Product Details
FORMERLY THE PROPERTY OF SIR SEAN CONNERY (FOLLOWING THE 1967 JAMES BOND FILM 'YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE')
MBASSOCIATES
A PRESENTATION 13MM 'MARK I MODEL B GYROJET' ROCKET HANDGUN, serial no. B407,
pressed alloy construction with antique nickel finish (some patination) and 'black pearl' grips, the left side engraved 'SEAN CONNERY' and with moulded makers details 'MBASSOCIATES MARK I MODEL B SAN RAMON, CALIF. 13MM GYROJET', and 'PATENT PENDING', manual safety, spring loaded grip magazine, in its walnut presentation case with 11 inert 'microjet' projectiles, ten arranged in a wooden roundel with central removable bronze medallion, one side with a bust circumferenced 'ROBERT HUTCHINGS GODDARD 1882 - 1945' and signed 'Evon Hebel', the reverse with a depiction of a rocket apparatus entitled 'FIRST ROCKET MARCH 16 1926' with motto 'THE DREAM OF YESTERDAY IS THE HOPE OF TODAY AND THE REALITY OF TOMORROW', circumferenced by 'IN HONOR OF ROBERT H. GODDARD BY ACT OF CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 1959. IN RECOGNITION OF HIS PIONEERING RESEARCH IN ROCKET PROPULSION', the interior with an MBA plaque (detached) and red velveteen lining (some damage and mothing), the lid outer with plaque inscribed 'MBA GYROJET ROCKET HANDGUN, the underside with a label denoting 'SOLID AMERICAN WALNUT'
Provenance: The gun is accompanied by a letter of provenance from the vendor confirming that the gun had been gifted to her employer by Sean Connery, who had been both a friend of Mr Connery's and his accountant/ financial advisor. The gun was subsequently given to the vendor by her employer upon his retirement in 1976 in recognition of her faithful service - especially with regard to 'looking after' Mr Connery in her employer's absence and the presentation quality of his accounts, which had been her sole responsibility at the time.
Literature: In a contemporary advertisement for the Gyrojet handgun in the 1968 Shooter's Bible, the Presentation model is listed as follows: 'Each Presentation Model is certified by the manufacturer to be one of the first thousand rocket handguns ever made. Each pistol is engraved and serially numbered, mounted in an attractive walnut case with 10 dummy rockets and a bronze medal honoring rocket pioneer Robert H Goddard.' with a list price of $250 (standard price was $175 for the antique nickel version)
Other Notes: Please note this Lot is sold under Section 5 (1)(ae) of the 1968 Firearms Act
Please click HERE to view Terms & Conditions.
Estimate £3,000-5,000
S5 - Sold as a Section 5 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act
Unless prior arrangement has been made, two weeks after the Sealed bid sale, all Section 5 (and Section 7.1 / 7.3) items will be moved to a Section 5 carriers where storage charges will be incurred.
Goods will not be released until all outstanding charges have been met. Collection will be by arrangement.