Author Topic: Cap Guns Linked to TV Shows  (Read 289 times)

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Offline us920669

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Cap Guns Linked to TV Shows
« on: July 23, 2011, 05:46:20 PM »
There is a great discussion going on about our favorite cowboy shows and I let on that I have a book called Television Cowboys, Gunfighters and Cap Pistols.  There were a huge number of toys put out that were branded to the shows, a few private eyes too.  If anyone wants to know about one of them I'll look it up.  Don't hesitate to ask if you're curious.  The book also has a lot of info on the shows. 

Offline blind ear

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Re: Cap Guns Linked to TV Shows
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2011, 06:55:41 PM »
US92,
 
The Fanner 50 was advertised with some Sat morning show or maybe Disney on Prade. Got any info on that one?
 
ear
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An economic crash like the one of the 1920s is the only thing that will get the US off of the road to Socialism that we are on and give our children a chance at a future with freedom and possibility of economic success.
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everyone hears but very few see. (I can't see either, I'm not on the corporate board making rules that sound exactly the opposite of what they mean, plus loopholes) ear
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Offline us920669

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Re: Cap Guns Linked to TV Shows
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2011, 07:44:45 AM »
The book is indexed to the characters and not the guns - don't see anything right off the bat.  Another book by Backyard Buckaroos has quite a bit on The Mattel Fanner 50.  First came the Fanner 45, almost a perfect replica of a SAA, made '59 to '62.  The 50 follows the general lines but is obviously a toy with an oversized trigger guard, offered with both revolving and non-revolving cylinders from '59 to '68.


Branded 50 models include the Planet of the Apes, 1960 only, antique bronze finish with black Impala head grips and considered quite rare; also the Cowboy in Africa, '62 only, chrome or black with white Impala head grips.  The Agent Zero, '65 to '68, has black finish with engraved metal and walnut-style grips.  An Agent Zero 38 snub nose was also offered '65 to '68, black with black or gold cylinder and the "Shootin' Shell" system, where a single cap was put into a toy bullet in the revolving cylinder. 


Mattel started the Shootin' Shell with the Fanner 45, used it in some 50s and finally called the line Shootin' Shell, often with stag grips.  Toy companies, even big ones like Mattel, made design changes with very little fanfare and almost no records survive.  This may be why a certain kind of collector finds them so fascinating.  They are not people who can't afford real guns.  Some of these things bring big bucks, although I suspect the market has cooled considerably since the financial crisis.

Offline us920669

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Re: Cap Guns Linked to TV Shows
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2011, 03:04:22 PM »
Just remembered something and went back and looked at the pictures again.  In the interest of accuracy, note that the Impala head grips referenced above actually show a Sable Antelope, a whole different African animal.  I don't know if the company made the error or early collectors started it, but they are always called Impala head.  There was also a Mattel Rapid Fire rifle (clicker only, no caps) branded to both Planet of the Apes and Cowboy in Africa, who was Chuck Conners.  It is based on a lever action Winchester but with a magazine drum located under the receiver.  It looks like a huge fluted revolver cylinder with bullets pointing up and down.  I'm sure you will sleep better tonight knowing all this.