The Man from U.N.C.L.E. - Season 1

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. premiered in the fall of 1964. Created with the help of Ian Fleming and envisioned as a television version of James Bond, the original title was to be Ian Fleming's Solo but this was soon halted by legal action by James Bond producers Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli, who objected to the use of Fleming's name in the title and the name Napoleon Solo, as "Solo" had been a minor character in Goldfinger. In the ensuing legal settlement, the title was changed, but the character name stayed, with the title changed to The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The name of the antagonists also went through several revisions before settling on THRUSH, an acronym that was never officially defined during the run of the series.
As both titles suggested, the show was about one agent, Napoleon Solo, played by Robert Vaughn, but fans responded well to Solo's fellow UNCLE agent Illya Kuryakin, played by David McCallum, and they became a duo, although early episodes still used Kuryakin sparingly, if at all. That McCallum was able to stay on the show at all was a happy accident, as NBC executives had called for him to be replaced after viewing the original pilot. The executives had specified someone who's name had started with the letter K. Norman Felton thought this mean Will Kukuva, who played Mr. Allison (later changed to Mr. Waverly). It wasn't until later that it was revealed that the executives had mean Kuryakin, but by then it was too late. 
The original pilot was fleshed out into the feature To Trap a Spy with scenes later used for the episode "The Four-Steps Affair" (S01E21). "The Four-Steps Affair" was also used to flesh out the episode "The Double Affair" (S01E08) into the feature The Spy with My Face.
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= UNCLE Special =
The most famous weapon to come out of the series, or possibly any series, is the "UNCLE Special" issued to agents Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum). With an attachable stock, scope, and barrel extension, the pistol quickly turns into a carbine. The producers were looking for a versatile and distinctive weapon to have on their show, one that could be adapted as the plot required. 
== 1934 Mauser Pocket Pistol ==
The first attempt at the UNCLE Special was based on a 1934 Mauser Pocket Pistol. It was introduced in the second episode, as the pilot had Solo carrying a Luger P08. The Mauser variant only lasted one episode however, as the pistol was too small for all of the attachments, it did not photograph well, and even worse, didn't handle blanks well. There were continuity errors throughout the second episode, as Solo switched to a Walther P38 whenever he had to fire his weapon. They would show up sporadically through the season. 
=== Trivia ===
==Walther P38==
As the Mauser had been unable to cycle blanks, the armorers had to borrow Walther P38s from the nearby Combat! set. A bigger pistol firing reliable 9mm blanks, the P38 was a logical replacement for the smaller, .32 caliber Mauser. Eventually, six UNCLE guns were produced at the cost of $1500 apiece, although only two of them were full upgraded, with shoulder stock, scope, barrel extension, and even full auto. While the modifications rendered the guns incapable of firing real rounds, the full auto modification caught the attention of the Treasury department, which fined the studio $2000. 
===Trivia===
Each of the UNCLE specials bears the last initial of its owner. 
Like with the Mauser-based UNCLE carbine, Solo carries the attachments for his Walther-based carbine in a OWB pack. 
= Handguns =
== Luger P08 ==
Napoleon Solo's handgun in the pilot, prior to the introduction of the UNCLE specials, was a Luger P08. It is seen in the hands of various characters throughout the season. 
===Special===
The original pilot "Solo" was shot in color. 
== M1911A1 ==
Illya Kuryakin is armed with an M1911A1 in his brief appearance in the pilot. It is seen in the hands of various characters throughout the season. 
===Special===
The original pilot "Solo" was shot in color. 
== Walther P38 ==
Various characters are seen with unmodified Walther P38s throughout the season. 
===Special===
The original pilot "Solo" was shot in color. 
== Iver Johnson revolver ==
A snub-nosed, nickel-plated Iver Johnson Revolver is seen in Gracie Ladovan's (Victoria Shaw) handbag in "The Vulcan Affair" (S01E01). Angelique (Janine Gray) has a blued revolver in "The Deadly Games Affair" (S01E05).
