AR7 Explorer rifle

Kleynen · August 2009

Build myself an AR-7 Explorer rifle (non-firing to keep it legal).
Hope you like it :007)

Stock and magazine are original, other components I build myself.

texas007 · August 2009

Very nice - why don't you make a silencer to go with it too.
Check with Ed - he made one for his AR7
Thanks for sharing

j.blades · August 2009

really nice how did you get one, ii would love one.

Donald Grant · August 2009

Nice. It looks like a Charter Arms with a custom painted stock.

DG

7289 · August 2009

The original rifle was made by Armalite.

Charter Arms is one of maybe three companies that have produced the rifle over the years. "Explorer" was strictly a Charter Arms designation.

Donald Grant · August 2009

Yep, Armalite was the original manufacturer and it's what appeared in FRWL. The trick is finding a vintage Armalite with the correct hard to find reddish brown stock. Ed Magianni has an original Armalite with the correct stock. I was lucky enough to just get one myself. When it arrives, I'll post pictures. The one I have presently is from AR-7 Industries. I was lucky enough to get mine when they were offering a faux wood grain stock which does not seem to be available anymore. The look of the faux wood grain matches what we see Tilly Masterson carry in Goldfinger and what Bond has in his DBS in OHMSS. In talking to Ed, there apparently was a real wood stock offered for the Armalite AR-7 at one time. I've never seen one for sale. The real wood stock version has to be the rarest variant if it indeed it exists. Due to the rarity we have both considered having them custom made. Ed is of course the real expert in this area.

DG

7289 · August 2009

I recall the original AR7 pretty well since I have been a JB firearms fan since the age of ten, which was some time ago. I saw a couple of the reddish brown versions "back in the day", but was too young to buy one back then and have never found one for sale since. There were not many made in the original version because they really did not work very well.

I would wager that it was James Bond who is responsible for the longevity of this firearm. One it's own merit it deserved to die years ago, and it was only with the later Charter Arms version that the rifle actually worked fairly well.

As I remember the wood stock was only available for a year or so, and the original model was discontinued shortly thereafter.

Looking forward to the photos, DG!!!!

thespyboys11 · August 2009

Christof,
That is AB-SO-LUTLY AMAZING!!!!
I understand that real components were used but to fabricate the receiver yourself is amazing tribute to your modeling skills!!!

I was in the process of casting an AR-7 receiver in solid resin to then offer it to the Bond fans who cannot legally own this rifle. My plan was similar to yours in that the barrel, stock and magazine would be real items that would attach to the resin receiver.

I'm going to work on making the silencer and telescopic sight as well.

In reference to both the telescopic sight and the mount used on the rifle… I have been researching this rifle for a VERY long time and have contacted several collectors and companies involved with the history and identification of rifle scopes and no one has been able to ID these particular parts. It may be possible that they were fabricated by Bert Luxford in the prop department. However, if anyone knows what they are please contact me!!!

I am familiar with the common 4X15 image moving Nitrogen filled scope made in Japan and used by Lazenby in OHMSS as well as the standard scope mount offered by Charter Arms for this rifle...but they are NOT what we seek.

Below are some interesting observations about this rifle from the 72-Page booklet I put together on the attaché’ case and its components….

Desmond inaccurately describes the AR-7 as a “Folding snipers rifle” as well as stating it was a .25 caliber instead of the correct .22 short round. He also points to the rear barrel of the rifle and incorrectly identifies it as an infra red telescopic sight.

We never see or hear any mention of the silencer or scope mount. I suppose, in our imagination, they too were stored in that stock.

It is very possible that originally another survival rifle, at the time also offered by Armalite, may have been slated for use by 007. This was the U.S. Air Force M6 “Scout” survival rifle. The original “Scout” made by Ithaca did indeed fold under the barrel.

The reddish-brown ABS stock is the correct version which was used on the Costa Mesa Armalite AR-7. The same rifle (minus the silencer) was used by Tilly Masterson in GOLDFINGER. The rifle makes a cameo appearance in OHMSS, now neatly tucked into the Aston Martin glove compartment. The original rifle, apparently, wasn’t available as it was replaced by the extremely rare wooden version of the stock. The scope and silencer were also different from the ones used in both FRWL & GOLDFINGER.

