James Bond and Walther firearms
PPK 7.65mm
Saratoga Springs NY USAPosts: 1,253MI6 Agent
Hello all,
I was thinking recently about how over the years the James Bond series has featured many different gun's made by Walther. I think it is strange how the Walther P5 appeared in OP, yet unlike the introduction of the P99 in TND, very little news was made about it. At the time of filming OP, the P5 was still a new pistol, having been tested by the West German police and military and it's use by 007 on film was to help generate sales interest. I don't know if this helped the sales at all like it did for the PPK and P99, but I have no doubt that gun collectors mite find this piece of trivia interesting.
Also the MPL machine gun was seen in the hands of the Czech border guards in TLD, I am little surprised that Bond himself did not ever use one, given that most film fans and gun collectors a like think of him when the name Walther comes up. Thought in 1987 Walther was discontinuing manufacture of the MPL and it's little brother the MPK so I can understand why unlike the WA 2000 it was not featured so much in the film.
The P88 pistol introduced in 1988 is one gun that I am surprised, never appeared in any Bond films. Even it was not as popular as other automatic pistols of this era, it was still a sound design, and now it is a highly valued collector's piece. It strikes me as funny since up til TND just about every major Walther firearm had been seen in one of the films. I know that the P88 compact would have nicely filed the role of the P99 if Walther had been interest in great more interest in it sales wise.
What do you think ?
I was thinking recently about how over the years the James Bond series has featured many different gun's made by Walther. I think it is strange how the Walther P5 appeared in OP, yet unlike the introduction of the P99 in TND, very little news was made about it. At the time of filming OP, the P5 was still a new pistol, having been tested by the West German police and military and it's use by 007 on film was to help generate sales interest. I don't know if this helped the sales at all like it did for the PPK and P99, but I have no doubt that gun collectors mite find this piece of trivia interesting.
Also the MPL machine gun was seen in the hands of the Czech border guards in TLD, I am little surprised that Bond himself did not ever use one, given that most film fans and gun collectors a like think of him when the name Walther comes up. Thought in 1987 Walther was discontinuing manufacture of the MPL and it's little brother the MPK so I can understand why unlike the WA 2000 it was not featured so much in the film.
The P88 pistol introduced in 1988 is one gun that I am surprised, never appeared in any Bond films. Even it was not as popular as other automatic pistols of this era, it was still a sound design, and now it is a highly valued collector's piece. It strikes me as funny since up til TND just about every major Walther firearm had been seen in one of the films. I know that the P88 compact would have nicely filed the role of the P99 if Walther had been interest in great more interest in it sales wise.
What do you think ?
Comments
We have been told that DC choose to use a PPK in QOS, but other actors Connery, Moore and Brosnan all profess a grand distain for firearms - and likely could have cared less what they were handed by the prop man.
If a "Walther" theme runs through the various pictures, it's likely because the suppliers like Bapty made an effort to have on hand arms that seemed appropriate to the film, Bond is famous for the PPK - so any Walther product would be a "natural".
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
Though Walther shows up in the 007 movies, there is no money involved - I guess that it's the Fleming heritage, which is being kept.
On the other hand, Walther may not have the power or willingness to promote more recent products in the 007 movies, unless someone at EON chooses, that it's time for a change (like in Octopussy).
As for DC picking up the PPK, that may be correct, but the fact, that the PPK is the literaric hero may have been the main reason for doing so.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
The Walther PPK 7.65mm is a great weapon (I owned a late 70's original for a number of years and was issued with a few in Northern Ireland) and is fun to use in a relaxed sporting scenario, but hardly the serious choice for this day and age considering what else is on offer. It's presence in QOS is a nod to Bond films of old, and a nice touch for the viewer. I appreciated its presence in the film, especially after so much recent change.
I've used an MPL briefly and cannot think of a single reason why it would continue production with the H & K MP5 series and variants on sale. But, as with everything, it's all down to personal preference.
