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There ’s a dead on target story behindJames Bond ’s artillery of choice : the Walther PPK . MI6 agent 007 is one of the most legendary characters in all of fable . Practically every aspect of his character has become iconic , fromhis Aston Martin carsto his Z watch and his Walther PPK , a heavyset shooting iron earlier designed for use in secret operation . in the beginning , James Bond used to be fortify with a Baretta 418 in the Ian Fleming novel — here ’s why the secret agentive role made the switching .
From the very first of his cinematic tenure , 007 has been armed with the PPK . The arm was first deliver to him in an early setting ofDr . No , the first motion picture in the serial . Ever since , it has been Bond ’s trusty sidearm for well-nigh all of the graphic symbol ’s on - screen adventures , save for a full stop in the late Brosnan / other Craig earned run average where he switched to the Walther P99 .
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In the initial novels by Ian Fleming , Bond used a Baretta 418 , a little gun chamber for .25 caliber bullets . This was the same sidearm Fleming himself had been come forth during his time as a World War II intelligence activity officer . He felt it would fita character like James Bondsince it was well-to-do to conceal : in a thin chamois leather leather holster , it would be nigh - unobtrusive to potential enemies and – more importantly – it would n’t make any unwanted furrow in his cause . However , one man think Bond should carry a stronger artillery , and his interaction with Ian Fleming conduce to 007 being force to abandon the Baretta and pick up his iconic PPK .
The True Story Behind James Bond’s Walther PPK
The true story of James Bond ’s signature artillery goes back to the Ian Fleming novel . The literary version of 007 had been well - served by his .25 calibre side arm , but Fleming opted to change James Bond ’s theme song weapon system based on advice by British firearms expert , Geoffrey Boothroyd . Boothroyd told Fleming that 007 should have better protection than the Beretta could provide . In a letter to the generator , Boothroyd described the Beretta 418 as " a peeress ’s gun , " and thought theagent with a license to killneeded something good . Rather than dismissing the letter out of hand , Fleming take Boothroyd for advice on what artillery 007 should carry . Thus , the calamitous change to James Bond ’s signature weapon was made .
How James Bond Got His Signature Gun
In the novelDr . No , Bond is forced by M to relinquish his Baretta in favour of a Walther PPK and a six-gun , but the latter weapon would be cursorily phased out in favor of the former in subsequent floor . Best of all , the character who gives Bond his new gun , the man who would afterwards evolve into the serial publication keystone , is have-to doe with to as " Major Boothroyd , " a nod to the man who inspire the change . This line of descent of Bond getting the PPK would conduct over to the Dr. No movie , 007 ’s onscreen entry , as played by the late Sean Connery .
James Bond ’s Walther PPK would serve ashis trusty sidearm for 35 years , appearing in almost every single 007 plastic film untilOctopussy , where it was briefly replaced by the newer Walther P5 , though most viewers would be severely - contract to acknowledge the switch since the guns search similar to the untrained eye . In 1997’sTomorrow Never Dies , Bond tack out his PPK for a P99 , a bulky weapon with a higher magazine capacity chamber for either 9 mm or .40 S&W bullets . The P99 remained Pierce Brosnan ’s main sidearm for the duration of his incumbency as 007 , as well asDaniel Craig ’s first outing as the role , Casino Royale . InQuantum of Solace , the character returned to using the classic PPK , pocket-size variations of which would see use in subsequent films .
James Bond’s Walther PPK Explained
The Walther PPK is just an all - around better artillery for Bond ’s purposes and presented several acclivity . In direct contrast to the .25 caliber rounds of the Baretta , the Walther PPK used by 007 is chamber for .32 ACP rounds , a far more democratic bullet well available all over the world , which is utile for an factor like Bond . Additionally , the rounds have importantly more stopping power than the old Baretta , thus put up 007 a greater degree of protection in a heated firefight . lastly , the weapon is minuscule than most shooting iron , sparing Bond ’s tux from those pesky kris . It ’s no marvel that 007 has only rarely wavered from using such a dependable accelerator as his main weapon . Bond most recently was build up with the PPK during 2021’sNo clip to Die , which served toend the Daniel Craig eraof the character . It ’s unclear if the next Bond movie will still useJames Bond ’s signature tune artillery , the Walther PPK , but it ’s probably not wise to bet against its rejoinder .
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