I originally thought the wooden stock was fabricated by the prop department until I saw a firearms book which showed photos of the stock in wood. I contacted the Technical Product Manager, Rick Clancy at Armalite and he confirmed there were very few made as well as a few other variants.

Getting back to the GOLDFINGER appearance….if you look closely you’ll see that the scope was attached to the rifle BACKWARDS!!! If anyone has ever looked into the wrong end of a scope knows…this makes the object you’re looking at seem FURTHER away. (No wonder Tilly missed…LOL)

NOTE: A publicity still of Bond hiding among the rocks, presumably aiming the rifle at the SPECTRE helicopter, shows that the magazine inserted backwards!!!! OOPS!!!

Another interesting tidbit is that Bond recognizes the case and even states “I had one just like it”
Obviously, Bond knows that it houses a rifle….but HOW could he???

Well, I recently ran across a blueprint from EON that shows the blueprints for this case with the AR-7 stored inside. Interestingly, the blueprint is marked FRWL. This leads me to believe that the case was originally slated for use in FRWL but was deceided to include it in the attache case.
Both the handle and locking mechanism on the case match those on the attache case.

In closing, I again applaud Christof for his stunning replica and Donald Grant for his latest aquasition. Besides him, I only know of 2 others in the hands of all the Bond collectors I have met throughout the years. Truly a rare find that will enhance your collection!!!

Ed
TheSpyBoys.com

scaramangasgoldengun · August 2009

I would love one of these resin replicas.. I have the rifle stock .. so i would be very much interested in the barrel and the receiver... and silencer and sight very cool indeed.. would look great in my attache case with talc tin and gadgets. knifes and coin belts..

amazing work ... 10/10 great ... AMAZING !

thespyboys11 · August 2009

Exactly...I'm working on it.
Ed
TheSpyBoys.com

danjaq_0ff · August 2009

thespyboys11 wrote:

Exactly...I'm working on it.
Ed
TheSpyBoys.com

That set my one ?

danjaq_0ff · August 2009

I think anyone in UK might have problems with customs ??? even if made in resin. anyone ?

7289 · August 2009

Ed,

.22 short? I thought these rifles were all chambered in .22 Long Rifle....

thespyboys11 · August 2009

OOOPS!!!! See...even I make mistakes...rarely but I do...LOL
Ed

7289 · August 2009

I would also like to offer the following:

1) The "telescopic sight" on Bond's AR7 has no provision for internal adjustment of the crosshairs. There is a small "wheel" under the front end of the scope which would appear to adjust for elevation. Without any way to make fine windage and elevation corrections, that scope would not preform in a satisfactory manner on ANY firearm. Older scopes without internal adjustments used a very bulky and elaborate mount - which is not present on Bond's rifle. In any event, you would be unlikely to find one on a .22 rifle or airgun, which is what the small 3/4 size scope tube on Bond's rifle would be used on - centerfire rifles recoil enough to knock the guts out of such a small scope in very short order.

2) Taking into consideration the observations that the "Bond Scope" is not a viable arrangement for a real world firearm, then one can conclude it was made in the Prop shop. It seems likely that some real firearms components were used in the construction of Bond's scope/mount. Since the scope itself has what appear to be focus adjustment rings at both ends, I would wager it is not a real riflescope.

3) No one has addressed it, but the scope could not be "infra red". The infra-red system available in the 1960's was a huge bulky affair. For an idea of what the system looked like , refer to the THRUSH carbine on "The Man from UNCLE". It is mounted with a prop knock off of the '60s infra red system. It would not look good on the AR7!

