S.D. STUDIOS BOND REPLICAS
SpectreIsland
spectreislandPosts: 274MI6 Agent
Does anyone know if S.D.Studios produced any other Bond replicas outside of the ones we all know (ie. golden gun, wrist dart gun, rebreather, cigarette rocket, golf ball, shark co2 bullet, etc.,)? I'm interested in knowing if they produced the Beretta .25 from Dr. No and the Piton/Laser gun from Goldeneye. Were there any promotional pics released of any of these items before they went out of business?
Comments
Here's a breakdown based on my files:
Known Produced and Distributed:
FWRL Attache Case (deluxe and standard)
FWRL Attache Case Throwing Knife
Odd Job Bowler (inaccurate but fun)
GF Golf Ball
TB Rebreather
TB Tracer Pill
YOLT "Baby" Rocket & Cigarette
OHMSS Radioactive Pocket Lint (!)
Golden Gun (2 editions)
Golden Gun Bullet
MR Wrist Gun
GE Limpet Mine (only 50 made)
GE Grenade Pen
Terrycloth Wrap (as worn in FRWL and TB, included with attache)
SPECTRE Ring
Walnut/Glass display case
Some of the above were individual pieces (like the knives and bullets) made in response to demand from collectors who didn't have the budget for an entire Golden Gun or Attache Case.
Production/Distribution Uncertain:
Walther PPK w/Silencer (gas-powered)
Red Grant Mauser (metal, moving parts, but non-firing)
Mounted Golden Gun
Mounted Wrist Gun
Vulcan Bomber Model
1/18 DB5 Model
Doubtful Production:
Beretta w/Silencer (resin casting)
Walther P99 (BB guns; TND and TWINE versions)
Golden Gun/Walther Duel Set
Except for the limpet mine, "Desktop Collection," and ring, the first group was shown in color in various brochures, etc. as were the bowler, Mauser, Beretta, and Walther. (I seem to recall the mine being offered to me by phone; at any rate, it does not appear in any literature.) Save for the ring (which shows-up once in a bad drawing), the rest only appeared in B&W photocopies or as mentions in newsletters, etc.
I don't think they're documented anywhere, but I know from speaking with the president that other GE items like the piton gun and the "floppy disk" and keys were planned; the SDS team visited Pinewood, took photos and measurements, etc.
They also showed an MI6 wristwatch (regular analog watch with a logo face) and produced lots of non-spy memorabilia from films like Judge Dredd (which SDS saw as a major license coup ... too bad the film tanked!), Batman (1989), and more.
I think the only shark pellets that have ever been on the market were made by fans/machinists; they don't appear in any SDS paperwork I have.
Dymszo's (the "D" in "SDS) former partner posts regularly on the Relica Prop Forum under "ed-209;" he's probably the most knowledgable person around and still active in the prop arena if you still have questions.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
My brother beat me to the punch. Many, many thanks to everyone who responded. Thanks Alan for the awesome catalog of items. I had no idea such a lengthy list existed. Happy holidays!!!! {[]
You bought an unlicensed item from the licensing department of the licensor ... you'll have to explain that one sometime!;)
Having spoken with Steve many times when SDS was still operating and now having been in communication with Ed, while I'm not entirely sure what the truth is, I don't think EON had anything to do with the company's demise. Though the stories I've been given are contradictory, EON--in fact, licensing in general--was never mentioned.
I would agree, but I don't think it's going to happen. For one, we're now living in what you apprently perceive as a larger market but the Golden Guns avilable today are more expensive than those first sold by SDS and the cases are expected to cost about the same (though I'm told will be better quality). Two, the reason for that, I think, is that the market really isn't that differet; yes, thanks to the Internet awareness is greater, but so is the product offering. That is, if the SDS GG were the only replica on the market today, I'm certain they'd have no trouble selling-out. Now, though, they'd be competing with Star Wars and Blade Runner and a dozen other replicas and thier respective rabid fans. So the net result in the Bond world would still be about the same in my estimation.
Let's take SideShow as an example: Many of their limited edition figures have yet to sell-out and while the Connery premium edition figure might not be available from Sideshow any longer, it's only because half appear to have been purchased for resale on eBay! And these are a commodity with a much lower price point and roughly the same demographic.