Bond carried Berettas, Smith & Wesson's and Colts in the books, as well as the Walther later on. If the films carry on in the same vein as Casino Royale and QOS, I suppose I wouldn't be sad to see Bond go with other options either. While the Glock range all look similar and appear in so many films, they have a calibre for every occasion and are near-perfect as a tool. And at the end of the day, Bond simply needs a tool for his trade and not something to show off with at the local club.
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In Octopussy, Moore's P5 is knocked out of his hand in a chase. When he gets to HQ he tells Q, "I seem to have misplaced my PPK". For me that was a clue that while the script required a PPK, someone on the prop side substituted the P5 and no one really noticed or cared about the change.
When Brosnan picked up the P99, that was odviously a thought out choice - written into the script. But I have never heard any reason given for dumping the PPK. While I thought the P99 was well used in "Casino Royale", in fact when the PPK returned in QOS, I was delighted. I imagine the choice made by DC to use the PPK was based more on Bond tradition and not because he has become a "gun nut". DC also wears Rolex watches with NATO bands, so he is a student of Bond.
Having Bond tote a pistol everywhere these days is pretty incredible, since everyone in the world is aware that airport security makes "packin heat" next to impossible. While it's always nice to see oo7's PPK make an appearance in the films, to keep it real - as in QOS - Bond is going to have to rely for the most part on "pick ups" to get the job done.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
PS: Is the Bapty company still around? I noticed during the end credits of QOS that another company provided all the prop weapons this time around rather Bapty who have been working with the Bond films since Dr. No.
Hi!
I allways thought that the reason for this was that, allthough script called for a PPK, they furnished Moore with P5 because it is a bigger gun on screen and looks similar enough to the PPK for the greater audience to not care. If they had really wanted to give Bond a P5 they could have redone the "This is your new gun, you carry it, or perhaps you'd like to return to the standard intelligence duties!" and given him P5c which is a compact version of the P5. Remember, this was in the '80s, when the surge towards 9mmpb and "Wondernines" as police weapons was in the full swing! Similarly Bonds PPK is fashionable nowadays with the rampant retro styling of design products, clothes, furniture, cars, motorscooters etc.
Anyways, it's all water under the bridge by now.....
-Mr Arlington Beech
In my opinion, Eon probably didn't want to bother with this Walther because of size, weight, and cost. Fans may not have even recognized this handgun as a Walther at the time.
A better choice at the time to transition to had that been Eon's intention, would have been the lighter and smaller P5 or P5C as seen in 'The Bourne Supremacy'. Another fine example of Walther's quality and workmanship.
because of the James Bond link but the gun itself is an absolute masterpiece.
Fortunately I have 4 of them all in perfect condition, and all priced at considerably less the the original one bought in this forum
in The States. All are 1966 - 1981 and all made in Ulm - most are with original boxes and one even has the original target from
Walther.
Have a look at www.valefireams.co.uk.
Yeah, Bapty is still a major player in the armoury supplies to movies business. They lost the contract to Crown Towers for CR and QOS after 40 plus years of supplying Bonds weapons. Crown Tower is run by ex-Bapty employees. There are a certain amount of sour grapes involved in this transission unfortunately.
(1) Concealed Covert carry: Something small, The PPK serves this role. Best for when wearing a tuxedo. The Beretta 418 best served this role, but it's poor ballistics mean it up close and nasty. Though the .32ACP isn't really much better, really.
And of course the ASP.
(2) Concealed Casual carry: in theory the PPK, but the P5 or new PPS would serve. This is for when Bond is still wanting a concealed gun, but concealment isn't as serious an issue as with a tuxedo. Actually the PPS is very thin it could probably do Both these types.
(3) Combat Carry: Something bigger, a hi Cap 9mm. The P99 fits here. For when he needs a handgun with lots of ammo, and covert carry is not an issue. When Bond is doing his commando thing.
And Finally , The Car gun: Fleming gave Bond a Colt .45 "Army special". Wether this was a .45 Colt revolver or a .45 ACP Colt 1911, I can't tell. I know there were .45ACP revolvers, and they used Moon clips to hold the bullet cartridge. This is for shooting at other cars. Although, the need for such a gun may be unecesary with Q branch gadgets. But those days are gone. And they were hardly present in Bond Novels anyway.
