O/T Bic pen shot out of Win mod 94...?

[tallyho]

This won't be for the youngsters on the forum, but does anybody remember, back in the sixties, a TV commercial where a Bic pen was shot out of a model 94 Winchester into a pine board to show how durable the pen tip was? The plastic body shattered, but it was clear that the tip  "... keeps on writing.." 

For years I have wondered what was the caliber of that Bic pen, and did they just drop the pen down the barrel, and what was the charge, or was it just a primer...? Curious for any info about this stunt? Anybody...?

I was just cleaning up my desk and disposed of a bunch of pens (none of them Bics) and it reminded me of the commercial.

I suppose they could have done it with a Topper in 30/30 (if that was the caliber used - maybe it was 32 Win) but a Model 94 was much more recognizeable.

(Yes, I added that last sentence so I could justify this being in the NEF/H&R section) 

Cheers
Kerry

[quickdtoo]

Did a little search, didn't find reference to the ad you speak of, but did find this...

Tim

http://www.thepenguy.com/resources/bic_pens_history.htm

[tallyho]

Do you remember the ad?

[quickdtoo]

Who me????Nope, not me, no sir, that musta been before my time!!!

[canon6]

I do remember the ad,but I do not remember the weapon used   Doug

[canon6]

I found that it was A Waterman ad company from late 1959 or early 1960.The print ad only calls it a gun   HTH  Doug

[cattleskinner]

The ad was a "bit" before my time, but I do know that a bic pen will launch about 5-6 ft. out of a 9mm pistol, maybe that will give you guys a bit of an idea. 

~~Amos

[wgr]

wow  if the atf finds out about this ill have to get a permit  to carry my bic

[tallyho]

The ad was a "bit" before my time, but I do know that a bic pen will launch about 5-6 ft. out of a 9mm pistol, maybe that will give you guys a bit of an idea. 

~~Amos

is that with just a primer, or... ?
and can you still fill out ATF forms with it afterward?

 

[quickdtoo]

wow  if the atf finds out about this ill have to get a permit  to carry my bic

Naw, it's under .50 cal!!!

[mt3030]

....does anybody remember, back in the sixties, a TV commercial where a Bic pen was shot out of a model 94 Winchester into a pine board to show how durable the pen tip was?....

Yep, I remember the ad. In fact, they showed the pen filler still penetrating the board as it wrote. Do not remember anything about the rifle used. Are you going to re-inact the ad? With a Handi of course!!

I think the way to go would be to use a sabot to keep the pen off the rifling, maybe in a larger caliber rifle? First try with just a primer. Then over a light charge of pistol powder. Like in a squibb load.

[tallyho]

Yep, I remember the ad. In fact, they showed the pen filler still penetrating the board as it wrote. Do not remember anything about the rifle used. Are you going to re-inact the ad? With a Handi of course!!

I think the way to go would be to use a sabot to keep the pen off the rifling, maybe in a larger caliber rifle? First try with just a primer. Then over a light charge of pistol powder. Like in a squibb load.

I'm glad somebody remembers Wally, I was beginning to think it was a figment of my imagination! And starting to wonder what else in my memory bank might be just imaginary 

I wasn't actually planning to re-enact it ... but I could probably talk myself into it... especially that I'm about to I get my hands on another 30/30

Cheers
Kerry

[Mattkc]

Didn't that ad run just before the Timex watch strapped to a outboard motor prop?

[tallyho]

Yup, I remember that Timex ad too! They did a bunch of different things to the watches. Their punch line was "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking."

[cattleskinner]

Nope, no primers or anything, just put the bic in the barrel, and point slightly upwards so that the pen is against the firing pin, and just the power of the hammer falling is enough to launch the pen a little ways.

Amos

[tallyho]

Thanks Amos. But in the ad, there was smoke and a flash, and the pen actually went into a piece of what appeard to be pine board. The plastic barrel of the pen shattered from impact, and the ball and the ink tube were then used to write on a piece of paper afterward.

Not so important that this be repeated, but like I said; for years I have just been curious how it was done.

[MSP Ret]

Well Kerry it sounds to me like a recreation is in order. I also suggest you start with just a primer first....<><....

[tallyho]

I could talk myself into it... I suppose.
I'll see what happens when the 30/30 arrives.

[stimpylu32]

And you people think i"m nuts for painting gun stocks .         

[tallyho]

I don't think you're nuts stimpy, just "outside the box" creative....  and I have pictures to prove it! - check this out: http://www.handiholic.com/Outside%20the%20Box.html - and there's more to come