However, with the upcoming film staring Daniel Craig, “Quantum of Solace“, it appears that the Walther PPK is returning as the weapon of choice for James Bond.
As most Bond films were produced in the UK, armourer Bapty’s supplied most of the hero weapons for the films. In December 2006, Christie’s, in conjunction with The Prop Store of London, Bapty’s offered the last of what they could attribute to use in the films. Given UK law, those pieces sold were deactivated to UK standards, regardless of the country of the buyer and those laws.
The piece I have acquired is from the U.S. armourer, Stembridge Gun Rentals. Licence to Kill is one of the only Bond films with photography within the United States (as well as Mexico), so this piece is actually a “live fire”, fully functional weapon with an alternate blank fire barrel allowing capability to be converted to blank fire.
What follows is a compilation of the weapons I have found in my research of what Bond guns have been identified and offered for sale to the public and/or cataloged. Note three pieces in the Christie’s South Kensington event in December 2006 were pulled prior to the auction.
Note: “PAK” are commercially available blank firing guns used in the UK.
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Unattributed Sean Connery Walther PPK
These are photos from Long Mountain Outfitters, LLC of a Walther PPK at Bapty’s attributed to use by Sean Connery but no specific films.
Walther PPK handgun (Functionality Unknown)
Serial Number: 892706
Star: Sean Connery
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: N/A
Date: N/A
Price Realized: N/A
For more see Long Mountain Outfitters: LINK
High Resolution Archive: LMO Sean Connery Walther PPK
High Resolution Archive: LMO Sean Connery Walther PPK
Long Mountain Outfitters Description:
This early Walther PPK was the main gun used in all of the James Bond movies that starred Sean Connery. It has a fake silencer (suppressor) threaded into the barrel, and is blanked. Serial #892706
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Dr. No (1962)
High Resolution Archive: Dr. No – One Sheet
Walther PP handgun (UK Deactivation)
Serial Number: 19174A
Star: Sean Connery
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington “Film and Entertainment”, Lot 170 / Sale 4912
Date: December 5, 2006
Price Realized: $106,704
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Lot 170 / Sale 4912
High Resolution Archive: Dr. No Walther PP
High Resolution Archive: Dr. No Walther PP
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 170: A Walther PP handgun, serial number 19174A used by Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr.Nothis gun, used by Bond throughout the film, is first seen in the early memorable scene when Bond is summoned from the casino by M for his mission briefing [the gun’s original brown grips replaced at a later date]; accompanied by a Certificate of De-Activation; a letter from BAPTY confirming the provenance; a COA from Prop Store of London; and a black and white reproduction of a corresponding publicity photograph (5)
Provenance
The BAPTY Archive.
Literature
CORK, John & SCHIVALLY, Bruce James Bond The Legacy, London: Boxtree, 2002, p.26 (illus.)
Lot Notes
The early scene in which M [Bernard Lee] orders the reluctant Bond to part with his Berretta, defines the relationship between the agent and his superior, M tells Bond…If you carry a double-O number, it means you’re licensed to kill, not get killed…You’ll carry the Walther, the gun is then presented to him by Major Boothroyd [Peter Burton] who tells Bond about the gun’s credentials …the Walther PPK 7.65mm with a delivery like a brick through a plate glass window. The American CIA swear by them. This part of the script reveals an error made during production as the gun supplied was in fact the Walther PP and not the PPK.
The Walther handgun has become synonymous with the character of James Bond, and is his trademark; it is without doubt one of the most recognisable and iconic film props in cinematic history. BAPTY have confirmed that this Walther PP handgun was the only one supplied for Dr. No.
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From Russia With Love (1963)
High Resolution Archive: From Russia With Love – One Sheet
Walther PPK handgun (UK Deactivation)
Serial Number: 104718A
Star: Sean Connery
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington “Film and Entertainment”, Lot 179 / Sale 4912
Date: December 5, 2006
Price Realized: Pulled From Auction (Est. $29,000-47,000)
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Catalog Only (not available online at Christies.com)
High Resolution Archive: From Russia With Love Walther PPK
High Resolution Archive: From Russia With Love – Walther PPK
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 179: A Walther PPK handgun, serial number 104718A used by Sean Connery as James Bond in From Russia With Love; this gun is used throughout the film and also featured extensively in promotional shots; accompanied by a Certificate of De-Activation; a letter from BAPTY confirming the provenance; a COA from Prop Store of London; and a Colour reproduction of a corresponding still.
