May I please see your vintage ray guns?

As an older fan/collector, I find that the concept of the 'ray gun', in any form, is one of my favorite sci-fi trappings. I like to keep a loose definition of 'ray gun'...

...whether it's the original Buck Rogers Daisy toy like mine below to the later art-deco pieces all the way down through Han Solo's blaster, the PKD, the Lawgiver, Pulse Rifle or Spooner's piece from I, ROBOT...

...I love ray guns. They can shoot rays, sure, or bullets, or explosions or whatever. I love them.

So, to get the ball rolling, here's one of my vintage pieces, at home on the baby's room wall....

[attachmentid=5586]

LOVE rayguns... Ihave a bunch. Made one a while back - have plans to make a "liquid based" raygun, next. Here's my "electric" raygun design - I've actually modified it since these pics were taken. Made it a little more "Wah Chang-like"






And it lights up - even made a companion "Tricorder" out of an old stomp box:

http://homepage.mac.com/moffeaton1/..../spacegear.mov

Build diary here:
http://www.roboterkampf.com/roboterhtml/ht.../commeaton2.htm

Now you went and did it...

I don't have any, but I have a really good book on Vintage Ray Guns.

Check out THIS site. He has your Buck Rogers Gun in the Ray Gun Section. :P

FB

Originally posted by moffeaton@Dec 21 2005, 10:00 PM
And it lights up - even made a companion "Tricorder" out of an old stomp box:

That is absolutely stunning- Any pics of it lighting up or the tricorder- Still need a helmet . . .

Doc

I guess creeping up on 30 years makes it vintage.

My favorite and just completed! Working, CC/Brass and aluminum DS gun.

Rylo

moffeaton, that ray gun is stunning. I haven't jumped over to your links yet, but I'm assuming it's all scratch built. Absolutely fantastic!

Rylo, that Logan's Run Sandmasn pistol is also a beauty - I'm actually searching for an inexpensive one for the wall. How long have you had that piece?

There's something special about holding an old ray gun...heck, even a new one.

Nobody can fight the urge to make the KAPING noise...

Now I got tha drop on ya with MYYYYY dithintigratin' pithtol! And brother, when it dithintigrates, it DITHINTIGRATTHHHHH!

Well, whatta ya know... it dithintigrated.

The Buck Rogers XZ-31 Rocket Pistol, the Original ray gun. Stamped steel and dreams are what it's made of. :P



The Buck Rogers XZ-35, "Wilma's Pistol". Little sister to the XZ-31.



The pride of any collection: the The Buck Rogers XZ-38 Disintegrator. This is the apex of ray gun design.




The 50s: Rock n Roll, bobby sox, fast cars and ... RAY GUNS! The Hubley Atomic Disintegrator. HEAVY cast metal cap gun, feels great in the hand. The "oven dial" control design is charming as hell, ain't it?



The Hubley has the distinction of having been used as a prop in one of the worst film of all time: "Teenagers from Outer Space".




Flash forward to the mid 60s... this handsome example is a derivative of the Remco Hamilton's Invaders cap gun, which you will recognize as the basis for the Year One Laser Pistol prop on Lost In Space. Ironically this version was released as a Star Trek tie-in.




This F703 Cap Gun is pretty classic looking, but I don't have a story to go with it. Smaller than it looks too. A tiny gem.



Isher Artifacts. The name is instantly recognizable to anybody who read Starlog magazine in the 70s. Isher sold their light-up ray guns thru ads in Starlog, and at conventions. Amazingly isher is still around and making their distinctive weapons, but with the latest in LED technology. This is a recent acquisition.



And finally we come full circle with a piece of fine art. This "art gun" by Gordon Smuder harks back to the Lost in Space pistol, and also to the earlier golden age of ray guns.



- K

The Buck Rogers XZ-31 Rocket Pistol was used as a ray gun in the Buck Rogers serial. Remco issued the Grenade Pistol in three lines that I know of. In olive green, and black as the Monkey Division Okinawa Grenade Pistol. This is the one I believe was used for the first season LIS laser pistol, they also used the Remco holster in a couple of episodes. In chrome and black as the Hamilton's Invaders Grenade Pistol, this is the one I had. This was used as a laser pistol in the movie "Cybor 2067" along with the Topper Multi-Pistol 09 as a stun gun. I also had one as a Star Trek pistol in blue and black.

This is probably the ultimate toy ray gun site: http://www.toyraygun.com/home.html

David.

Originally posted by Kal-L@Dec 21 2005, 07:07 PM
Rylo, that Logan's Run Sandmasn pistol is also a beauty - I'm actually searching for an inexpensive one for the wall.Â* How long have you had that piece?

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About 2 hours...Just finished it.

This is an older pic, but here's my baby:

[image]http://members.cox.net/gytheran/solo_blaster_02.jpg[/image]

I have thought about moving more into collecting toy ray guns myself. The older toy guns were just too cool. The only toy guns of this sort I have are like a Johnny Seven and some made from scratch wood ray guns. I have been looking for a british Space Outlaw gun on the cheap also. Its a beautiful design. Some of the serious solid metal water guns from the past are also way cool.
But everytime I start thinking about toy ray guns I think of all the screen used pieces I could be giving up instead by putting resources into toys.

Often I do see screen used scifi guns based on toy ray guns of various sorts.
The power rangers silver guaridian gun was based on a toy, the Assault on Dome 4 gun also is based on a toy gun or is very close as I own a toy gun that is very close to it.

