"Archer" is a spy/workplace comedy centered on Agent Sterling Archer, aka "Duchess." He's regarded as "the world's most dangerous spy," despite his narcissism, his alcoholism, his irresponsibility, and many, many, unresolved mother issues. The show premiered in 2009, followed by a full first season in 2010, with a full season in 2011. The shows features the voices of H. Jon Benjamin as Sterling Archer, Aisha Tyler as Lana Kane, Chris Parnell as Cyril Figgis, Jessica Walter as Malory Archer, Judy Greer as Cheryl/Carol/Carina/Cristal, and Amber Nash as Pam. It was created by Adam Reed, who had previously made "Frisky Dingo" and "Sealab 2021" along with Matt Thompson, who is also the executive producer. Reed also has written every single episode, which allows the series to have ongoing in-jokes, like Lana's freakishly large hands, Archer's obsession with Burt Reynolds, and Malory's promiscuity.
Many details about the show are deliberately fuzzy, especially the time period that it is set. The clothing, furnishing and cars would indicate that it is set in the sixties, but modern cell phones and pop culture references ("Call Kenny Loggins, because you're in the Danger Zone,") would indicate that the show is set in more recent times, despite the fact that the Soviet Union still exists. Reed has admitted that he had intended the show to be set in the sixties, citing the influence of "Mad Men," but wanted cell phones because he didn't want to constantly have to have the characters find pay phones. Cultural attitudes are also more modern, with Malory citing diversity requirements, and openly gay characters.
Sterling Archer's primary sidearm is a Walther PPK. In the early episodes, the pistol lacked detail, but by the end of season 2, there was such much detail, the serial number was visible.
M1911A1 pistols appeared in season 2. It is the sidearm of Ray Gillette. Archer uses it in "Placebo Effect," mainly as a tribute to Magnum P.I. None of the M1911s in the series appear to have safeties, however.
Manfred has a Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer as his sidearm, using it to shoot Torvald Utne (not the Olympic shot-putter) in "Killing Utne." It is revealed in flashbacks that Malory Archer also used one when she was a field agent ("Double Deuce.)
Woodhouse's old World War I squadron mate brings by a Webley Mk VI that had belonged to his old friend, Captain Reggie Thistleton in "Double Deuce." This is one of the few firearms referred to by name on this show. This Webley is later used to knock Archer out.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingWebley Mk. VI - .455 WebleyError creating thumbnail: File missingThe thickness of the barrel makes it appear to be a Webley Mk. IV, but Mk. IVs weren't introduced until after World War I.Error creating thumbnail: File missing"Oh, I'll just yank his pants off, splash a lot of scotch and women's underthings about, and then tell him he slipped and fell chasing a terrified Asian prostitute out onto the patio. It's not the first time I've bashed his head in and had to cover my tracks."
SIG-Sauer P220 series
Lana Kane carries a pair of SIG-Sauer P220 series pistols in a shoulder rig, but has never actually used them, so it's impossible to determine exactly what type of SIG-Sauer pistol or pistols she has.
Since retiring from the field, Malory Archer's primary handgun is a Smith & Wesson Model 629, tricked out with a scope and laser. She sleeps with it by her beside in "Dial M for Mother." She mentions that it is a .44 Magnum during a flashback in "Pipeline Fever."
Archer's rival, Barry Dillon, carries a nickel Desert Eagle Mark VII, which he talks TO, not WITH. Lana Kane also uses a nickel Desert Eagle on occasion.
When he doesn't have to worry about concealment (and even when he does) Archer carries a Sawed-off double barreled shotgun that he "borrowed" from Woodhouse in "Pipeline Fever." Woodhouse is also shown using (presumably) the same gun in flashbacks.
Lana Kane is often seen with a pair of TEC-9's, which would be a good fit for her Johnny Bench-ian, steam-shovelly, Truckasaurus hands. According to the dialogue, they are TEC-9s, and fire full auto, but lack the sling rings of a TEC-9. Later in season 2, she can be seen carrying them in her shoulder rig. Archer takes one in "Swiss Miss."
The MP40 is the SMG seen most on "Archer." ODIN agents use it almost exclusively, as do gay interior decorators/assassins for hire Charles and Rudy in "Honeypot."
Cyril channels Private Pyle from Full Metal Jacket with an M14 after Lana decides to sleep with all the men at ISIS as a form of revenge in "Dial M for Mother."
An M21 rifle is seen in a crate during a flashback to the last moments of Agents Ruiz, Pak, and Mgumbe (all of which recycle the same background) in "Diversity Hire."
A German sniper sees Woodhouse and Reggie after Woodhouse braves No Man's Land to save Reggie in "Double Deuce." The bolt is on the wrong side of the rifle.
Archer lodges a Mk 2 hand grenade into the anus of an Irish gangster to persuade him to divulge the location of his boss in "Placebo Effect."
Mk 2 "Pineapple" High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenadeError creating thumbnail: File missingThis is a shot from Archer's suit up scene earlier in the episode, but there's a good possibility that this is the actual grenade Archer sticks in the guy's butt.
Miscellaneous
".25 cal Chekhov"
This is the pistol that Archer gives to Cyril in "Training Day." Archer keeps one in his underwear. This might be what evolved into the PPK, as "Training Day" was the pilot. The name comes from the literary technique "Chekhov's gun," which comes into play later in this episode.
The ISIS armory has a large collection of weaponry on its walls, much of it accurately rendered, except for scale. The Sa. Vz.61 Skorpion for example, is ludicrously large.
Scaling, as seen in the armory shots above, used to be a problem, especially in the early episodes.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingArcher looks at the equipment that Krieger issued for Cyril in the pilot, "Training Day." There's what appears to be an out of scale P226, which, compared to the poison pen, (and the cap which slips off for like, no reason), might be only four inches long.