Provenance
The BAPTY Archive.
Literature
CORK, John & SCHIVALLY, Bruce James Bond The Legacy, London: Boxtree, 2002, p.26 (illus.)
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From Russia With Love (1963)
High Resolution Archive: From Russia With Love – One Sheet
Walther Cal. 4-5 LP Model 53 (Air Pistol Non Gun, Promo-Only)
Serial Number: 054159
Star: Sean Connery
Armourer: NONE
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington, Lot 250 / Sale 9017
Date: February 14, 2001
Price Realized: $20,487
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Lot 250 / Sale 9017
High Resolution Archive: From Russia With Love – Walther Cal. 4-5 LP Model 53
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 250: David Hurn recalls that when he was commissioned to shoot the Bond portraits required for the publicity campaign for the second Bond film …it was decided that the main image in the poster and advertising campaign.. should be ..a strong portrait of Sean Connery as Bond 007, with his Walther pistol… According to the photographer, when Connery arrived at his studio for the shoot, it was discovered by publicist Tom Carlile that no one had brought the gun needed for the shoot, a small Walther automatic [Walther PPK]. By chance the photographer practised air pistol target shooting as a hobby and had the air pistol he used for this purpose, also a Walther, to hand …It was decided…that without telling Sean or the other representatives of United Artists – we would use my pistol for the pictures and presumed that should anyone have doubts on their seeing the name Walther on the gun, they would be reassured. This was, in fact, the case. In theory…the long barrel of the air-pistol..was to be removed by airbrushing during the designing of the actual poster – in practise ..this was never done…Lot # 250: A Walther air pistol held by Sean Connery as James Bond, in the photo-shoot used for the main image in the poster and advertising campaign for the 1963 United Artists/Eon film From Russia With Love; the air pistol, a Walther Cal. 4-5 LP Model 53, no. 054159, in presentation case with sight elements; accompanied by a letter concerning the provenance from the vendor, Magnum photographer, David Hurn, stating that the image he shot of Connery holding this Walther air pistol was …used in some way or other to promote every Bond film till “You Only Live Twice”..; and a corresponding black and white photograph, (printed later) — 10x8in. (25.4×20.3cm.) (2)
Note: While this piece is not an actual live or blank fire piece, nor seen in the film, it is an important artifact from the production, as it had a huge influence on the one sheets, posters, and publicity material in the early Bond films.
Update 11/25/10 – This piece was resold by Christie’s in their “Pop Culture: Film and Entertainment” auction (Sale 5570) – see “Christie’s “Pop Culture” Auction Held Today: James Bond Pistol Exceeds Expectations, Darth Vader Costume Goes Unsold“
Serial Number: 054159
Star: Sean Connery
Armourer: NONE
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington, Lot 102 / Sale 5570
Date: November 25, 2010
Price Realized: $438,609
Christie’s Auction Description
From Russia With Love, 1963
A Walther air pistol held by Sean Connery as James Bond in the photo-shoot used for the main image in the poster and advertising campaign for the 1963 United Artists/Eon film From Russia With Love; the air pistol, a .177 (4.5mm) Walther ‘LP MOD.53’ Air Pistol, Serial No. 054159, with 24cm barrel, blackened finish throughout, in original close-fitted Walther case with sight elements; accompanied by a letter concerning the provenance from the original vendor stating that the image he shot of Connery holding this Walther air pistol was …used in some way or other to promote every Bond film till “You Only Live Twice”..; and a corresponding reproduction still of Connery holding this gun — 10x8in. (25.4×20.3cm.) (5)
Provenance
Ex-lot 250, Jame Bond, Christie’s South Kensington, London, Feb 14, 2001
Lot Notes
