John Steed was the main character in The Avengers, a detective/spy television series in the 1960s. His character is played by Patrick Macnee.
He always takes a large brandy in social situations, keeps an admirable stiff upper lip, and wears at all times a steel lined bowler which he uses to thump bad guys over the head with, as well as an umbrella with a sword and camera built in.
He usually has a female counterpart (who I would hate to call a sidekick because she is far too important) to work (and flirt) with. The most memorable of which is Mrs. Emma Peel.