1776-1876 Centennial Iron Toy Cap Pistol Gun, Best # S13, Pgs. 128/129

  

This toy was issued for the centennial in 1876. The handle has "1776" on one side & "1876" on the other side & the dates are surrounded by ornate designs in the castings. This toy cap pistol was made by the J.

Stevens Toy Company of Cromwell, Connecticut specifically to commemorate the 1876 U. An example of this toy cap pistol is listed as # S13 & is shown on pages 128/129 in the 1973 edition of the classic reference book "Cast Iron Toy Pistols" by Charles Best. There is minor surface wear & there are some light surface areas of oxidation & a little bit of surface rust. The pistol still retains a significant part of the all original dark brown transparent finish which has a wonderful patina & luster. But, when the trigger is moved the hammer does not move.

To move the hammer forward manual movement with fingers is required. So, the hammer will not pop a cap. The example we are offering is visually very nice & is completely original.

There are no cracks, no chips & no repairs. The length is 4 7/8 inches & the weight is 4.0 ounces. Note: the Charles Best book lists the length as 5 1/4 inches. We have checked ours ten times & 4 7/8 inches is correct for ours. It is, of course, possible that the cap pistols in this design were issued in more than one size.

But, it is much more likely that the measurement in the book is incorrect. The reason that we say this is that over the last 56 years of being heavily involved in early iron toy cap pistols we have owned several other examples of this cap pistol & the other examples we have owned were also 4 7/8 inches long. Also, a few other examples that we have examined in collections have all measured 4 7/8 inches. This item is inventory #11,460. This replica gun contains the colored markings required by law, including a permanently attached orange plug.

This antique TOY cap pistol was NOT made to fire a projectile & it CANNOT be altered to fire bullets, or ammunition, or lethal projectiles of any kind. All of the pictures in this listing have been taken & uploaded by me & are NOT stock photos. This antique TOY cap pistol is shown as a whole in its entirety in several different views.