Therefore I conclude that Bond's set-up was indeed a creation of the Prop Man. That is why after so many years of looking, no one can find a similiar real world sight system - it does not and never has existed, except in the movies!!!

minigeff · August 2009

i'd just like to point out to people that although its technically just a steel tube, a barrel is classed roughly in the same way as a firearm, and UK citizens need licences to buy, sell, import, export and use them etc.

it could also be said that making replica relaistic firearms is illegal in the UK under the VCRA act 2006.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/pdf/ukpga_20060038_en.pdf

turn to section 36, page 42 for details.

not trying to be a killjoy here, but be careful you dont go tripping up over any of the numerous gun laws people.

nice work by the way guys, im impressed.

what kinda casting method did you use on the ar-7 action ed? 1 piece or multiple piece mould?

thespyboys11 · August 2009

Alright, alright....so MAYBE it wouldn't have fit into the attache...LOL:))
Ed
TheSpyBoys.com

037 Scaramanga · August 2009

thespyboys11 wrote:

Alright, alright....so MAYBE it wouldn't have fit into the attache...LOL:))
Ed
TheSpyBoys.com

What the #$%^ is that.

Ed is that piece in your collection ? please explain.

thespyboys11 · August 2009

Leo,
That's just a quick photoshopped pic of an AR-7 with an Infra Red scope.....LOL
Fooled ya'
Ed
TheSpyBoys.com

Kleynen · August 2009

Thank you all for the positive feedback!
I am not fully satisfied with the result yet. I want to sand the receiver and paint it again. (The welds don't look nice.)
Edd's casting is great (but he should have told me before I went through all this trouble

).Can the magazine be taken out? If not, it is not going to fit in the stock.
I can confirm that receiver and barrel are illegal in Belgium. But replicas are not

.

thespyboys11 · August 2009

As 7289 stated, an infra-red scope (such as the one in my photo-shopped pic) was a VERY large setup. This particular version (sometimes referred to as the “Snooper Scope) was commonly used on the M2 carbine and was, in fact, the inspiration for the THRUSH rifle setup that was used in the TV show THE MAN FROM UNCLE, as previously stated.

In fact, the first appearance of this on the show used that very same setup mounted on carbines as they pursued Napoleon Solo through the woods (The Iowa Scuba affair)
The prop department later made their own mockup version out of aluminum.

Another screen appearance was in the Sci-Fi film “THE OMEGA MAN” it was mounted atop a BAR rifle used by Charlton Heston to blast “Zombies” YAAA BABY!!!

I agree that both the scope and the mount may have been a prop master’s creation.

In addressing the previous question…the resin replica was made using 2 piece silicone mold.

And, Christof, if I had told you about the resin casting we wouldn't have been priveledged to see the fine workmanship you did on your replica.

The magazine will be cast as a seperate unit so it can be stored in the stock.

Ed
TheSpyBoys.com

Kleynen · August 2009

Ed, before I start building again. Do you have any plans to cast a Gyrojet gun in the near future??

thespyboys11 · August 2009

Only AFTER you're doing building one...LOL
I will, however, send you some plans you might find useful.
Ed
TheSpyBoys

7289 · August 2009

thespyboys11 wrote:

Alright, alright....so MAYBE it wouldn't have fit into the attache...LOL:))
Ed
TheSpyBoys.com

Now THAT is a scope!!!!

Bravo!!!!

)

Donald Grant · August 2009

I told you Ed knew his stuff.

By the way Ed, I'm still waiting for my copy of the 72 page booklet on the FRWL Attache Case. When will it be ready?

DG

thespyboys11 · August 2009

THANK YOU SIR!!!
Give me a call on Friday if you get a chance.
Ed

scaramangasgoldengun · August 2009

I would also still love a copy of the FRWL attche case booklet ?

please let me know .. many thanks .. and great work again everyone..

I cannot wait to unvail the REAL Golden gun to you all .. pretty soon ..

getting Gold Plated very soon .. the ultimate functional prop ... even works more and better than the originals in the film let alone other replicas.

minigeff · August 2009

I've picked out what i believe to be the useful bits (and relevent parts) of the VCRA2006.

Basically, its up to any prospective maker to read through the entire article which can be found here;

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/pdf/ukpga_20060038_en.pdf

In a nutshell, i believe its a bit risky to be making your Golden Gun mick, especially with all the features you keep mentioning.

I've tried my hardest to get this message across, and i hope you heed this advise and at least check with your local police service's firearms dept. to make sure you're legal.

Please people, read and understand the following. If you don't understand it, contact you local police force and they will put you straight.

As someone who's involved in both the world of James Bond, and target shooting, I love seeing people's creations and works of art, and believe me, i'm all for it. My main concern though is that people keep themselves legal.

cheers, MG.

ps, if you can't sleep, just read this lot below, it'll soon send you off.

