A Walther PP automatic pistol, wielded by Sean Connery in his debut as James Bond in Dr. No, sold for more than a quarter-million dollars at an auction of classic Hollywood memorabilia on Thursday.
Walther PPs and PPKs have been part of the Bond iconography since the first film in the series in 1962, with the image of the pistol being incorporated into the "007" logo. Seller Julien's Auctions announced that the anonymous winning bidder is an American fan who, with their children, has watched the entire Bond series. The bidder paid $256,000, far above the prop's estimated value of $150,000 to $200,000.
BAPTY, the United Kingdom firm that provided prop weapons for Dr. No, identified this deactivated Walther as one of two used in the movie. BAPTY sold that Walther PP in a 2006 auction of its archives.
Connery, the first James Bond on the big screen, died in October at age 90. He played secret agent 007 in seven films, with his last one being 1983's Never Say Never Again. Connery's final on-screen role was in 2003's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and he retired in 2006. Connery was knighted in 2000 and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for 1988's The Untouchables.
The Icons & Idols Hollywood online auction offered more than 500 items, including props, costumes, personal effects and memorabilia from decades of movie making and television.
Source: Julien's Auctions