I have started a series of more comprehensive profiles of the original props in my own collection, and the second piece to be showcased is a hero Walther PPK from the James Bond film “Licence To Kill” staring Timothy Dalton. [Read more…]
Rock Island Auction Company “Premiere Firearms Auction” – December 6-8, 2008 in Moline, IL
Rock Island Auction Company is holding their “Premiere Firearms Auction” December 6, 7, and 8 in Moline, IL. Among the 2,700 lots of “historical, rare and unique firearms” are a few pieces previously sold at the Little John’s “World Famous Stembridge Armory Collection“. [Read more…]
“Machine Gun News” Stembridge Gun Rentals Article – Circa 1996
I was able to find another old article from a long out of print magazine with a nice feature on Stembridge Gun Rentals, Inc. – circa 1996. This was published in the July 1996 issue of “Machine Gun News”, written by Dan Shea of Long Mountain Outfitters. [Read more…]
Comic-Con 2008: Profiles in History
Below are photos of the Profiles in History exhibitor booth at Comic-Con International 2008 in San Diego this week. Items on display are part of the “Hollywood Auction 32“, July 31-August 1, 2008:
Landmark U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Second Amendment Rights
As reported back in March (see U.S. Supreme Court Examines Constitution’s Second Amendment, Right to Bear Arms), there has been much anticipation since last year over the U.S. Supreme Court’s examination of the Second Amendment to the Constitution – the “right to bear arms”. The case stems from a challenge to the constitutionality of the handgun ban in Washington D.C. [Read more…]
“True Magazine” Stembridge Gun Rentals Article – Circa 1969
I was able to find a very old article from a long out of print magazine with a nice feature on Stembridge Gun Rentals, Inc. – circa 1969. This was published in the January 1969 issue of “True Magazine: For Today’s Man”.
It is quite a fascinating read with a nice historic photo. As was the case with the Guns Magazine article, “Shoot For Effect”, I have shared a PDF of the article below (see “Guns Magazine” Stembridge Gun Rentals Article – Circa 1998).
Here is a link to the full article: “7,000 GUNS FOR HIRE” [Read more…]
The Side Arms of James Bond, 007: Part 2 – 1962 Sports Illustrated Article By Ian Fleming
This is a little “off topic” from movie props, but thought this would make a nice companion article to the one published a few days ago, “The Side Arms of James Bond, 007: From The Walther PPK to the P99“.
I came across an interesting article from 1962 written by Ian Fleming about the guns used by James Bond in the novels (the first Bond film, Dr. No, was released that same year). The article is framed by the actual correspondence between Fleming and a fan of the novels (Geoffrey Boothroyd) with real world firearms expertise, showcasing his recommendations for the character and rationale for certain side arm choices, and other related exchanges and anecdotes.
The March 19, 1962 article – “The Guns of James Bond” By Ian Fleming – is available to read at the Sports Illustrated website, SI.com, with scans of the actual magazine available as well in the “SI Vault”. [Read more…]
The Side Arms of James Bond, 007: From The Walther PPK to the P99
I recently acquired a very rare James Bond Walther PPK for my own collection, so I have done some research as to what handguns have been offered to the marketplace attributed to use in the films as the side arm of James Bond. I thought it might be of interest to readers to know “what is out there”. The focus of this article is primarily hero and “real” firearms (no stunts). [Read more…]