This week I have an item that I picked up years ago at a garage sale. I grabbed it simply because I liked it...and because it stirred something in the far corners of my memory...
In 1973 I went on my first, and only, visit to Walt's original park, Disneyland. I have been to Walt Disney World many times since then, but I have never gotten back to the West Coast.
On that trip, the attraction that blew my almost 9 year old mind was The Pirates of the Caribbean! If you have only ridden the Walt Disney World version, you really haven't seen this attraction. The Disneyland original is much larger and more exciting!
Upon exiting the attraction you were (are?) presented with a treasure trove of piratey goodness to purchase! The thing that stands out in my mind was the full arsenal of cap weapons. Rows and rows of muskets and pistols to help raid your own backyard Caribbean village!
I didn't get one of those weapons on that trip, and I'm pretty sure they don't even have them any more (not even the orange tipped versions). However, at that sale, I spotted this:
This slightly sea-worn pistol is the two shot percussion cap type (I think). It is cool in that you can pull back both hammers and then slightly pull the trigger to get just one to drop. A harder pull drops the second one. Pretty fancy for a toy!
I shared pictures of it on a Disneyland history Facebook page I frequent and found that although this wasn't a Disneyland exclusive (as few things were back then), it IS the brand they sold. Further, a former CM pointed out that this style was only sold in New Orleans Square!
So, apparently, my memory was pretty spot-on! Now, I can't be sure that this particular gun came from Disneyland, but it certainly could have! And, you know, that's good enough for my memory.
Until next time, keep boarding the King's ships and searching for treasure!
Stu, you DID find a treasure, as I’m sure there aren’t any toy guns for sale anywhere anymore. Come to think of it, I hope they haven’t pulled guns from the POTC attractions, too. I guess they could show pirates throwing mud.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The Disneyland POTC is definitely better than WDW’s, and my favorite attraction ever. ‘Walt Disney and team’ at their best. I still remember the thrill of it in 1967...I couldn’t get enough of it back then, and still can’t now. During fireworks and parades, I head to it and ride it multiple times in a row, when lines are super short.
Keep digging for treasure. Am enjoying your posts.
—Sue
Pies! They need to throw pies at each other!
DeleteOk, it wouldn't work. Still, it's a thought!
I remember going into the ride with no expectations at all...It sort of reminded me of The Cave at 6 Flags...and suddenly I was in a full pitched battle! Mind. Blown.
I'm glad you're enjoying these!
Wow, pretty neat! I've never seen one of these before. There's a notorious eBay seller who would probably slap a fake "vintage" Disneyland price sticker on that gun and attempt to sell it for $300! For the updated "Pirates" ride, they don't shoot at each other, they have "dance offs". Exciting!
ReplyDeleteActually, dance offs would be kind of cool!
DeleteYeah, I'm sure a lot of stuff gets "accidently" mislabled on eBay. I usually like to actually see what useless thing I'm buying! And I never buy things for what they might be worth. I only buy things I like! It saves me from making stupid(er) deals!
Stu,
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in the late 50s, early 60s you couldn't get away from toy pistols and their ads on TV. I had pirate's pistol and a Fanner 50 from Mattel with shooting shells and Greenie Stick-um caps. Cap guns galore in every shape and size. Giant rolls of red caps you could smash on a rock and get a pretty good bang. Those days are long gone. Probably for the best I suppose.
Nice find, that double hammer pirate gun is a treasure.
Thanks!
Thabks!
DeleteYes, we had guns galore! And being in Texas probably fanned the "kid gun fever" flames! In the mid 60's I even had a plastic M-16. I remember having a flintlock rifle on the order of what they sold at Disneyland, but I didn't get it there.
I have mixed feelings about guns being so out of favour. Part of me thinks they shouldn't be glorified, but another part thinks that banning them just increases their mystique and appeal to certain folks. I don't know. I'll just hang on to my pirate pistol for now!
WOW! That is both fancy AND schmancy! If I'd seen it years ago, I would have reached through the screen many times to borrow it as a prop! (I used a set of rubber chain/manacles I bought at the WDW Pirates gift shop in a production of HMS Pinafore once.)
ReplyDeleteLike you, I was blown away on my one visit to Disneyland at how superior their Pirates ride is to the East Cast version. I'd been hearing people say it for years, but I didn't really believe it until I saw it for myself.
Very true! I used to want to plan a trip to ride it again...but now they have things so messed up, I think I'll wait a while. Sigh...
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