The original vendor, who was commissioned to shoot the images required for the publicity campaign for the second Bond film From Russia With Love, explains in his accompanying letter that …it was decided that for the main image in the poster and advertising campaign what was required was a strong portrait of Sean Connery as Bond 007, with his Walther pistol… He explains further that when Connery arrived at his studio for the shoot, it was discovered by publicist Tom Carlile that no one had brought the gun needed for the shoot, the synonymous small Walther automatic [Walther PPK]. By chance the photographer practised air pistol target shooting as a hobby and had the gun he used for this purpose, also a Walther, at the studio — …It was decided…that – without telling Sean or the other representatives of United Artists – we would use my pistol for the pictures and presumed that should anyone have doubts on their seeing the name Walther on the gun, they would be reassured. This was, in fact, the case. In theory…the long barrel of the air-pistol… should have been removed by airbrushing during the designing of the actual poster – in practice… this was never done…
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For Your Eyes Only (1981)
High Resolution Archive: For Your Eyes Only – One Sheet
Walther PPK handgun (UK Deactivation)
Serial Number: 314818
Star: Roger Moore
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington “Film and Entertainment”, Lot 214 / Sale 4912
Date: December 5, 2006
Price Realized: Pulled From Auction (Est. $16,000-23,000)
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Catalog Only (not available online at Christies.com)
High Resolution Archive: For Your Eyes Only – Walther PPK
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 214: A Walther PPK handgun, serial number 314818 used by Roger Moore as James Bond in For Your Eyes Only; this gun is used in various scenes throughout the film; accompanied by a Certificate of De-Activation; a letter from BAPTY confirming the provenance; a COA from Prop Store of London; and a Colour reproduction of a corresponding still.
Provenance
The BAPTY Archive.
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Octopussy (1983)
High Resolution Archive: Octopussy – One Sheet
Walther P5 handgun (UK Deactivation)
Serial Number: 024156
Star: Roger Moore
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington “Film and Entertainment”, Lot 220 / Sale 4912
Date: December 5, 2006
Price Realized: $14,227
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Lot 220 / Sale 4912
High Resolution Archive: Octopussy – Walther P5
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 220: A Walther P5 handgun, serial number 024156 used by Roger Moore as James Bond in Octopussy this gun is used in various scenes throughout the film; accompanied by a Certificate of De-Activation, a letter from BAPTY confirming the provenance; a COA from Prop Store of London; and a black and white reproduction of a corresponding publicity photograph (4)
Provenance
The BAPTY Archive.
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Never Say Never Again (1983)
High Resolution Archive: Never Say Never Again – One Sheet
Walther P5 handgun (UK Deactivation)
Serial Number: 001482
Star: Sean Connery
Armourer: “French armourers”
Venue: www.PropStore.com
Date: December 2006
Price Realized: Approximately $20,000
Link: The Prop Store of London
High Resolution Archive: Never Say Never Again – Walther P5
High Resolution Archive: Never Say Never Again – Walther P5
The Prop Store of London Listing Description:
The hero pistol used by Sean Connery in his legendary role as James Bond in Never Say Never Again. This weapon, a deactivated Walther P5, was used during filming in the South of France and comes with a letter from the French armourers confirming the history, The serial number 001482 appears on the side of the gun along with the words ‘Carl Walther Waffenfabrik Ulm/Do’ and deactivation stamps. The gun can be matched exactly to the gun held by Sean Connery in the still by the small nick in the trigger guard. This amazing weapon from Sean Connery’s last ever ‘Bond’ film comes custom framed on a laser cut mount board with a black and white film still showing Bond holding this very gun. The display measures approx 66cm x 71cm (26″ x28 “) This historic artefact used by the definitive screen 007 is arguably the ultimate collectable for any Bond fan.
