An anonymous bidder paid more than 10 times the estimated $22,500-$30,000 (£15,000-£20,000) which the Walther air pistol was expected to fetch at Christie's in London on Thursday (25Nov10).

Connery only held the gun as 007 for the publicity shots for the 1963 film after a crew member forgot to bring the secret agent's weapon of choice - a Walther PPK semi-automatic. The gun actually belonged to the photographer.

A spokesperson for the auction house says, ""The Bond franchise has stood the test of time.""