Taken from the VCRA act2006 page 37, section 36 (applies to UK citizens only)

Imitation firearms

36

(9) An offence under this section shall be punishable, on summary conviction—

(a) in England and Wales, with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51
weeks or with a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or with
both; and

(b) in Scotland, with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or
with a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or with both.

37

Specific defences applying to the offence under s. 36

(1) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under section 36 in
respect of any conduct to show that the conduct was for the purpose only of
making the imitation firearm in question available for one or more of the
purposes specified in subsection

(2) Those purposes are—

(a) the purposes of a museum or gallery;

(b) the purposes of theatrical performances and of rehearsals for such
performances;

(c) the production of films (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c. 48) - see section 5B of that Act);

(d) the production of television programmes (within the meaning of the
Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) - see section 405(1) of that Act);

(e) the organisation and holding of historical re-enactments organised and
held by persons specified or described for the purposes of this section
by regulations made by the Secretary of State;

(f) the purposes of functions that a person has in his capacity as a person
in the service of Her Majesty.

38

Meaning of “realistic imitation firearm”

(1) In sections 36 and 37 “realistic imitation firearm” means an imitation firearm
which—

(a) has an appearance that is so realistic as to make it indistinguishable, for
all practical purposes, from a real firearm; and

(b) is neither a de-activated firearm nor itself an antique.

(2) For the purposes of this section, an imitation firearm is not (except by virtue of
subsection

2(b) to be regarded as distinguishable from a real firearm for any
practical purpose if it could be so distinguished only—

(a) by an expert;

(b) on a close examination; or

(c) as a result of an attempt to load or to fire it.

(3) In determining for the purposes of this section whether an imitation firearm is
distinguishable from a real firearm—

(a) the matters that must be taken into account include any differences
between the size, shape and principal colour of the imitation firearm
and the size, shape and colour in which the real firearm is
manufactured; and

(b) the imitation is to be regarded as distinguishable if its size, shape or
principal colour is unrealistic for a real firearm.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that, for the purposes of
subsection

(3)(b)—

(a) the size of an imitation firearm is to be regarded as unrealistic for a real
firearm only if the imitation firearm has dimensions that are less than
the dimensions specified in the regulations; and

(b) a colour is to be regarded as unrealistic for a real firearm only if it is a
colour specified in the regulations.

thespyboys11 · August 2009

minigeff · August 2009

yep, thats how it is for us guys in the UK im afraid ed 8-)

scaramangasgoldengun · August 2009

i realy do appreciate all the info you keep mentioning.. everytime the word replica .. or gun or trigger or resin ... or a firearm name or fictional prop is mentioned...

and you may think i am underminding you or just ignoring you with regards to making certain items etc .. But i am not .. i truly appreciate your advise and concern ... as do . I am sure a lot of other forums members...

but I am one for free speech .. and these forums are a great form of communication between many of us close collectors.. however.. I would not like people to start moving away from the forums and go back to communicating covertly through emails ... and in privite when it comes to duscussing and creating new props and items... it would be a real shame .. not that we dont all chat now and then through email to each other but .. its good to have this community .. and with constant reminders of legal law etc and the discouragment over anything ... even blue sky thinking .. will eventually in my mind start .. to a certain extent .. discourage people from saying anything on the forums..

as i say .. dont take what i am saying the wrong way .. i think we understand each other and what i am trying to say ..

the way i see it.. people have the right to make and create items for there own personal collections and archives.. if it dosent effect or even come into contact with anyone else... then what is the problem...

laws constantly P**ss me off there priorities are a joke.. in terms of combating crime.. in terms of ok .. will we go and clamp down on the gangs in London with 8 year old kids running about with sub machine guns.. or will we go and prosocute a star wars collector for having a resin stormtropper blaster.. o yea the collector.. is more of a priority .. its an absolute joke..

many of you may remember me mentioning the idea of a collectors certificate or somthing along those lines .. which would allow the genuine collector and enthusiast .. to own dummy weapons etc .. however they would no doubt use it to back stab the genuine collector and get them to hand in there prised posesions ..

AR7 Explorer rifle

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