WALTHER PPK

 

Bond's classic gun, the Walther PPK is introduced in Dr. No when 007's Beretta is replaced by Major Boothroyd, the armourer of the secret service, after a nasty incident when it jammed. Ever since, it has become legendary as the weapon of a secret agent. It's small size with a flat design make it ideal for concealment and the 7.65mm calibre with a 6 round magazine pack a powerful punch.  Ian Fleming chose it as Bond's weapon after consulting with a weapons expert named Boothroyd.

BOND'S DIFFERENCE

Reluctant to part with the lighter Beretta, Bond is forced by M to adopt this more powerful handgun.  It would become his principal weapon in most of his cinematic missions.  In this first film, Q had yet to emerge as a significant figure character, hence 007's sole gadget is an ordinary geiger counter

 

BASICS

This well made double-action blowback pistol appeared in 1931 and is available in several different calibres, all distinguished by a lack of stopping power.  It had a reputation for reliability, which was badly dented in the UK when a police officer guarding Princess Anne had a stoppage on the first round during a kidnap attempt in the 1970's.  This put the Metropolitan Police off automatic pistols for decades.  However, no-one else has had any complaints (including 007) and the PPK will be around for some time to come.

 

SPECS

Cartridge:          22LR, 6.35-mm, 7.65-mm or 9-mm Short (.380ACP)

Weight:               568g (20oz)

Length:               155-mm (6-in)

Barrel length:    86-mm (3-in)

Magazine:          7 rounds

Beretta

007's weapon of choice, his .25 calibre Beretta was taken from him in Dr. No when M called in the armourer for advice. Although Bond liked the gun, it had failed him on a mission (it had caught in his clothes when he tried to draw it from his shoulder holster) and needed to be replaced. Major Boothroyd (played by Peter Burton and named after the Major who had consulted with Fleming on Bond's choice of handgun) suggested the perfect weapon for a secret agent - conceable, yet powerful, and Bond's Beretta was replaced with the now legendary Walther PPK.

 

 

 

DR. NO GADGETS

Q-BRANCH

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