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Dan   04-21-2009, 05:19 PM
#1
I have to say this is probably me putting two things together that I love which, like as not, have absolutely nothing to do with one another. But I couldn't resist posting here to ask FPW himself.

In the fifth book of the Repairman Jack series, Jack gives up his favourite sidearm (the infamous Semmerling) for a gun that his supplier (Abe) thinks is better for him.

In the fifth book of the James Bond series, James gives up his favourite sidearm (the beretta) for a gun that his supplier (M, or Q if you want to be specific) thinks is better for him.

Coincidence, FPW? I know a lot of people, being Bond movie buffs instead of Bond novel buffs, would miss the reference, but it's something I noticed on my most recent re-read.
Tony H   04-21-2009, 06:05 PM
#2
I don't know if there is anything to this or not. I think the main reason Paul decided to do away with the Semmerling is that, contrary to earlier beliefe, it was discovered that the sidearm was not a semi-automatic weapon but a manual repeating double action pistol. This posed some issue for Jack as manually loading each shot could cause some problems in a situation where rapid fire was a necessity.

Of course there may be more to it, but only Paul knows for sure.

Welcome to the board by the way. I see it is your third post, but I haven't seen ya before.
This post was last modified: 04-21-2009, 06:08 PM by Tony H.

“I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum.”
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Brian   04-21-2009, 06:49 PM
#3
Tony is correct. While a Semmerling is a nice weapon, a semi-auto fits Jack's needs much better.

And add my welcome to the board.

There is no wise man without fault
Dan   04-21-2009, 06:55 PM
#4
Absolutely. I'm just wondering if it was a coincidental timing, or if he put it off one book (or some such thing) to coincide with his Dr No... so to speak.

And thanks! I'm still a bit of a newbie but I'm getting settled.
Alvin Fox   04-21-2009, 06:56 PM
#5
AsMoral Wrote:I don't know if there is anything to this or not. I think the main reason Paul decided to do away with the Semmerling is that, contrary to earlier beliefe, it was discovered that the sidearm was not a semi-automatic weapon but a manual repeating double action pistol. This posed some issue for Jack as manually loading each shot could cause some problems in a situation where rapid fire was a necessity.

The best example would be in Conspiracies. It made for a great suspenseful scene though.
Brian   04-21-2009, 06:58 PM
#6
One thing I've found, your question may get answered by a few of us, then you may find an answer by The Man himself. A very cool thing indeed.

There is no wise man without fault
Dan   04-21-2009, 07:02 PM
#7
After reading through the boards for a while, I can definitely say that FPW is the most active author (with his fans, that is) that I've seen.
fpw   04-21-2009, 07:54 PM
#8
Well, it's like this: I gave Jack the Semmerling in The Tomb because it was such a cool weapon and I never intended to come back to him. But as I got into the series I realized that a signature weapon was very un-Jack and counterproductive if you want to remain invisible. Same with driving around in a Corvair. So the Semmerling (and Ralph the Corvair) had to go.

As for Bond, I was never much of a fan of the films (a little too self-consciously arch to be taken seriously) and so I never read the books. I do like the last 2 though.



FPW
FAQ
"It means 'Ask the next question.' Ask the next question, and the one that follows that, and the one that follows that. It's the symbol of everything humanity has ever created." Theodore Sturgeon.
Turanthor   04-21-2009, 09:40 PM
#9
I love the Bond books Dan. I am at the point in the series where it is just a collection of short stories, For Your Eyes Only i think.

I just love Bond. No other character has the capacity for instantaneous destruction as Bond. It is like he is most at home in a scenario where he needs to escape, but does not care one whit about collateral damage to those around him. The end of Quantum of Solace was a good example of that!
Dan   04-22-2009, 10:00 AM
#10
Thanks for the reply FPW! I didn't really think it would be the case, but I just had to ask.

Turanthor: The books are so much better than the movies, but they are really dated (some of the completely politically incorrect phrasology is prime evidence of that); that said, I really love the movies (in their own campy way), and I think perhaps that my love of Jack is an offshoot of my love for the real Bond - that of the novels, not the movies. Though the "book Bond" has been shown a lot more in the more recent films.
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