Now available to preorder on Kickstarter, “Licensed Troubleshooter: The Guns of James Bond” is a celebration of the most fascinating small arms wielded by one of the world’s most acclaimed action heroes, 007. This in-depth analysis spans the entire collection of Bond films and the novels that inspired them, including those authored by Ian Fleming and also those of the continuation authors. This visual history thoroughly examines the design and implementation of Bond’s tools, and of course, their impact on 007.
Beyond simply paying tribute to the fictional hero of James Bond, Licensed Troubleshooter shines a spotlight on the real-world operators employing the same firearms, featuring interviews with current and former military and intelligence personnel from agencies in the United Kingdom and the United States, including the CIA, MACV-SOG, U.S. Navy SEALs, DSS, and more. These interviews, combined with substantive historical research, provide the reader with a deeper understanding of the often incredible history of these firearms, including their use in combat and clandestine services. Be prepared to see Bond’s guns in a way you’ve never seen them before.
Notable firearms featured in this book include:
Walther PPK iconic compact pistol
Analysis of Ian Fleming’s “skeleton gripped .25 Beretta”
An exploration and identification of Ian Fleming’s “long-barreled .45 Colt Army Special”
ASP 9 mm pistol
Walther WA2000 precision rifle
Scaramanga’s famous “Golden Gun”
Heckler & Koch P7 with squeeze cocker and piston-delayed operation
Walther P99 polymer-framed pistol
SVD Dragunov, sniper rifle of the Iron Curtain
MBA Gyrojet firing rocket-propelled projectiles
Though this book provides significant written analysis and commentary, it is also presented in part as a pictorial study in order to best highlight the varied and unique details of the noteworthy firearms used by Bond. The masterful photography of James Rupley jumps off the page, often exhibiting these small arms at larger-than-life scale. Equally appealing to both firearms collectors and Bond aficionados, Licensed Troubleshooter serves as the first book to celebrate the small arms of the literary and cinematic Bond in this comprehensive manner.
At Forgotten Weapons I think the most interesting guns out there are the most obscure ones. I try to search out experimental and prototype weapons and show you how they work, in addition to more conventional guns that you may not have heard of before. You’re much more likely to find a video on the Cei Rigotti or Webley-Fosbery here than an AR or Glock. So, do you want to learn about something new today? Then stick around!