===Special===
The original pilot "Solo" was shot in color. 
== Colt Detective Special ==
Various characters are seen with Colt Detective Specials throughout the series.
===Special===
The original pilot "Solo" was shot in color. 
== Smith & Wesson Model 10 ==
Various characters are seen with Smith & Wesson Model 10s throughout the series.
===Special===
The original pilot "Solo" was shot in color. 
== Colt Model 1903/1908 Pocket Hammerless ==
Prime Minister Sekue Ashumen (William Marshall) is armed with a nickel-plated Colt Model 1903/1908 Pocket Hammerless in "The Vulcan Affair" (S01E01).
===Special===
The original pilot "Solo" was shot in color. 
== Mauser C96 ==
Various characters are seen with Mauser C96s throughout the series.
[[Image:UNCLE_0103_C96_02.jpg|thumb|none|500px|A henchman is seen with a Mauser C96] in "The Quadripartite Affair" (S01E03).]]
==Baby Browning==
Nickel-plated Baby Brownings appear throughout the season.
==1934 Mauser Pocket Pistol==
On a few occasions, Solo goes back to carrying the 1934 Mauser Pocket Pistol. These appear to be just plain pistols, with no modifications. 
==Single Action Army==
Cleveland (Gavin MacLeod) carries a Single Action Army in "The Hong Kong Shilling Affair " (S01E24).
==Unknown revolver==
Guards are seen armed with unknown revolvers in "The Fiddlesticks Affair" (S01E16).
= Submachine Guns =
== MP40 ==
Various characters are seen with MP40s throughout the series.
===Special===
The original pilot "Solo" was shot in color. 
== M55 Reising Submachine Gun==
An M55 Reising Submachine Gun is mocked up as an MP40 in one scene. 
==M1928 Thompson==
M1928 Thompsons are seen throughout the season.
= Shotguns =
== Double-barreled Shotgun ==
Henchmen use a Double Barreled Shotgun for a drive-by shooting in "The Quadripartite Affair" (S01E03). A double barreled shogun is passed amongst several characters in "The Gazebo in the Maze Affair" (S01E27).
= Carbines/Rifles =
== M3 Carbine ==
Henchmen are seen with M3 Carbines in "The Iowa-Scuba Affair" (S01E02). Only the rifle and scope are seen. 
== Springfield M1903 ==
Several characters, usually henchmen or guards, are armed with Springfield M1903s throughout the season.
==G.98/40==
Foreign guards are armed with G.98/40 rifles in "The Dove Affair" (S01E12). The name of the country is never mentioned, only that it is in the Balkans.
==Gewehr 1888==
Fasik el Pasad (Paul Stevens) tosses Solo, posing as an arms dealer, a modified Gewehr 1888 to test his knowledge in "The King of Knaves Affair" (S01E13). Solo identifies it as a "Brussels Vengeance rifle, manufactured by the Belgians, under duress, for Hitler", which appears to be the correct answer.
=="THRUSH Carbine"==
THRUSH Carbines are seen halfway through the first season. They resemble the M3 Carbines seen in the first episode, but with custom stocks and scopes.
==Mauser 98 Sporter==
A THRUSH assassin (uncredited) uses what appears to be a Mauser 98 Sporter in "The Yellow Scarf Affair" (S01E17). The mocked up infrared device under the barrel was a Wham-O Air Blaster, a children's toy that was on the market at the time. 
==Unidentified rifle==
An Indian police officer is armed with an unknown rifle/carbine in "The Yellow Scarf Affair" (S01E17).
==M1 Carbine==
Colonel Morgan's troops are armed with M1 Carbines in "The Secret Sceptre Affair" (S01E19). These are equipped with flash hiders, possibly from the M3 Carbine.
