£15,000 Cash Reward Offered For The Recovery Of Stolen James Bond Guns

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Comments

  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    edited April 2021

    It did get a fair bit of coverage at the time, but as John has said, interest has faded a bit now in the media because they like a fresh story. I don't know how you spark it again, really. It must be a horrible situation.

  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,416Chief of Staff
  • JoshuaJoshua Posts: 1,138MI6 Agent

    I am saddened to hear about this.

    I have an idea which might perhaps be of some help. Could you contact the prison service and ask that they post the details of the crime, what was stolen and (most importantly) the reward? If this was able to be done and 'advertised' through the prison population, there is a chance that some one might know where the guns are - or what happened to them?

    Your word that no questions would be asked for their return might get a result?

    I don't know if the prison service could help in this way but it will cost nothing to find out.


    I have just looked online and see there is a newspaper for Prisoners in the UK. Perhaps you could consider contacting them to get the story in to the newspaper? It gets to 85,000 prisoners! You could even put an advertisement in this newspaper?

    https://www.magzter.com/GB/CPUK-Print-Publishing-Ltd/Jail-Mail-UK-–--Prison-Newspaper/Newspaper/

  • Bond Collectors' WeekendsBond Collectors' Weekends Gainesville, Florida USAPosts: 1,882MI6 Agent

    All of this is frustrating, especially, Donk, since you and Dodgy and others are so very kind and helpful to everyone at AJB. I will "take out" with a double-tap anyone I find involved in this heinous crime.

    Seven (007) James Bond Tours! Mission: Mexico!
  • ppw3o6rppw3o6r Great BritainPosts: 2,270MI6 Agent
    edited April 2021

    After 13 months rusting in the wilderness, the Police have returned what is left of the Llama. A good solid day of buffing with wire wool has removed the rust and left only mild pitting but it's still pretty heart breaking considering this pistol had previously been used by Robert Shaw with the grips blacked out, Lotte Lenya and Daniella Bianchi in 1963's classic From Russia With Love, had its blued finish polished off for Sir Roger Moore as Ffolkes in 1980's North Sea Hijack and Pierce Brosnan in 2002's Die Another Day .... and of course was also thigh holstered by Rachael Grant.

    My hope is a donor pistol can be sourced in Spain to replace the missing barrel and slide. If anyone has one deactivated in any condition, for sale? please contact me. Thank you.


  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent

    Sorry to see that, John. The history is fascinating, I had no idea it was used in FRWL too.

  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,416Chief of Staff

    Leaves you with an overwhelming sense of sorrow...best of luck, Donk 🍸

    YNWA 97
  • ACACIA_AVENUEACACIA_AVENUE UKPosts: 1,774MI6 Agent

    Knowing Donk's skills by the time it's completed it will look better than the original 🍸️

    One of us smells like a tart's handkerchief.
  • The Red KindThe Red Kind EnglandPosts: 3,119MI6 Agent

    Best of luck with it Donk.👍️

    "Any of the opposition around..?"
  • ppw3o6rppw3o6r Great BritainPosts: 2,270MI6 Agent
    edited December 2021

    Hep required from the Bond community. Unfortunately support from "the Industry!" has not been forthcoming and I have personally been knocking on doors. To that end the following three posts are on Facebook:


    Contact required for actor Halle Berry in the hope the Lady will support a media campaign:

    Dear all in Facebookland. Does anyone out there know how to contact Halle Berry? I have tried her website but there does not appear to be a way of sending her a message?. I'm hoping she may be prepared to be the face/voice of a media campaign to recover and exhibit two Beretta James Bond guns used by her character CIA Agent Giacinta "Jinx" Johnson in 2002's 40th Anniversary outing Die Another Day, which were stolen back in late March 2020. These formed part of a collection which included major screen pieces from the Bond franchise from 1963-2015.

