The Combined Military Services Museum (CMSM) in Maldon, Essex, UK, has opened a new collection of artefacts from the secret service agent who is believed to have been the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond.

The agent – Captain Mason – had a licence to kill and advised Fleming on weapons used in the Secret Service. He began in the army as a 16-year-old but was transferred to the Special Operations Executive and later the SAS before being trained to work undercover as an active measures officer for MI5 and MI6.

Weaponry and gadgets on show at the museum provided by Mason include dagger shoes, a cigarette pistol, a packet of cigarettes with a hidden camera, a coin with a concealed blade, a pen which doubles as a gun, a pipe which conceals a gun and a tube of lipstick, nicknamed the ‘kiss of death’ which also disguises a gun.

Captain Mason and his wife Prue worked for MI5 and MI6 from the mid-1940s on a number of operations all over the world. Both were classified as Officially Deniable, so, if captured, the British government would deny they existed. Now in their 80s, they are believed to be living in a secret location abroad.

CMSM is a state-registered charity, responsible for displaying the artefacts of British military history to the public.

Boasting a comprehensive range of weapons, from swords and ancient 15th century guns to anti-aircraft weapons and missiles, the primary aim of the museum is to educate the present and future generations about Britain’s military history. Details: www.cmsm.co.uk