[Manedwolf]

James Bond `Dr. No' Gun Fetches $106,202 at Christie's Auction

By Linda Sandler

Dec. 6 (Bloomberg) -- James Bond's Walther PP gun, wielded by Sean Connery in the 1962 movie, ``Dr. No,'' sold for 54,000 pounds ($106,202) at Christie's International in London yesterday, double its presale estimate.

Connery's gun was the most expensive of 60 weapons featured in Bond films in the past 40 years that Christie's sold for a total of 217,572 pounds, along with other movie memorabilia. The buyer's name wasn't disclosed. Roger Moore's Walther P5 handgun, used in the 1983 film, ``Octopussy,'' fetched 7,200 pounds, missing its top estimate of 8,000 pounds.

My question is, though, if handguns are banned in the UK, how can someone own this PPK there, since it IS most certainly a handgun? :D

[Justin]

I wouldn't be surprised to find that the UK does have exceptions for collectors and museums.

Money talks.

[mdao]

I believe that all of the Bond guns that are sold to collectors are deactivated before sale.

EDIT: Found a source (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/06/arts/06arts.html?ex=1165554000&en=2a166058eb17bec6&ei=5070) for that information. Search for "deactivated".

EDIT 2: From what I understand, deactivated gun are legal for ownership in England, so the legality of buying this PPK isn't an issue.

[Justin]

Most prop and blank-firing guns are pretty much deactivated for use in movies. As I understand it, much of the barrel has to be plugged in order to make the things cycle blanks.

[JohnL2]

I recall a conversation with a coworker once.
Which is the better investment? Artwork or firearms?
We were both refugees from the art world. Had enough of the b.s..
We both unanimously agreed: firearms.

[psyopspec]

Is the golden gun a double investment then?

[Fosbery]

Handguns which are of 'special historical importance' such as engraved/decorated centinary pieces, prototypes, low/unusual serial numbers or those that are extremely rare or special like a .45 Luger, the gun that killed Martin Luther King, Hitler's gun etc are exempt from the handgun ban (as are muzzle loaders, signalling pistols, pistols designed for the humane distaptch of animals, war trophies and pistols manufactured before 1919 - the latter is not to be fired and must be stored at a government approved site, such as the National Shooting Center at Bisley).

All of these (except war trophies and antiques which are not to be fired) require a certificate to own.

However, this particular pistol is likely to be de-activated and thus required no certificate.

[Manedwolf]

war trophies

Except for all the war trophies and all the lend-lease guns from the US that they dumped into the ocean in 1946...