Nowadays, the only place you'll find realistic toy guns is in "less developed" countries and in areas where political correctness hasn't taken root. For example, the mercados in San Antonio sometimes have cap guns like we remember (but more cheaply made), because they are catering to Texan customers from areas not near Austin, Houston or Dallas. And Mexicans, of course.
However, I was surprised recently - did an honest double-take - when I walked through a Walgreen's phamacy near Dallas and saw packages of those little plastic six-shot ring caps (more of a '70s invention, the older cap guns used roll caps or individual peel-n-stick caps). I hadn't seen those on the shelf in fifteen years, I'll bet.
"you're describing one of my favorite childhood toys, my Mattel "Fanner 50".Too bad you didn't hang on to it!
#543 Mattel, "Fanner 50 Bullet Loading Cap Pistol"
http://momandpopstoys.com/guns.htm
Fanning gun of Old West w/ bullet loading action, rapid for 50 perforated roll
caps, barrel smokes, action hammer 1958---ONLY TWO LEFT $800.00...
Definitely NOT the Fanner 50. Mine didn’t shoot anything. It was srictly a cap gun. The bullet part of the cartridge was grey metal. I’m talkin’ ‘bout Mid-Fifties, ‘55/’56, I think, as I was 10 in ‘56. The Mattel may have been available then, but it’s not what I had.
I said it didn’t shoot anything, but,,,, I soon discovered that a BB would fit tightly into the hole in the metal bullet, and I could squeeze up to ten of the red, round caps into the brass. With the aid of some strong rubber bands, the hammer had enough “oomph” to fire all the caps, and shoot the BB. BB didn’t go very far though!
TOYS...PHTT...I got to play w/ the REAL thing(my dad’s .22) and my dad brought home 3 Jap swords from WW II AND a Jap Rifle and bayonet too. TOYS...PHTT!
I got my son a pistol and rifle, both of which use those cap rolls, from Wally World last Christmas. I forgot how much fun they were. We went through several extra rolls. I even showed him how to use a rock to make sure the whole roll was used up, if'n ya had a misfire.