I agree with that to a point: With a licensed item you generally have some recourse if a supplier does'nt come through or the piece is damaged. And while I've never tracked the auction results--I'm thinking something on the level of Christie's, not eBay--the resale on licensed items would appear to be stronger than unlicensed as catalog descriptions for unlicensed pieces invariably treat that apsect as a negative.
Conversely, while I think licensing offers some protections, it also adds cost. Volume production--the sort of thing ncecessary to keep prices low--isn't possible sub rosa and that means advertising and you don't dare advertise a 007 product without a license. And what with EON having become much more savvy about the Bond "brand," that license doesn't come cheap.
If the SD Studios Golden Gun was issued now it and at something near the original price it would sell all of its 7500 edition within 6 months.
We are long term collectors and have known each other for years but a lot of people dip in and out of Bond depending on the hype. I was offered £4000 to find a Golden Gun last week. I asked the buyer why so desperate, he had a meeting coming up and the guy he was meeting loved Bond. He wanted it on the wall as an ice breaker!! Go figure the way people think.
Licenced or unlicenced - I guess this depends on what type of collector you are. I just want as much as possible - the disease is uncontrollable. Many people only buy everything that is new, some people buy just to see how much it will be worth in 3 months! For me its ownership vs price. If the same item (exactly the same) is offered licenced or unlicenced at half the price then buy the unlicenced one, I have to question why I want something and in the end its the piece thats important not whether it will go up in value.
Funny old world collecting and its great that we are not all the same.
If you want your Christmas pressy paypal me $10 with your address to nick@tinparadise.com
cheers!!
ps I think EON had been sent the hat by SD, I know they did not like it! the hat is really poor, its a low quality costume hat which is just not up to scratch. I have heard of one that was sold by a German dealer for $2500 !! OUCH
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
this site, so i added my pictures at youprops.com
in order to post a link, the easy way at least for me, i will be adding more items in the near future, hope you enjoy.
http://www.yourprops.com/view_items.php?user_name=037+scaramanga
Leo
would love to see them in person ...
and I will make you a solex once I find the correct parts again. wont be for some time ...
www.freewebs.com/scaramangasgoldengun
www.facebook.com/QuartermasterProps
i can't display them i just don't have the room, i have them in a display case but with no room to actually display it inside, it's basically a storage place for the props, i wish i had a basement like you, that would be sweet.
i will be adding more props in the near future.
leo
http://www.yourprops.com/view_items.php?user_name=037+scaramanga
Thanks Shatterhand,
i wanted to post the props long ago but never got around to, thanks for the S.D Studios literature they are nice and in great condition, especially the color ad. thanks again
Leo
Hello Alan,
just curious, why you are referring to the Dueling Set and the Beretta to be "doubtful"?
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
you can view it on (yourprops)
I would love it if Steve wrote a book detailing ever Bond item in great detail that was produced by SD Studios .. all theinfo photos of research material etc .. stories memories and anicdotes ,. etc I would buy a book about SD studios the short lived props producer..
it would be a great book. similar in quaility . to the book the art of Bond .. in terms of info photographs layout etc,,
is there anyway something like this could be released... it would be a nice way of reliving the props so to speak... and egtting to see some rare stuff..
Could Ed M..... not write a book similar to this also,...
www.freewebs.com/scaramangasgoldengun
www.facebook.com/QuartermasterProps
www.freewebs.com/scaramangasgoldengun
www.facebook.com/QuartermasterProps
I believe so.
If i tell ya i gotta kill ya.
just kidding Buddy, i searched high and low and it wasn't easy, but it took me five years to get this collection, not bad for someone who started late in the game.
i also have other props that are not so rare so i don't waste people's time by adding them to the site. here's something you will like, i made this.
http://www.youtube.com/v/_VJE9FXMg_U
037
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
When I was 11 years old, I tried to make my own "Q" branch attache case, using an old briefcase of my Dad's. I didn't have any sovereigns, and no tear gas or ammo. I did have a .22 rifle, but even with the stock removed, it wouldn't fit into the case.
Finally, I did manage to force a hole in one side of the case near the front and jammed a short "paring" knife from my Mom's kitchen. leaving just enough of the wooden handle sticking out to grab. It came out real slick after I wiggled it back and forth awhile. 8-)
My real suggestion is that someone make a nice display of the Moonraker missle from the novel. Fleming provides a very clear discription. It's very much like a V2 - very retro 1950's and totally cool!
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!