The Strato Gun was created by Futuristic Products Co. based in Detroit in the mid 1950s. A large heavy cap gun with a shiney chrome-like finish, the Strato was marketed as "Earth's only Interplanetary Automatic Cap Gun." A fantastic claim for a fantastic gun. Length 12".




 

Produced in the early 1950s by Daisy Manufacturing Company. The Rocket Dart Pistol used the same molds as the 1930s Buck Rogers Pop Pistol but with a colourful twist. Made from heavy lithographed sheet metal. Length 7".



 

This is my Master Replica Han Solo Blaster - Number 1010 of only 1500 ever made. As seen in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. Carefully recreated from original archival materials and fully authorized and endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd. Constructed from durable machined and die-cast metal, each replica is polished and assembled by hand. This is a non-firing replica (shame). I admit it, I am a Star Wars Fan and rather sad proportions (me and 90% of the planet) and so when I saw that the coolest weapon from the coolest film was being reproduced from the original prop I had to have one. This is my all time favourite contemporary collectable.









 

The Atomic Disintegrator Cap Gun was made in the early 1950s by Hubley Manufacturing Co. who primarily produced many cast iron toys. This the only ray gun produced by Hubley is the pride of my collection, I have two, but this one still has it's zinc coating. It was bought for me by my dad as a restoration job, he restored the handles and gave it to me as a gift! More recently I bought a slightly rougher looking unit (see below) and I swapped the perfect handles off that one. Length 8". c1950s





 

The Atomic Disintegrator Cap Gun was made in the early 1950s by Hubley Manufacturing Co. who primarily produced many cast iron toys. This the only ray gun produced by Hubley is the 2nd one I own, but it is still central to my collection. This unit has restored handles, courtesy of my Dad (a antique restoration expert). It was either not manufactured with Zinc coating or it has worn off over the years. From reading about this subject I believe there were two versions, zinced and metal. Length 8". c1950s





 

I know nothing about this gun, it is borderline "space gun", made in West Germany. Likely c1950 after the iron curtain fell.



 

Very similar to my black Nu-Matic gun, but manufactured in England. I don't know a great deal about this item. c1950.



 

This Buck Rogers Disintegrator Pistol also known as the XZ-38, was made around 1935. Produced in a copper and a blued finish, this example is in gleaming gold copper. Manufactured by Daisy. This gun was sold in stores and also merchandised as a "Cream of Wheat" premium in 1935 and a "Popsicle" premium in 1939. Length 10". c1935



 

Originally patented in 1936 and produced by Langson Manufacturing Company, the Nu-Matic paper popper was designed to make a loud pop without the use of explosive caps. Not marketed specifically as a space gun, though it's design immediately caused it to be grouped as such. A variety of versions & colours of this gun were created. Length 6.5". c1936



 

The Space Outlaw has a complex and "busy" design. It is a diecast capgun made by B.C.M. in the 1960s. The barrel recoils each time the trigger is pulled. The gun also was produced in black and nickle plated versions. The basic design was also rebadged in the 1960s as a "BatMan" gun, probably because of it's gothic feel. Length 9 3/4". c1960 This piece is not in terribly good condition compared to the last one, it needs some restoration.



 

The Space Outlaw has a complex and "busy" design. It is a diecast capgun made by B.C.M. in the 1960s. The barrel recoils each time the trigger is pulled. The gun also was produced in black and nickle plated versions. The basic design was also rebadged in the 1960s as a "BatMan" gun, probably because of it's gothic feel. Length 9 3/4". c1960

Very interesting e-mail and picture from an informed reader (address hidden):


Hi Chris

Great site, I am retired ex.BCM employee. Company was named after three directors, Richard Brown, Duncan Campbell, and Stan Munton.Now all deceased and company no longer trading, original Trading Name was "OUTLAW" The space outlaw was first made in the mid 1950's but was way before it's time,and not very popular. It was withdrawn from the range, to be re-introduced in the 1960's at the time of the" Space Race" and this time was a must with the young budding astronauts.Our company used to export to Japan and the space gun No.A10 in our range was copied and made into a plastic water pistol. Through successful legal proceedings the company managed to have all the tooling confiscated partly because it was being marketed as the "Space Outlaw" our registered name. I only ever remember the toy being made in silver (vacuum metalised) or nickel coated but don't remember any "batman" connections.

Regards Paul.

THANKS PAUL! It was great to get info like that it all helps keep the history accurate - many thanks indeed.




 

The first American metal space gun produced in 1934, the Buck Rogers Rocket Pistol also known as XZ-31 by Daisy Manufacturing. Cocked by pumping the hand grip, emits a very load POP. Quite long at 10.5". c1934



 

The first American metal space gun produced in 1934, the Buck Rogers Rocket Pistol also known as XZ-31 by Daisy Manufacturing. Cocked by pumping the hand grip, emits a very load POP. Quite long at 10.5". c1934



 

The first American metal space gun produced in 1934, the Buck Rogers Rocket Pistol also known as XZ-31 by Daisy Manufacturing. Cocked by pumping the hand grip, emits a very load POP. Quite long at 10.5". c1934



 

Made by Crescent Toys out of aluminum. The Atomic Jet-Gun is the English copy of the American Hiller Atom Ray gun. Also produced with a "Dan Dare" logo. Length 6". c1950s



 

Japanese Super Space Tin Space Gun. A charming little ray gun with sparking action. Lithographically printed tin. c1950s



 

Chinese space gun with cogs. Trigger spins cogs and makes a load and horrid noise. Huge gun at 11" long! pressed metal, probably steel, too heavy to be tin. c1960.



 

From Mars Attacks this is the Martian brain disintegrator by Trendmasters, features lights, sounds and throbbing brain.

 

The genuine Zapp Brannigan Space Gun is an official Futurama tin toy collectible. Be prepared for any encounter close or otherwise with your Handy Dandy, Tin Toy, Zapp Brannigan Atomic Ray Gun! Use the Faux Destructive Sparking Action to impress any Human, Neptunian, or Omicronian in your Universe. This is the weapon used by Zapp Brannigan while leading the Democratic Order of Planets epic liberation of K'ong-13. Length 6.5". c2003

 

Galaxia cap gun, in packet with "Star Wars" rip off print. Manufactured by Redondo (Spain). small at 2.5". c1980

 

Ray Gun with the marking "Empire Made" this means it was most likely manufactured in Hong Kong. Whirring, ringing sound with trigger is pulled, cogged turn also, very noisy. c1960(?)



 

Lion Sparkling Pistol MF888 made in China. Reloadable with flint. Box sporting the amusing words "Sparkling Pist". c1960(?)



 

HellBoy Samaritan Revolver manufactured by San Diego Comic Con Exclusive 1:4 by Sideshow Toys. Only 3,500 were made. Gun cocks, barrel spins, metal / polystone bullets can be removed. 2004



 

Chinese space gun labelled 601. Plastic, sparks and makes whirring noise when trigger is pulled. c1960(?)



 

The Buck Rogers Sonic Ray Gun contains a torch. Manufactured by Norton-Honer Mfg Co. in the mid 1950s. Followed by the Super Sonic Ray Gun made a few years later. Sadly this example is missing the lens and bulb. Length 7.5 inches. c1950s



 

Star Wars gun. This example has lost the "arrows" that evidently clicked into the device for firing. Plastic. c1990's