When Moriarty asked "Is that a British Army L9A1 in your
pocket or are you just pleased to see me?" A man with the
deduction reasoning of Sherlock Holmes should instead have pointed
out "WRONG. It's a L106A1".
We'll put it down to script verses reality, but the gun John
Watson carries is not a Browning L9A1, the former standard issue
sidearm of the British Army, but a Sig Sauer P226R, British Army
equipment designation L106A1, issued to soldiers serving in
Afghanistan.
Both weapons have been superceeded as standard issue sidearms
for the British Army, with an announcement on January 11 2013 that
the Glock 17 Gen
4 [British Army equipment designation TBA] will be issued as an
forces wide replacement.
Completely restricted from sale or private ownership in the
United Kingdom, John is in apparent illegal possession of his
handgun despite being a former member of the UK armed services.
The gun seen onscreen is actually a gas powered airsoft replica
produced by Tokyo Marui, itself completely restricted from general
sale in the United Kingdom, but obtainable with permit for film and
television production.