[dratomic]

I just snagged this vintage Space Scout Spud Gun off eBay. I'm proud to say that this is my first potato-firing weapon, and I'll never look at French Fries the same way again.



It's obviously the grand pappy of all the red and black spud guns that pop up on ebay and other online shops. Same general design, though there are subtle differences -- the number of lines on the handle, the exact curve of the body, and of course the colors. While I never cared much for the modern spud guns, this one knocked me over when I saw it. You just can't beat the red and yellow combo.

I like the box, too. Fairly simple, but playful. The words "Space Scout" are written on the side -- sorry, I didn't bother to take another photo.



The toy also came with the original instructions. It also lists some of the other materials that can be used for ammunition, including carrots, orange peels, modeling clay, and melon. It's also careful to mention that kids shouldn't fire beets unless they're outdoors and wearing old clothes because beets make a huge, red mess. So I'm sure that's the first thing kids tried firing!

This one's new to me -- has anybody seen one before?

[Fineas J. Whoopie]

Great piece! Screams 1950's, the quality (read as properties) of the plastic and the styling. Plus I love the "catalog style" image of the gun on the box. I want one!!

[phase pistol]

I can't WAIT to load that thing up with beets! That would be SO sweet!

[astrogonza]

I never seen that box, love it !
mine has the popular black and red colors.

Attached image(s)

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[dratomic]

I've been comparing the new ones to my vintage gun and can't really see a solid, definitive difference between them. A color scheme that's not red and black indicates vintage, but there's no evidence that red and black wasn't also used in the 1950s. So there's no way to tell if a new one is really an old one, or vice versa.

However, I think I finally found something significant. It's tiny, it's hidden, and I almost missed it.

If you look at this enhanced close up, you'll see what looks like a small holdover from the molding process, a tiny, circular indentation common to many plastic toys.



However, imagine my surprise when I discovered that it's not something molded into the plastic, but is in fact a small plug that's removable. Doing so reveals a hole through the lower fin, perfect for a piece of string or some sort of a lanyard. I'm convinced this is what it's for because I only discovered it when I noticed some small threads -- really small, really fine -- sticking out of it. (I originally thought they were thin, string-like, plastic remainders -- again, imperfections in the molding process.)

I'm betting the modern versions of the gun do not have this plug. And if not, that's a pretty solid "tell."

I'll post more -- and better -- photos of it tonight.

I also wonder if the internal spring and washer are different on the vintage versions. These guns are designed to pop open for easy cleaning and oiling (after all, you're firing bits of vegetable!), so it's not hard to check. I glanced at it when the toy first arrived, and the washer seems to be made out of thin leather or something, not rubber. But I only took a quick look, so I could be completely wrong. Again, I'll check again tonight and post some photos.

Finally, I just noticed that Astrogonza's photo shows a small ridge on the bottom of the red part of the handle. Mine doesn't appear to have this -- but it's showing the wrong side, so I could be wrong. I'll need to check again when I get home. Astrogonza, does yours have this ridge on the red part of the handle on both sides?

This post has been edited by dratomic: 28 July 2010 - 03:18 PM

[dratomic]

Okay... Some more details.

First, here's a pic of the lanyard hole, along with the small plug of plastic. Definitely an unusual feature.



Second, I don't know how I missed this, but the words "Space Scout" are written on the side of the gun's handle. A pretty clear way of indicating whether or not it's original!



Also, I checked and there are no little ridges on the bottom part of the yellow handle section. This differs from the one posted by Astrogonza.

[toyboy]

Great pickup Dr! - I have never seen that color before - Or that AWESOME BOX!!!
The lanyard hole and "Space Scout" markings make it that much more special. - I'm gonna have to keep my eye out for that version some day.
Thanks for all the great info. (As usual)

[astrogonza]

hi doc,
mine has the ridge on both sides and does not have the ''space scout'' name on it.
the box you have has the name ''spud gun'' I wonder why the gun has the words ''space scout''

all I can say is that yours is UNIQUE, congratulations !