Object Details
Manufacturer
Daisy Manufacturing Co.
Summary
This is a Buck Rogers XZ-44 Liquid Helium Toy Water Pistol manufactured by Daisy Manufacturing Co. in 1936. Inside the toy's metal body, where the red and yellow lightning bolts meet, a leather sack held the water for this water gun. The gun was also issued in a solid copper-colored finish, which has become the more rare of the two versions.
Fictional space heroes often carried space-themed versions of the Western's ever-present six-shooter or rifle. As a result, for several generations, pretend gun play with ray gun toys formed a central part of many children's imagined space adventures. Exactly how one blasted space enemies often reflected the newest technologies. In the late 1940s, "atomic" guns proliferated. "Laser" guns followed the creation of the practical laser in 1960.
Collector Michael O'Harro donated this toy ray gun to the Museum in 1993.
Credit Line
Gift of Michael O'Harro Trademarked - Daisy Manufacturing Co.
Inventory Number
A19970783000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture
Materials
Overall, pressed metal, probably copper
Dimensions
3-D: 19.1 x 5.1 x 15.2cm (7 1/2 x 2 x 6 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Exhibition
Futures In Space
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19970783000