And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Wonderful photo. Brings back fond memories of the ‘50’s playing Cowboy. I also used to bash rolls of caps against the curb with rocks and hammers. Great sounds and smells.
Yes, that memory of the smell of those caps, seconded only by the day when your dad introduces you to his .22.
The other memory is of that day when you had the bright idea of digging into Dad's toolbox for his hammer and smashing an entire roll of caps just to hear how loud it would be. Hello tinnitus, my old friend.
Key facts about the Pony Boy cap gun: Manufacturer: Esquire Novelty Co. of New York City started producing the guns just before the end of World War II. Design: Reflecting the "Wild West" pop culture of the era, the toy pistols were made of high-quality, die-cast metal with detailed finishes and plastic grips that imitated materials like bone or wood. Operation: The toy gun used roll caps, a long strip of small, mild explosives that would pop and create a puff of smoke when struck by the hammer. Popularity: Pony Boy cap guns were one of the most successful toy guns ever made, benefiting from the popularity of Western-themed television shows like The Lone Ranger and Gunsmoke. Modern versions: Contemporary sellers sometimes offer Pony Boy cap guns or replicas. Under federal law, these must contain the colored markings required for all replica firearms, including a permanently attached orange plug. As a collectible: Vintage Pony Boy cap guns in working condition are sought after by collectors and can be found on online marketplaces like eBay and Ruby Lane.
Shore do...
ReplyDeleteThought for a second it was a Fanner 50.
ReplyDeleteBeat me to it. I also had a Mattel snub nose 38 that fired plastic bullets with "Greenie Stick Em Caps" on the tail end.
DeleteYes! I had a Fanner 50! I took out many bad guys with it. Good times.
ReplyDeleteI have a faint odor of caps being fired.
ReplyDeleteThe memory of that smell immediately hit as soon as I saw the photo.
DeleteWonderful photo. Brings back fond memories of the ‘50’s playing Cowboy. I also used to bash rolls of caps against the curb with rocks and hammers. Great sounds and smells.
DeleteYes, that memory of the smell of those caps, seconded only by the day when your dad introduces you to his .22.
DeleteThe other memory is of that day when you had the bright idea of digging into Dad's toolbox for his hammer and smashing an entire roll of caps just to hear how loud it would be. Hello tinnitus, my old friend.
azlibertarian
What a marvelous, harmless invention, that toy. Early seventies was my time with it or one just like it
ReplyDeleteThat piece of memorabilia is earlier than the 70's
ReplyDeleteKey facts about the Pony Boy cap gun:
ReplyDeleteManufacturer: Esquire Novelty Co. of New York City started producing the guns just before the end of World War II.
Design: Reflecting the "Wild West" pop culture of the era, the toy pistols were made of high-quality, die-cast metal with detailed finishes and plastic grips that imitated materials like bone or wood.
Operation: The toy gun used roll caps, a long strip of small, mild explosives that would pop and create a puff of smoke when struck by the hammer.
Popularity: Pony Boy cap guns were one of the most successful toy guns ever made, benefiting from the popularity of Western-themed television shows like The Lone Ranger and Gunsmoke.
Modern versions: Contemporary sellers sometimes offer Pony Boy cap guns or replicas. Under federal law, these must contain the colored markings required for all replica firearms, including a permanently attached orange plug.
As a collectible: Vintage Pony Boy cap guns in working condition are sought after by collectors and can be found on online marketplaces like eBay and Ruby Lane.
Of course, if want a big noise, you hit that roll of caps with a hammer.
ReplyDeleteyep
DeleteAnd just like the movie guns, it never runs out of "bullets." Or at least, it takes a LOT of trigger pulls. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe smell! And sparks in your face!
ReplyDelete"Pony boy, pony boy, won't you be my pony boy?
ReplyDeleteDon't say no, here we go, ride away with me.
Giddy up giddy up giddy up,
Whoa! My pony boy."
g-kids love this toy. still play with today. getting really hard to find caps for it.
ReplyDeleteLoved mine. The plastic contained caps just wasn't the same
ReplyDelete