Ian Fleming’s revolver sold for £UK12,000

A revolver originally owned by James Bond author Ian Fleming has sold for £12,000 at a auction in London on March 28. It was bought anonymously by telephone.

The fine Colt Python .357 Magnum is a snub-nosed revolver, sporting a short 2½" barrel with a ramp fore-sight and an Elliason adjustable rear-sight fitted on the top of the frame. It has chequered walnut grips and Colt medallions on the butt and retains virtually all of its Colt high-polish blue finish. It is said to be in excellent condition.

Engraved on the left-hand side are the words ‘PRESENTED TO IAN FLEMING BY COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO.’. The revolver was presented to Fleming in 1964, the year that Fleming died, and is thought to have been made by a very senior executive at the famous firm who was also a Bond fan. The provenance of this firearm makes it highly collectable.

The revolver was one of the highlights of Bonhams’ Sale of Fine Modern Sporting Guns and Vintage Firearms and was auctioned in the maker’s carton with the Colt three-bladed flat turn-screw, bore brush and target. It was also accompanied with a letter of authentication from Colt and a copy of Ian Fleming's Goldfinger published in 1959. Fans of Fleming’s writing and his greatest creation, James Bond, will no doubt be keen to own a firearm that was owned by the author.

Born to a wealthy, well-connected family, Fleming was educated at Eton and Sandhurst, found work as a journalist with Reuters and later worked in banking. During World War II, he worked in Naval Intelligence as Commander Fleming, the right-hand man to spymaster Admiral John Godfrey. At the end of the war a naval conference sent him to Jamaica where he fell in love with the island which became his base for writing the Bond novels at his home ‘Goldeneye’.

For a full listing of upcoming sales and details of Bonhams’ specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com