John Gardner gave Bond a .44 Magnum Ruger revolver for the 'Silver Beast' SAAB, and I know an RPG gave Bond a .454 Casull (pronounced Ca-sool) revolver.
I think a larger car gun would suit Bond, but not a Desert Eagle. It's too showy. And It's not really a Combat Pistol in the classic sense.
A little off topic from the Walther topic, but I thought I'd add it in anyway.
Cheers
0013
How about SIG 556 Pistol for a truly combat effective "Car Gun"? Much more versatile and capable than any of the Magnum class revolvers.
-Mr Arlington Beech
At least in Casino Royale he has a Police Positive under his pillow, in addition to carrying the 418.
Maybe a S&W 642?
So many guns, so many chances for mistakes...
Covert - Baby Glock. High capacity (10 rds) Medium power (9mm).
Everything else - .45 Glock or H&K USP High capacity/Heavy calibre - also good ballistic trajectory and velocity for use with a sound moderator.
Car - M4 carbine. Retractable stock/short barrel - 30 rds of .223/5.56mm. Option of M203 granade launcher underslung.
http://apbateman.com
In the real world of course, you could have a range of Glocks with different capacity and barrel lengths. All parts interchangeable, including rounds and mags etc. Perfect.
Just being practical. I have never suffered a mis-feed or any glitch with thousands of rounds through any Glock. They ain't pretty and they're pretty ubiquitous these days, but call me old fashioned - reliability is all that counts when you need to draw down for real...
http://apbateman.com
I agree with you. The PPK is a great little gun and I owned one for a number of years. It looks good, handles good and I found mine to be thoroughly reliable. A lot of people have issues with 7.65mm - but I wouldn't like to get shot in the face with one...
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:v I guess, you need a cigarette now, don't you 8-)
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
You know me so well
I also own a P5 (which admittedly I went for as a consolation prize after my local gun shop sold a NIB HK P7M8 the day after I saw it in the display case and decided to buy it).
Although my P5 is accurate and gives me very tight groups at my local firing range, the serrated trigger means that my finger does not glide across the trigger surface like on a smooth trigger face. Instead the skin of my finger pad drags on the serrations which hinders trigger roll.
This makes squeezing the trigger in double action very difficult without a very steady and sturdy hold on the gun for several seconds while maintaining a sight picture.
In a rapid-fire gunfight, or a quick draw and "double-tap" on a charging assailant, I don't know if I'd put my life in this gun's hands.
Old Roger and Big Tam had no such troubles with their P5's!
Come to think of it, Big Tam never even pulled the trigger on his P5. Could be he agreed with you!
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
Quite right!
-Mr Arlington Beech
I doubt you'll be thinking about it if you ever have to use it, but it can be 'fixed'.
Can this job be done and the original aluminum alloy finish restored to the newly smoothed trigger?
I used to have a Browning with the same problem on the trigger, but it was a single action HP. I filed down the serrations myself using a round file. Most gunsmiths set up for repairs can easily smooth out that trigger for you.
I've yet to use a pistol in a double-tap when the first round is on double action that isn't a bit off. The next double tap starting from single action is always a tighter group. But you'll know that anyway. The worst offender I ever encountered for long trigger pull and terrible double action shots was the Beretta 92fs. I've always felt the best overt combat pistols are single action - or double actions carried hot...
http://apbateman.com
The trigger is steel and it can be cold-re-blued. The piece is small enough that cold blue will not be noticed. It can also be removed for the work and hot blued. Though more time consuming which means more dollars for labor, this is the best method.
My favorite blueing method is Belgian blue, but this is not what Walther uses today, though it looks very good. I have a Model 4 and a Model 7 both refinished in Belgian blue that are outstanding. It patina's very well and gives an aged look after a bit of time.
WHOA! Talk about Firepower
The Names Castle, Frank Castle, License to Punish!
When you need it for real, you always wish you had more...
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