007 - Ian Fleming Colt Python:

The original James Bond books were written by the son of a British Member of Parliament from a very wealthy merchant banking family, - who attended Eton and Sandhurst Military College (briefly).. Ian Fleming (1908-1964) was "removed from" Eton after six years and sent to Sandhurst by his desperate but influential mother - however he left there after less than a year in 1927 having reportedly contracted gonorrhea aged 18.

Eton College has educated 19 British Prime Ministers - and generations of the aristocracy who seem to enjoy being 'disciplined' and caned by their bedroom mistresses.

Although Fleming failed the examination for the Foreign Office in 1931 - he was engaged as personal assistant by the Director Of Naval Intelligence following the outbreak of WWII in 1939 (- after he had again failed both as a career financier and as a stockbroker).

Beretta 418 .25 ACP

Fleming does seem to have paid some attention to wartime happenings - as his books are OK firearm-wise. - Indeed he seems to have taken advice and changed 007s gun from the Beretta 418 in .25 ACP caliber after being told that this was "a lady's gun". - "Bond" was then changed-over to a Walther PPK pistol in .32 ACP... much better!

Walther PPK .32 ACP - Standard European Police Weapon of The Era.

The Bond stories and movies have been so popular that ten other authors have had a go at writing them following Fleming's passing.

 - But recent film "iterations" have been such rubbish that they would hardly make the 'Saturday Morning Pictures' (kids matinees) - in the "flee-pits" of my 1950s N.W. London childhood. - where we alternately booed or cheered riotously - under the glaring eye (maybe she had two eyes?) of the large lady with a torch.

Note: Phww - those post war scary women-in-charge - I'll never forget the widow-in-brown  'Mrs Bones' who ruled the children's swings enclosure at Grange Park with a rod of iron .. (maybe wood)!

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A fine Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver by Colt, no. 35459 was presented to the famous James Bond author Ian Fleming in 1964 (the year he died). The bore excellent. In the maker's carton with the Colt three bladed flat turn-screw, bore brush and target

 .357 Magnum revolver by Colt, no. 35459 presented to the famous James Bond author Ian Fleming in 1964

The left side of the action frame engraved 'PRESENTED TO IAN FLEMING BY COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO.', top of frame fitted with Elliason adjustable rear-sight, the barrel with ramp foresight, the butt with checkered walnut grips and Colt medallions, the revolver retaining virtually all of its Colt high polish blue finish

2½in. barrel, London nitro proof

The bore excellent. In the maker's carton with the Colt three bladed flat turn-screw, bore brush and target

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Eton Boys 1932.

Marty K.