Tinplate6 Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 I just picked up a “space gun”, that I can honestly say I have never seen. I use the term fringe, because it does not specifically say space gun anywhere, but it looks like one to me. The Smoke Jet gun arrived in it’s original box( none the worse for wear). It measures 7.5 inches long, and is the most lightweight toy I have. My guess is that is is made from a glossy celluloid. It is a talcum pistol...simple action; pull the metal trigger and poof...out streams a cloud of powder. The box reads...Smoke Jet Gun created by Weiss Laboratories, Queens, N. Y. MFD By Vera Toy N.Y.C. 12 N.Y. It it even has the original price of 79 cents in pencil on the box. The action and loading instructions are printed on the side of the box. It is also messy...it has been leaving a trail of talcum everywhere! Anyway, I like the retro look of this toy, now I just need to squeeze it into the collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted July 16, 2019 Author Share Posted July 16, 2019 I researched this toy...Weiss Laboratories does still exist in NY, but there is no record that they ever designed toys. Vera Toy had no information, but oddly, I did find another toy made by Vera being sold on Esty...what a coincidence. These two have very similar designs; the cone shape and the trigger assembly. This also has all the same markings on the toy as the Smoke Jet..."Manufacturers Vera Toy N.Y.C. 12 N.Y. Created by Weiss Laboratories, Queens, N. Y. Pat. Pending" Esty states... "Vintage from the 1940s Very Rare Antique Vera Toys Gee Wee Ball Launcher Clicker Ball Thrower I am not sure of the vintage. Maybe 40's 50s It is cardboard except for the metal for clicking to shoot the ball out.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fineas J. Whoopie Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 Never saw it before. Great thread Brady. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted July 16, 2019 Author Share Posted July 16, 2019 Thanks Fin, I’m not very good at historical research, I just got lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted July 16, 2019 Author Share Posted July 16, 2019 It fits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennetzel Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 Another lucky weapon finds it way into the ever impressive armory. Congrats Brady. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted July 16, 2019 Author Share Posted July 16, 2019 Thanks Ken. I think it's spacey enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted July 17, 2019 Author Share Posted July 17, 2019 After a lot of research, the patent # 2,541,392 is for the basic configuration of the cone and trigger assembly for both toys, the patent was filed on February 4, 1949, as a "toy ejecting device", but granted to G. Weiss (of Weiss Labs) February 15, 1951. So, the trigger assembly was applicable for throwing a ball, or ejecting "a charge" (talcum) from the cone. That could put the age of the gun into the first half of the 1950's. Now, we just need to find when it went on sale, and where. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian.. Posted July 17, 2019 Share Posted July 17, 2019 The Vera Toy Gee Wee set went on sale in 1957. I can't find the Smoke Jet, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted July 17, 2019 Author Share Posted July 17, 2019 Thanks Brian, something is better than nothing. My guess then, is that the gun is later than I thought...possibly late 50’s early 60’s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6Stelab9 Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 An unusual but nice gun added to your collection. Congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted July 23, 2019 Author Share Posted July 23, 2019 Thanks! It's not often I find something totally unknown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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