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Never Say Never Again (1983)
High Resolution Archive: Never Say Never Again – One Sheet
Walther PPK handgun (Functionality Unknown)
Serial Number: 051358
Star: Sean Connery
Armourer: Unknown
Venue: Profiles in History: A Collector’s Ransom II
Date: June 1 & 2, 1996
Price Realized: Unknown
Link: Full Scan of Catalog Page
High Resolution Archive: Never Say Never Again – Walther PPK
Profiles in History Description:
James Bond’s (Sean Connery) black steel Walther PPK pistol, engraved on left side of barrel, “WALTHER MADE IN USA UNDER LICENSE OF CARL WALTHER WAFFENFABRIK Ulm/Do. MODELL PPK/S cal. 9mm kurz/380ACP”; right side of barrel engraved with serial number “051358 INTERARMS ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA”. The pistol grip has two black plastic textured panels, embossed “WALTHER”. Body of gun (below barrel) engraved “051358”. Includes steel clip with black plastic base stamped “WALTHER Cal. 9mm kurz Cal. 380ACP”. With this gun, Sean Connery made his return to the world of Bond after 12 years in this remake of “Thunderball.” Includes a photograph of Bond and a letter of authenticity from Barbara Carrera who starred as “Fatima Blush.” This pistol was given to Carrera from Connery upon completion of film. $10,000-$15,000
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Licence To Kill (1989)
High Resolution Archive: Licence To Kill – One Sheet
Walther PPK handgun (Live Fire & Blank Fire Capable)
Serial Number: 348075K
Star: Timothy Dalton
Armourer: Stembridge Gun Rentals, Inc.
Venue: Private Sale
Date: April 2008
Price Realized: Private Sale
High Resolution Archive: Licence To Kill – Walther PPK
High Resolution Archive: Licence To Kill – Walther PPK
Description:
A Walther PPK handgun, serial number 348075K, used by Timothy Dalton as James Bond in Licence to Kill. Included both live fire and blank fire barrels from Stembridge. One of the few Bond films with principal photography in the United States, so one of the few non-Bapty Bond side arms. This is the only PPK on the Stembridge rental agreements for the film. Provenance includes original copy Stembridge rental agreements to the production and letter from Anthony Waye, Production Supervisor to Syd Stembridge along with original postmarked envelope from the Mexico-based production.
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GoldenEye (1995)
High Resolution Archive: GoldenEye – One Sheet
Walther PPK handgun (UK Deactivation)
Serial Number: 811590
Star: Pierce Brosnan
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington “Film and Entertainment”, Lot 236 / Sale 4912
Date: December 5, 2006
Price Realized: $52,166
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Lot 236 / Sale 4912
High Resolution Archive: GoldenEye – Walther PPK
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 236: A Walther PPK handgun, serial number 811590 and corresponding silencer used by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in various scenes throughout the film; accompanied by a Certificate of De-Activation; a letter from BAPTY confirming the provenance; a COA from Prop Store of London; and a colour reproduction of a corresponding still (6)
Provenance
The BAPTY Archive.
Literature
PFEIFFER, Lee & WORRALL, Dave The Essential Bond, London: Boxtree, 1998, p.185 (illus.) WOODHEAD, Colin Dressed To Kill, James Bond The Suited Hero, Paris-New York: Flammarion, 1996, p.185 (illus.)
Lot Notes
In the dramatic pre-title sequence James Bond uses the PPK with the silencer attached; during the rest of the film he uses the gun without the silencer, notably when he visits Valentin Zukovsky’s club in search of information about the Janus organisation. He pulls the gun on Zukovsky from behind, eliciting the comment….”Walther PPK 7.65mm, only three men I know use such a gun, I believe I’ve killed two of them”.
See also lot 234.
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Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
High Resolution Archive: Tomorrow Never Dies – One Sheet
Walther P99 handgun (PAK, UK Deactivated)
Serial Number: B6515945
Star: Pierce Brosnan
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington “Film and Entertainment”, Lot 249 / Sale 4912
Date: December 5, 2006
Price Realized: $52,166
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Lot 249 / Sale 4912
High Resolution Archive: Tomorrow Never Dies – Walther P99
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 249: A Walther P99 PAK handgun, serial number B6515945 and corresponding silencer with hardshell carrying case, labelled Blank Firing P99 — used by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond; accompanied by a Certificate of De-Activation; a letter from BAPTY confirming the provenance; a COA from Prop Store of London; and a colour reproduction of a corresponding still (7)
Provenance
The BAPTY Archive.
Lot Notes
Bond uses the P99 with a silencer in the final scenes on board the stealth boat after he has detonated the grenade and as Carver is desperately trying to launch his missile at Beijing.
