The Fanner 50

In the late 1950s television featured many popular shows set in the Old West -- or at least the script writer's conception of it. They were wildly popular with kids and adults alike and amounted to some of the most important programing aired by the networks. Naturally, a variety of cowboy/gunfighter/lawman merchandise would come to be offered, particularly to the younger audience interested in reenacting the exploits of their heroes of the silver screen. Cap pistols (and long arms) had been around since the previous century but a more sophisticated audience now demanded toy arms that more convincingly replicated the characteristics of real guns. As the design and function of cap guns reached its zenith during this period the Mattel toy company offered the Fanner 50. The commercial above was designed to illustrate their products and at the same time convince every kid that they had to have one.

The Fanner 50 was an excellent cap gun. Originally designed for repeated fire using a roll of caps, the later model utilized individual cartridges that each incorporated a single cap. It loaded the cylinder's chambers with cartridges just like the real revolver and actually fired a plastic projectile while producing a small puff of smoke! The realism was nothing short of remarkable and the fabulous marketing campaign put forward by Mattel made it probably the most desired toy six shooter available. A lot were sold.

In another post I've noted my objections to the Fanner 50 as compared to the Stallion 45 but there's something very interesting in the commercial clip that indicates Mattel my have tried a bit of slight of hand to disguise these deficiencies. Play the video, pausing the action at :04, :11, and :36. Compare the profile of the pistol with the picture of a Fanner 50 at the top of this post. It's not the same gun! Apparently an early prototype or even a real Colt Peacemaker was used in the filming of the commercial. In actual fact, the Fanner 50 loads from the opposite side rather than the gate (clearly seen at :11) shown in the commercial, which is identical to that of the real Colt -- and the Stallion 45. Apparently "truth in advertising" was taken rather casually in this slick and very appealing ad. So, though it may be "swell", the Fanner 50 is hardly -- as the commercial claims -- "the most authentic cap pistol in the world". For my money, that title goes to the Stallion 45.