Geoffrey Boothroyd | The archive of Geoffrey Boothroyd (the real life 'Q'), with related material

Geoffrey Boothroyd

Geoffrey Boothroyd's photographic archive

60 original copyright photographs of firearms

[with:]

A selection of books on shooting from his library

[and:]

His bespoke Italian cufflink and tie-pin set with retractable penknives and scissors

[and:]

Two photographic portraits of Boothroyd and photographs of Mrs Boothroyd

THE ARCHIVE OF THE MAN THAT CHOSE BOND'S WEAPON; THE REAL LIFE 'Q'

Firearms specialist Geoffrey Boothroyd first wrote to Fleming in 1956, recommending that he replace James Bond's Beretta ("a lady's gun") with the Walther PPK, and providing vital insights on shoulder holsters. As a result of this, in From Russia, With Love, the Beretta catches in Bond's waistband and prevents him from drawing the gun on Rosa Klebb, with dire consequences. From Dr. No onwards, the Beretta was no more.

Boothroyd's correspondence with Fleming continued, and a mutual admiration grew, leading to the former becoming Fleming's technical advisor on munitions and a proof reader for the rest of the series; Fleming honoured their friendship by creating the character Major Boothroyd, Armourer to the British Secret Service. Boothroyd appears first in Dr. No, and is referred to as 'Q', the gadget master, thereafter.