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Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
High Resolution Archive: Tomorrow Never Dies – One Sheet
Walther P99 handgun (UK Deactivated)
Serial Number: V1667
Star: Pierce Brosnan
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington “Film and Entertainment”, Lot 248 / Sale 4912
Date: December 5, 2006
Price Realized: $11,856
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Lot 248 / Sale 4912
High Resolution Archive: Tomorrow Never Dies – Walther P99
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 248: A Walther P99 handgun, serial number V1667 used by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in the stealth boat sequences; accompanied by a Certificate of De-Activation; a letter from BAPTY confirming the provenance; a COA from Prop Store of London; and a colour reproduction of a corresponding still (5)
Lot Notes
Tomorrow Never Dies saw the move away from James Bond’s traditional Walther PPK and the introduction of the P99. We first see the P99 when Wai Lin takes Bond to her hide-out in the back streets of Saigon; at the flick of a swtich the room is transformed into a high-tech office and weapons store. Bond picks up a P99 from a cache of handguns and examines it…”Ah, the new Walther, I asked Q to get me one of these”. Up until this point, Bond had been using the PPK.
Provenance
The BAPTY Archive.
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The World Is Not Enough (1999)
High Resolution Archive: The World Is Not Enough – One Sheet
Walther P99 handgun (UK Deactivated)
Serial Number: 037406
Star: Pierce Brosnan
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington “Film and Entertainment”, Lot 263 / Sale 4912
Date: December 5, 2006
Price Realized: $11,856
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Lot 263 / Sale 4912
High Resolution Archive: The World Is Not Enough – Walther P99
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 263: A Walther P99 handgun, serial number 037406 used by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in various scenes throughout the film; accompanied by a Certificate of De-Activation; a letter from BAPTY confirming the provenance; and a COA from Prop Store of London; and a colour reproduction of a corresponding still (4)
Provenance The BAPTY Archive.
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The World Is Not Enough (1999)
High Resolution Archive: The World Is Not Enough – One Sheet
Walther P99 handgun (PAK, UK Deactivated)
Serial Number: B8041841
Star: Pierce Brosnan
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington “Film and Entertainment”, Lot 262 / Sale 4912
Date: December 5, 2006
Price Realized: Pulled From Auction (Est. $9,500-13,000)
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Catalog Only (not available online at Christies.com)
High Resolution Archive: The World Is Not Enough – Walther P99
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 262: A Walther P99 handgun, serial number B8041841 used by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in various scenes throughout the film; accompanied by a Certificate of De-Activation; a letter from BAPTY confirming the provenance; and a COA from Prop Store of London; and a colour reproduction of a corresponding still (4)
Provenance
The BAPTY Archive.
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Die Another Day (2002)
High Resolution Archive: Die Another Day – One Sheet
Walther P99 handgun (PAK, UK Deactivated)
Serial Number: B8041868
Star: Pierce Brosnan
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington “Film and Entertainment”, Lot 270 / Sale 4912
Date: December 5, 2006
Price Realized: $11,856
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Lot 270 / Sale 4912
High Resolution Archive: Die Another Die – Walther P99
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 270: A Walther P99 handgun, serial number B8041868 the PAK handgun used by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in various scenes throughout the film; accompanied by a Certificate of De-Activation; a letter from BAPTY confirming the provenance; a COA from Prop Store of London; and a colour reproduction of a corresponding publicity photograph (4)
Provenance
The BAPTY Archive.
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Die Another Day (2002)
High Resolution Archive: Die Another Day – One Sheet
Walther P99 handgun (UK Deactivated)
Serial Number: 037405
Star: Pierce Brosnan
Armourer: Bapty
Venue: Christie’s South Kensington “Film and Entertainment”, Lot 271A / Sale 4912
Date: December 5, 2006
Price Realized: $11,856
Christie’s Past Sales Archive: Lot 271A / Sale 4912
High Resolution Archive: Die Another Day – Walther P99
Christie’s Auction Description:
Lot 271A: A Walther P99 handgun, serial number 037405 in fitted hardshell carrying case — used by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in various scenes throughout the film; accompanied by a Certificate of De-Activation; a letter from BAPTY confirming the provenance; a COA from Prop Store of London; and a colour reproduction of a corresponding still (5)
Provenance
The BAPTY Archive.
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Jason De Bord