    https://www.facebook.com/john.reynolds.338211/posts/10218411997164070

    Contact required for actor Pierce Brosnan in the hope the Gentleman will support a media campaign:

    Dear all in Facebookland. Does anyone out there know how to contact Pierce Brosnan? I have tried his website but there does not appear to be a way of sending him a message?. I'm hoping he may be prepared to be the face/voice of a media campaign to recover and exhibit three James Bond guns used in his final outing as Agent 007, Die Another Day which were stolen back in late March 2020. These formed part of a collection which included major screen pieces from Pierce's 1995-2002 tenure as James Bond.

    https://www.facebook.com/john.reynolds.338211/posts/10218408342152697

    Contact required for Sir Roger Moore's daughter, actress Deborah Moore in the hope the Lady will support a media campaign:

    Dear all in Facebookland. Does anyone out there know how to contact Deborah Moore? I have tried her known representative Bondstars.com who have as yet not replied. I'm hoping she may be prepared to be the face/voice of a media campaign to recover and exhibit James Bond guns used by her late Father in Live and Let Die and A View to a Kill and the Llama which was used by Sir Roger in North Sea Hijack, which were stolen back in late March 2020. These formed part of a collection which included major screen pieces from Sir Roger's 1973-1985 tenure as James Bond.

    The second image is of the proposed permanent "Sir Roger Moore collection" exhibit at The Royal Armouries in Leeds detailing pieces used by the actor in a number of his action roles including 007 prior to the break in. The only two pieces missing from this proposed exhibit are decommissioned Walther PPK pistols which are part of the official EON Archive!

    https://www.facebook.com/john.reynolds.338211/posts/10218401654905520



  • ppw3o6rppw3o6r Great BritainPosts: 2,270MI6 Agent
    edited December 2021

    A development of sorts. Back in January I personally contacted the Bond Producers at EON asking them to support the appeal to recover the guns in the tabloid press. My proposition would depend upon absolute non-disclosure in the media beforehand to get it to work however on December 1st after a year of deliberation my proposition was declined which meant hitting facebook again:

    Contact required for actor George Lazenby in the hope the gentleman will support a media campaign:

    Dear all in Facebookland. Does anyone out there know how to contact actor and one time 007 George Lazenby?

    I'm hoping he may be prepared to be the face/voice of a media campaign (which EON's Producers have just passed on after a year of deliberation) to recover and exhibit a number of James Bond guns at The Royal Armouries in Leeds which were stolen in a very well publicized home invasion back on 23rd March 2020 at the birth of the UK pandemic. These formed part of a collection which included a number of screen pieces from Mr Lazenby's 1969 tenure as James Bond which was along with 2006's Casino Royale in my opinion the finest and therefore the perfect 007 movie of the 60 year franchise: Superb acting, cast, story, Direction, cinematography, orchestration and breath taking action sequences. Did I mention orchestration?? and yes I do know "how Christmas trees are grown!" (I love that track) and both movies deprived (or riddled with machine gun fire!) Mr Bond of his Aston Martin DBS and love interest!

    The London Times who had first covered the story on page 3 (see image) at the time of the break in and later followed up with an unillustrated column on page 15 have made it clear that the story would not go any further within their pages without “Named” Bond personality support which would make the story news worthy again!!

    The final two images are of the OHMSS Angels of Death Asprey set which was on loan to EON for the Bond in Motion exhibit and as a weapon (the 1969 storyline was one of chemical warfare!) would also be exhibited at The Royal Armouries in Leeds.

    https://www.facebook.com/john.reynolds.338211/posts/10218682549727715


  • welshboy78welshboy78 Posts: 10,292MI6 Agent
    edited December 2021

    Was hoping this update was great news! Real shame about EON's lack of support

    You reached out to George Lazenby on Instagram - presume its his manager but they are very active

    Instagram - bondclothes007
  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,631MI6 Agent

    So let's get this straight: thanks largely to an incredibly-loyal and patient fan base, EON manage to do exceptionally well at the box office despite Covid and - despite being in the full knowledge that it would be perceived as a betrayal by many life-long diehards - do something in the film that a considerable section of diehard fans were not very pleased with, to say the least. Then, when one of those diehard fans who has supported the series through thick and thin and devoted huge time, effort, and funds to helping preserve its physical legacy for all to enjoy suffers an appalling loss, EON dither for a year before deciding to do absolutely nothing to help him and future generations of fans. A production company that I once perceived as - and admired for being - a loving and embracing family business are freefall plummeting in my estimation deeper every day.