Originally posted by phase pistol@Dec 22 2005, 12:17 AM

Isher Artifacts. The name is instantly recognizable to anybody who read Starlog magazine in the 70s. Isher sold their light-up ray guns thru ads in Starlog, and at conventions. Amazingly isher is still around and making their distinctive weapons, but with the latest in LED technology. This is a recent acquisition.

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OMG - I always wondered if anyone ever ordered those guns and what they looked like in real life!!! " YOU CAN BUILD A WORKING LASER PISTOL!!!"

Couple of mine:

A few-


Commando Cody buildup from a sqirt gun- Still a little battle damamged from 60+ year old convention goer who said "Wow! that's great! Can I hold it?"
[image]http://www.fotoheap.com/image.php?on=207&an=1851&in=28416&t=i[/image]

Sky Captain from RPF member(?)
[image]http://www.fotoheap.com/image.php?on=207&an=1851&in=28420&t=i[/image]

Cyberman gun from the series
[image]http://www.fotoheap.com/image.php?on=207&an=1851&in=28417&t=i[/image]

Playmates Commander Pike ($10 at the time and still one of my favorites)
[image]http://www.fotoheap.com/image.php?on=207&an=1851&in=28419&t=i[/image]

Mars Attacks from Trendmasters
[image]http://www.fotoheap.com/image.php?on=207&an=1851&in=28418&t=i[/image]




and a buildup- Source unknown- Paid very little for it and the eBay seller swore it was somehow connected to Lucasfilm (apocryphal)- Made of entirely of metal with wood grips, and really a joy to hold- If anyone knows anything, chime in-

[image]http://www.fotoheap.com/image.php?on=207&an=1851&in=28421&t=i[/image]
[image]http://www.fotoheap.com/image.php?on=207&an=1851&in=28422&t=i[/image]
[image]http://www.fotoheap.com/image.php?on=207&an=1851&in=28423&t=i[/image]

Well, it's not old but just something I thought I would try. This is my first attempt and I think it came out pretty good.

I love them - all of them
Did anyone ever attempt any of the Barbarella guns?


(Cheers Wackychimp)

/Pontus

Originally posted by Jet Beetle@Dec 22 2005, 12:53 AM
OMG - I always wondered if anyone ever ordered those guns and what they looked like in real life!!! " YOU CAN BUILD A WORKING LASER PISTOL!!!"

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Thanks! I think.

I dunno if Isher ever sold blueprints or kits... I think just finished guns. The attraction here is of course the machined plexi barrel. The whole thing lights up!




- k

Originally posted by kdawg1@Dec 22 2005, 03:17 AM
Well, it's not old but just something I thought I would try. This is my first attempt and I think it came out pretty good.

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Great Job!

Originally posted by phase pistol+Dec 22 2005, 10:46 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(phase pistol &#064; Dec 22 2005, 10:46 AM)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-Jet Beetle

@Dec 22 2005, 12:53 AM
OMG - I always wondered if anyone ever ordered those guns and what they looked like in real life&#33;&#33;&#33; " YOU CAN BUILD A WORKING LASER PISTOL&#33;&#33;&#33;"

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Thanks&#33; I think.

I dunno if Isher ever sold blueprints or kits... I think just finished guns. The attraction here is of course the machined plexi barrel. The whole thing lights up&#33;




- k

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I meant nothing but praise. It&#39;s a beautiful gun and very unique looking. It almost looks like it&#39;s made of glass.

I miss the old days when Starlog was all I had to worry about buying.

Great guns guys&#33; Love the vintage stuff&#33;

Thanks Beetle&#33;

I do wonder some times about those DIY "phaser pistols" and "laser guns" from plans you could buy... did anybody ever actually build one...

Of course these days every kid has a "laser gun" on his keychain, to annoy movie patrons with...

- k

That Sky Captain piece is wonderful...that was offered here? Probably before my arrival...

I too remember those STARLOG ads, but never had the gumption (or the cash as a tyke) to order one. What an error in judegment THAT was, eh?

And hey, eaviii...if you&#39;re ever looking to unload that mystery eBay ray gun, give me a holler. That&#39;s a piece that would wonderful in my living room....

This place is great.

eavii: Your Sky Cap gun is from Wilco Models I think&#33;


kdawg: Your Sky Cap gun looks familiar... did you get it off of ebay? Or sell it on ebay?

I like the Sky Cap pistol, I have one of those Wilcos myself, but I don&#39;t the definitive prop-replica version has been done yet... Casting of screenused prop or perfect "re-creation" I mean.

I do have this neat "ornament" that came out awhile back which is pretty accurate to the prop, but it&#39;s only about 3" long.



- k

Originally posted by phase pistol@Dec 22 2005, 02:37 PM
eavii: Your Sky Cap gun is from Wilco Models I think&#33;

No I screwed up big time&#33; I found that photo on ebay and was going to use it as ref to finish one that I have. When I posted last night my whole system here at home died so I didn&#39;t get to see if it posted and I see it&#39;s the wrong photo. I&#39;m truly sorry and I&#39;m not trying to take credit for some one elses work.Â* Here is a photo of my scratch built ray gun.
kdawg: Your Sky Cap gun looks familiar... did you get it off of ebay? Or sell it on ebay?

I like the Sky Cap pistol, I have one of those Wilcos myself, but I don&#39;t the definitive prop-replica version has been done yet... Casting of screenused prop or perfect "re-creation" I mean.

I do have this neat "ornament" that came out awhile back which is pretty accurate to the prop, but it&#39;s only about 3" long.



- k

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