Tomorrow Never Dies Prop Grenade / Device

james _bond_ fan · June 2020

Hi all,

I have managed to obtain an original Prop grenade from TND. Same style as the one exhibited at the BOND in MOTION exhibition.

I’m looking to create a display with it in a glass jar... is anyone aware of any replicas of the detonation device from Bond’s Omega? I guess I’d need something like that and the red topped capsule that is taped around the jar. Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

UNCLE27 · June 2020

Nice find!
By no means accurate, I made my own prop of this as I liked that part of the film showing Bond using his initiative.
Couldn’t find much to go on so I used a quartz watch movement, attached a crown and I think I used a pen refill for the detonator.

james _bond_ fan · June 2020

Thanks UNCLE27! Appreciate your input...great mockup!

james _bond_ fan · December 2020

Watched this again and always failed to notice Bond throws a grenade in the opening sequence, about 5 mins in! Though unfortunately not so clear without HD/BLU-RAY.

Anyone that can help provide a more detailed screen grab of the below? B-)

Asp9mm · December 2020

The one he throws is the Dunhill lighter. He has magnetic ones too, but he doesn’t throw those.

james _bond_ fan · December 2020

Asp9mm wrote:

The one he throws is the Dunhill lighter. He has magnetic ones too, but he doesn’t throw those.

He throws the Dunhill before this scene. This is after the rapid gunfire when he takes hold of the jet cockpit. It’s only on screen for a split second before the shot changes.

Asp9mm · December 2020

Maybe he does throw the magnetic ones as well then, I’ll check it out.

james _bond_ fan · December 2020

Thanks! I have the first call sheet number 1 for the scene which calls for ‘grenades’ on the second page. Attaching some pics of the grenade prop I have that I know was used in production. The condition pushes to it being used in an outdoor sequence. I guess Bond wouldn’t need to throw a magnetic variant.

Asp9mm · December 2020

That one was used as set dressing in the background as part of the arms bazaare Not used by Bond, he was only armed with his collapsable Sterling, Dunhill grenade and the two flat grenades. All designed to be compact and flat to fit into the large outer pockets on his jacket. The flat grenades had the magnetic feature, but he could throw them as well. As he never picks up anything else, it makes sense that the grenade he throws would be the other compact one he had in his pocket. There are plenty of cut scenes showing those two grenades and him taking his Sterling out of his pocket and unfolding and extending it. It’s sad that these scenes didn’t make it into the final cut, as the weapons seem to just appear out of nowhere in his hands, and the armours spent ages making and modifying that gun, it’s one of the coolest gadget weapons made for Bond, and we hardly see it.

Asp9mm · December 2020

I’ve just rewatched that part. It’s his second compact flat grenade that he throws. I’ve only ever seen a soft rubber stunt version of this prop on the market. Which is what he throws there. I don’t think they made that many close up hero versions. Someone made some replicas many years back though. Maybe it should be revisited.

james _bond_ fan · December 2020

Interesting. Thanks very much for the detailed response? Could you get me a screengrab? Though not the same it would be good to display alongside. I don’t see any grenades in the bazar so maybe not shown on screen. The bomb device (one of which has previously been displayed by Eon) holds the same style grenade. However, from screen grabs it’s appears to be a variant. Maybe used for test shots etc. Not so sure...

Asp9mm · December 2020

Your grenade is an East European or Soviet era grenade, the one Bond uses in the jar is a US issue frag grenade. Still in use.

The jar prop EON displays as the one from TND, actually isn’t. It’s a replica and they use the wrong type of grenade and jar. They’ve put a Hungarian grenade in there.

Here’s a good shot of the one used on screen..

james _bond_ fan · December 2020

Done a bit more hunting... it’s actuallyBritish made Kilgore used by the US and NATO. There’s actually a yellow stripe around the neck which was then recovered over in green paint. This sure is interesting! Makes you wonder if it was used in other films too.

B549WUU · January 19

Trying to recreate the watch detonator from TND and in conversation with a PCB maker at the moment. Thanks to Ed for helpful reference material. Does anyone know what is on the underside of the device as we only ever see the LED side but presumebly the components to work the LED are on the underside of the PCB. I know what circuit is needed (chip, capacitors etc) but struggling to understand if these were somehow sandwiched within the device of standing proud on the underside which would affect the functionality (not that I intend to cut a wedge out of a seamaster watch. I know someone made a replica of this a few years ago with a flashing LED but have struggled to locate on AJB - thanks

Quentin Quigley · January 19

The detached detonator chip added to the jar - I have just one image of the back of it. It doesn't show green circuitry, but similar details. If that's what you're after, shoot us a PM.

Bond Collectors' Weekends · January 19

Have a "blast" with your new prop!

I purchased a TLD grenade once, screen matched to the better looking ones from the Afghanistan fight, but it got lost in the shipping from overseas and had to be refunded. 😢

PPK 7.65mm · February 19

@james _bond_ fan: I had long wondered what type of grenade Bond used in making the IED onboard the Stealth boat. For a long time, I had thought that it was either an American produced M26/M61 or possibly a British L2A2 (which apart from the exterior markings looks very similar to the M26.) Thank you for researching this prop and sharing it with the group. It would not surprise me if this prop was reused in other movies or tv shows besides Bond. From what I understand of how prop companies work, they like to reuse props as much as they can.

Quentin Quigley · February 19

That grenade model acquired in the OP would be painted black and used by the Parahawk pilots in the following film.

Tomorrow Never Dies Prop Grenade / Device

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