  • ppw3o6rppw3o6r Great BritainPosts: 2,270MI6 Agent
    edited December 2021

    GEORGE "SCROOGE” LAZENBY could NEVER be "the other fella!" because Sir Sean Thomas Connery cared about others!

    https://www.facebook.com/john.reynolds.338211/posts/10218722812694264


    Received this today. George was my last hope to reignite the story in the media. When Anders initially replied he wanted to know what my offer was? (see actual text below) and then he'd take it from there. I offered to dedicate the exhibit with an engraved brass plaque to Mr Lazenby. Quote "The weapons recovery and this exhibit would not have been possible without the generous support of Mr George Lazenby". I believe now that by "my offer" he meant George would require payment for his services? If Anders had said George requires for example £500 to put his name to the appeal? I’d have been shocked but I’d have paid it because quite frankly after what I’ve lost it would have been worth it. I guess not giving a damn about anyone else is universal now even at this time of year when the more fortunate should be thinking of others who are less fortunate than they!


    Hi John. Thanks for your message. Drop me an email at anders@xxxxxxxx and tell me how you want George to be involved and what the offer for him is and we'll take it from there. Thanks


    Perhaps him not giving a damn either would be a good story for the media? If nothing else he has lost a long standing fan today!

    Hi John,

     

    Thanks for your emails.

     

    I’m afraid this is of no interest for George to be involved with. Sorry.

     

    Best,

    Anders

     

    Anders Frejdh Talent Management AB

    CEO – Manager of George Lazenby

  • Smithers500Smithers500 Spectre IslandPosts: 1,341MI6 Agent

    Disappointing to read this, no skin off his nose to attach his name to the initiative.

    I still think your best bet is to get David Zaritsky or another high profile Bond social media/influencer to back the campaign first, probably see the celebrities jump on this if they think there’s a large audience.

    Japanese proverb say, "Bird never make nest in bare tree".
  • MANDY1MANDY1 TISPosts: 2,608MI6 Agent

    Very Sorry to see this Donk, I feel your pain.

    So, Bondstars have not replied regarding Deborah Moore..yet? at all?

    What about other Bond celebrities for the media campaign like Jane Seymour, Gloria Hendry, Beatrice Libert, Joanna Lumley, Irka Bochenko?

    Knowing who to trust is Everything in this business.

    TIS - "The moment you think you got it figured - you're wrong"

    Formerly known as Teppo
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,416Chief of Staff

    Unfortunately I had a horrible feeling George would only get involved if money was on the table…it’s not the first time I’ve heard such stories…😕

    YNWA 97
  • Dodge101Dodge101 Posts: 55MI6 Agent

    He needs to find a journalist who works for one of the major tabloid papers who happens to be a Bond fan and tell them the story of the guns being stolen and how the owner has reached out to many who have been personally involved with the movies and the companies involved in making the movies and none of them seem to give a damn and that they will only give a damn if they are paid too.

    Has anything been asked of the official bond fan club? There is also the very popular 007 museum in Sweden. Cannot notices or flyers be handed out to visitors asking them to keep an eye out. There is also a very popular Bond youtuber who does something called the 'Bond Experience'. He has spent years interviewing bond actors and actresses, behind the scenes workers, has visited numerous bond locations. Maybe he could do an episode on the guns. You know, what guns they were, the history behind the guns and their links to the movies.

