When I was a young cowpoke, my favorite shootin' iron was the Mattel Fanner 50 (above), which did not shoot plastic bullets. It just looked cool and felt great in the hand.
Then Mattel developed Shootin' Shell technology and introduced the Shootin' Shell Fanner (video below). Unfortunately, it was smaller (designed for smaller hands, maybe?) and seemed kind of wimpy compared to the original.
SHOOTIN' SHELL FANNER 50
What I didn't know at the time was that Mattel also made a Shootin' Shell Fanner 45, which was just as big as the original Fanner - and heavier - and shinier. I'm thinking it was one of the many toys that were, in those ancient times, not marketed on the West Coast. Anyway, I have one now, and it's by far the best of the Fanner family. Here it is in action . . .
SHOOTIN' SHELL FANNER 45
Gawd, I would've loved that beautiful revolver when I was a boy. Now I'm a bigger boy, I've got a Ruger Vaquero that looks just like it.
ReplyDeleteJoe West
I googled that Ruger, Joe, and danged if you ain't right. Now I wish I had one of those when I was little.
ReplyDeleteI had one of those when I was a kid. Holster was top cowhide and could have supported the real thing. Only problem with the pistol was I stopped to look for the plastic slugs to reload the shells which always got me picked off by the " indians." But that was ok because my five minute dead period allowed me to reload. Great toy.
ReplyDeleteI never had such a high-tech cap gun. Looking at the film I'm baffled as to how the bullets are propelled, since the caps are stuck on the outside of the shell casing. Somebody care to explain?
ReplyDeleteA.S.
The shell casing, which was metal, had a little spring in it. The gray plastic bullet tip was inserted in the shell, depressing the spring, and little tabs held it in the casing. The impact of the hammer activated the spring, releasing the tabs and propelling the bullet tip through the barrel. (It's possible the caps provided extra force, but I think they were mainly for sound and smoke.) Here's a photo of some shell casing and bullet tips:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.freebirdcollectibles.com/uploads/1/5/6/8/15682414/7812808_orig.jpg
My dad took mine away as soon as he realized one of his .44 magnum shells would drop right in and could be fired by the hammer.
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ReplyDeleteDavid scalf 42@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThere ain't NO .44 Magnum fitting in the cylinder of a Mattle shootin' Shell six shooter. The hole is Too Small as it's about the size of a .38 special. The hammer will NOT fire the primer on a Live round as it's flat to pop a cap. Stories are just that.....stories. Nice try!
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