What gun does James Bond carry?
James Bond, the iconic fictional spy created by author Ian Fleming, is known for his suave style, witty one-liners, and impressive gunslinging skills. Bond’s weapon of choice is a crucial aspect of the character’s image, often symbolizing his sophistication and effectiveness as a secret agent. In this article, we’ll explore the many guns that James Bond has carried throughout the years of film and literary history.
Contents
From Fleming’s Fictions to the Big Screen
The original James Bond novels written by Ian Fleming introduced his fictional spy’s arsenal gradually. In Casino Royale (1953), Bond first uses an Walther P38 pistol, which become a staple of his handguns collection. From Russia with Love (1957) marks the arrival of the Walther PPK (Compact Pistol), Bond’s preference for many years. By the time of Goldfinger (1959), the PPK took center stage as Bond’s trusted sidearm.
Table 1: James Bond’s Guns in the original novels
| Novel Title | Gun of Choice | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| Casino Royale | Walther P38 | Walther |
| From Russia with Love | Walther PPK | Walther |
Film-Inspired Guns: Modern Adaptations
The Walther PPK remained iconic as Bond’s gun due to its prominence in the franchise. In Dr. No (1962), the first Bond film, Sean Connery-as-Bond is seen dual-wielding the Colt.25. Although not officially Bond-authorized, the Heckler & Koch USC appeared in Bond’s holster in various films. Other notable screen appearances include the Nambu M60S6 in Quantum of Solace, Beretta 7005 in Léon: The Professional, and the SW17 in Dunkirk.
Bold Text: Some notable and unique guns have appeared, albeit briefly, in non-canonical films.
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| Hollywood Movie | Bond’s Screen-Used Guns |
|---|---|
| Dr. No (1962) | · Colt 0.25 |
| Quantum of Solace (2008) | · Nambu M60S6 |
| · Beretta 7005 (Brief cameo) |
Guns Galore? License to Print Money – the Impact of Bond Movies
To an extent, the Bond movie franchise has led to changes in gun production and culture. The demand for novelty Walther PPK and other Bond-cliché firearms has spurred limited-edition releases to commemorate the film series (Figure 1). Unfortunately, this created a rise in black-market sales with questionable origins and quality guns flooding the market.
Figure 1. Licensed Walther PPK guns for use with James Bond films by gun manufacturers have become prized among collectors.