    Most of the above have their own websites. If the reward is still active, why not ask them to put up posts on their sites explaining about the theft and that their is a reward for information/their return. Has the 007 magazine been approached? they could feature an article in the next edition of their magazine. they could also add something on their website too.

    There are loads and loads of bond fan youtube channels. Instagram has a number also. I am sure there are some on facebook. I am sure if someone was to draw up a 'wanted' poster and asked all these bond social media sites to spread the word out, more and more people would get to hear about the theft and thus it becoming more prominent amongst the public.

  • Smithers500Smithers500 Spectre IslandPosts: 1,341MI6 Agent

    Had a social media ad sent to me today for George watching TiVo through the hols! Obviously he’s got better things to do.

    Japanese proverb say, "Bird never make nest in bare tree".
  • ppw3o6rppw3o6r Great BritainPosts: 2,270MI6 Agent
    edited December 2021

    Thank you for your detailed responses. The issue is this, the media have no interest in taking the story any further if a known personality such as Mr Craig, Brosnan, Dalton, Lazenby or Ms Berry or Ms D.Moore or someone from the Bond family openly support it along the lines of "John or Jane Doe would like to offer a reward for information leading to the recovery of the Stolen James Bond guns". Although I have not asked anyone who I have approached by Facebook or otherwise to put their hand in their pocket to fund said reward including EON. As a "nobody" to the media there is no story without said support. Remember in March 2020, this story was worldwide news because the only other story running was the pandemic and Boris's Dad not wanting to wear a mask in public! The only comment from 007 Magazine was "No one will support your appeal, the guns are gone for good!" Unfortunately the story may now be that “John Doe has no interest in supporting the appeal unless he is paid to do so!" All the pieces posted here have individual links to take you to their Facebook posts for the full story and lack of developments:

    https://www.facebook.com/john.reynolds.338211/posts/10218722812694264

    I may be hitting Youtube again but this time unmasked on 23rd March, the two year anniversary of my life going down the crapper!

  • Dodge101Dodge101 Posts: 55MI6 Agent

    This is why i said you need to find a journalist who is a bond fan because i have read your posts about the media responses and yes they will only be interested if a media entity you will support your case. Surly this issue would interest a journalist bond fan. I know if i was a bond fan and a journalist, I would be writing something and be trying to get my editor to approve it.

    I find it disgusting that the Bond world, basically the movie studios, bond actors and actresses, studio workers, fan sites, bond magazines and some social media bond sites/fan sites have all turned their back on you basically saying 'well, it's your own fault they were stolen, don't expect us to help you'. It's disgusting how you've been treated in my opinion. Just goes to show that when to your face, they love you and respect you but when your backs turned, they don't want anything to do with you. It's the way the world works and i despise it.

    I look at Marcus Rashford and what he did with the school meals for children fiasco. He understood their pain and hurt because he experienced himself as a child so what does he do, he takes time out of his life to do something about it. He uses his influence as footballer at one of the worlds best well known football clubs and forces the government to change their stance on school meals because no body else was going to do it.

    And here you are looking for that same type of person/people to help you, a person/people who understands your pain and hurt and says 'you know what, I am going to do something good, I am going to use my standing in society to help this person, no payment required' and what do you get...nothing.

    I do hope you get somewhere with all of this and the guns eventually turn up.

  • ppw3o6rppw3o6r Great BritainPosts: 2,270MI6 Agent
    edited December 2021

    Just placed on facebook (I'm running out of Bonds!):

    Contact required for actor Timothy Dalton in the hope that the gentleman will be the name/voice to front a media campaign:

    Dear all in facebook land. Does anyone out there know how to contact former James Bond and classical actor Mr Timothy Dalton? who I believe captured Ian Fleming's Bond better than any other actor on the silver screen.