==M1 Garand==
A THRUSH agent uses an M1 with anti-UNCLE rifle grenades against Illya on a New York City street in "The Never-Never Affair" (S01E25). Like the THRUSH carbine, the weapon has a THRUSH emblem on the stock.
==Sporterized M1903 Springfield==
James (Michael St. Clair) uses a Sporterized M1903 Springfield in "The Gazebo in the Maze Affair" (S01E27).
=Machine Guns=
==MG42==
MG42 machine guns are seen throughout the season.
==Vickers gun==
Government troops are seen manning a Vickers Gun at a checkpoint in "The Secret Sceptre Affair" (S01E19). 
thumb|none|400px|Vickers gun with ribbed water jacket - .303 British
==MG 34==
THRUSH troopers are seen manning an MG 34 in "The Four Step Affair" (S01E21).
=Other=
==Federal Gas Riot Gun==
Harold Bufferton (John Van Dreelen) fires a Federal Gas Riot Gun mocked up as some sort of rocket launcher from a helicopter in "The Giuoco Piano Affair" (S01E07). UNCLE agents use unmodified gas guns for their intended purpose in "The King of Knaves Affair" (S01E13).
=="Zippo Gun"==
Napoleon Solo reveals that his Zippo lighter is actually a disguised two-shot derringer in "The Giuoco Piano Affair" (S01E07).
==Robot Commando==
Illya is menaced by missile firing THRUSH Robot Commandos in "The Double Affair" (S01E08). The Robot Commando was a 1961 toy that fired plastic missiles from its head.
==Mk 2 hand grenade==
Solo grabs a Mk 2 hand grenade from a crate in "The Double Affair" (S01E08). Solo holds another grenade in "The King of Knaves Affair" (S01E13). Brother Love (Eddie Albert) uses a supposedly magnetic version in "The Love Affair" (S01E26).
==UNCLE incendiary grenade==
Solo and Kuryakin use UNCLE incendiary grenades to destroy a contaminated town in "The Finny Foot Affair" (S01E10).
==Stunt M1 Garand==
Stunt M1 Garand rifles are seen in the hands of guards in "The Dove Affair" (S01E12). Since they are being kicked off a train, rubber stunt rifles replaced the G.98/40s they had earlier in the episode.
==Stunt Revolver==
==Gas Grenade==
Solo uses mocked up gas grenade in "The Fiddlesticks Affair" (S01E16). This appears to be built from the fake Mk 2s above.
=="Laser cannon"==
When informed of an impending strike upon UNCLE headquarters in "The Mad, Mad Tea Party Affair" (S01E18), Solo brings the building's laser beam defenses online. These "lasers" are actually the prop blaster rifles from the 1956 sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet, mounted upside down on a stand. 
==Liquorice Luger==
Mr. Hemingway (Richard Haydn) pulls out what appears to be a Luger P08 to hold off Del Floria (Irving Steinberg) in "The Mad, Mad Tea Party Affair" (S01E18). This turns out to be a candy pistol after he bites off the barrel.
==Concussion grenade==
Captain Ahmed (Paul Lukather) tosses some sort of concussion grenade in "The Secret Sceptre Affair" (S01E19).
==Rocket launcher==
An UNCLE helicopter is armed with a mocked up rocket launcher. The rockets apparently dispense knock-out gas in "The See-Paris-And-Die Affair" (S01E22).
=="Zapper"==
A small pistol-like device is used to deliver a "harmless, hypnotic formula," incapacitating UNCLE agents in "The Brain-Killer Affair" (S01E23)
==M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher==
A THRUSH agent uses an M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher in "The Never-Never Affair" (S01E25)
==Water pistol==
Mandy Stevenson (Barbara Feldon) uses what is later revealed to be a water pistol in "The Never-Never Affair" (S01E25). It appears to be based on a Colt Commander
==Camera gun==
The real Raymond (uncredited) has a gun disguised as a camera in "The Odd Man Affair" (S01E29).
Category:Television
Category:B&W
Category:Espionage