    I am hoping that after rejections from EON Productions and George Lazenby (which I still can't believe!) that Mr Dalton may consider putting his name to a media campaign to recover decommissioned and therefore "non-weapons" James Bond guns stolen in a home invasion on 23rd March 2020. Of course I understand in the current climate that weapons are regarded as not PC especially in the light of the unfortunate incident with actor Alec Baldwin however that was a live firearm with live ammunition which had no business being on or near a movie set in any country!

    We currently have three pieces from Mr Dalton's tenure as 007 for the exhibition however it would be wonderful to be able to include the stunt PPK presentation pistol which Mr Dalton was presented with upon completion of his first cinematic outing as James Bond in 1987's The Living Daylights should the gentleman in question still have said piece?


  • 72897289 Beau DesertPosts: 1,691MI6 Agent

    I don’t think there is anyplace in mainstream media where firearms are viewed in a positive light. The celebrities mentioned here are vocal supporters of anti-gun politics. I can’t imagine them wanting to support the effort to recover these props regardless of their participation in the films in which they appeared. Even Big Tam was very vocally anti-gun. The recent Alec Baldwin mess hasn’t done anything to enhance the reputation of “movie guns”. Seems to me that is a very steep up hill journey.

    At least Lazenby might have helped if enough cash was on the line. He looks plenty happy to pose with cap pistols or maybe even a squirt gun, but it’s not like he is on the A list.

    Since the substantial reward has failed to flush out the stolen props, it seems a reasonable conclusion that no one has them. As The only recovery had been tossed into the “wilderness” to rust away, I might institute another search of that area with a good quality metal detector. Seems like there is a better than even chance the slide and barrel of the Llama could be found, maybe the other props as well …

  • Dodge101Dodge101 Posts: 55MI6 Agent

    It would be interesting to talk to the police who investigated the theft to see the processes they went through in investigating the theft because I cannot help to keep thinking 'why this collection'? because there are much more valuable Bond movie screen used items out there in the hands of private collectors and none of these have been flagged up as being stolen, so why these guns? yes they had value but not as much as some Bond collectables. The guns have no value on the used scrap metal market when you consider there is much better accessible metals out there for a someone to steal. If they were stolen to order, why haven't we heard about other much more valuable Bond items being stolen to order?

    I wonder if the police considered that the theft was an act of revenge by someone the owner knew, an act of jealousy by someone the owner knew or as a way to get back at the owner for something the owner did that was disliked or disapproved.

  • MANDY1MANDY1 TISPosts: 2,608MI6 Agent

    As Donk has said, burglars weren't after the prop guns....Bastards were about to steal his Aston.

    Knowing who to trust is Everything in this business.

    TIS - "The moment you think you got it figured - you're wrong"

    Formerly known as Teppo
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    edited December 2021

    It would be interesting to talk to the police who investigated the theft to see the processes they went through in investigating the theft because I cannot help to keep thinking 'why this collection'? because there are much more valuable Bond movie screen used items out there in the hands of private collectors and none of these have been flagged up as being stolen

    Although there is the most famous Bond prop of all -the DB5- which was stolen twenty years ago!

    Neither Eon nor anyone from the films have become involved in the search for that as far as I've seen, I may have missed if they have. It remains a horrible situation, I'm sorry to hear you haven't got any further with it, John.

  • Dodge101Dodge101 Posts: 55MI6 Agent

    I thought there was recent news articles that said the car had been found in one of the Arab states. Or am I getting confused with another famous stolen car?

  • Smithers500Smithers500 Spectre IslandPosts: 1,341MI6 Agent

    Be interested to see how much money George would want to support this initiative, if that’s his motivating factor.

    As the reward doesn’t seem to have worked, would it not be possible to use this as a fee to get some celebrity backing?

    Japanese proverb say, "Bird never make nest in bare tree".
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent

    From memory I think they said they had a lead which suggests it's there, but I don't think it's been recovered as far as I know.

  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,416Chief of Staff

    And with that said could we please keep to the actual topic of this thread…thanks.

    YNWA 97
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