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THESE
ARE PAGES FOR OUR CUSTOMERS & THEIR GUNS & TOYS! (and FUN!)
We are dedicating this Scrapbook Section to
the things that don't quite have a "home," like holsters, newspaper clippings
and generally everything that kids played with before 1970 (or so).
On these
pages you will also find a bunch of your friends, all decked out in their
Cowboy Best. Or something similar.
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Christmas 2005 with some of the Nichols clan in
our Nichols T-Shirts. One of these in this photo was there when Nichols
Industries was formed. Hint: She's standing behind me. Mom.
How on earth can you beat this photo?
Except for the baby (who is holding a Nichols Pinto with white grips),
everybody in red Long Johns with a Nichols Stallion 45. My family may be
wearing the shirts, but his family is pointing "THE REAL THING!" Posted on
Christmas Day, 2016. Many Thanks!!!
Photo by
Richard Strom and family.
Stick 'em up! Here's a cute photo of Matthew's father and brother
taken from the 1950s. I hope no one was injured by stray gunfire. Their aim
could also be improved. Almost every boy (and lotsa girls) played "Cowboys and
Indians" in those days.
Photo
contributed by Matthew Bockemehl. Thanks!
Here is a photo of 3 kids playing with
(apparently) Hubley Cap Guns. What makes the photo more interesting is that
James Dean, the actor is the kid in the middle. It was in Fairmount, Indiana,
where Dean grew up. He is flanked by a couple of his friends, maybe one of them
a cousin.
Photo submitted by Aggie Hall. Thanks!
Here's a nice Circle N Ranch plaque created
by John Stuart, who is a fan of Nichols Cap Guns. Pretty nice!
Photo by
John Stuart
Tristan says that this is his father when
he was about 6 or so. They look like a couple of Stevens Cap Guns.
Photo by
Tristan Wilson
1960: 50th
Boy Scout Jamboree, Colorado Springs Note the pistol cut out in the upper left.
It's a Nichols Stallion 38!
(Click to see larger
photo)
Contribution from Richard Strom
It would
seem that even Woody is prepared to defend himself and his friends. I think
this has been doctored by one of my customers, but I like it. The movie in all
of its 3 versions made Pixar a TON of money and was EXCELLENT!!! Both adults
and kids liked it. I did.
Photo by
Tom Janes
This is a rather PACKED Cap Gun collection.
I wish I had a half dozen cases like this. My collection is still inpasteboard
boxes! This fine little collection belongs to Tami and Billy Andrew. I claim
them as cousins!
Photo by
Tami Andrew
And here's a wall of his house showing some
Nichols Cap Guns. He said it shows a Plainsman instead of the Stallion 61 that
he hasn't gotten yet. If you have one for sale, contact him!
Photo by
John Stuart
As Fred says, "I have
attached a great graphic Fourth of July newspaper ad I found from 1903 that
pictures an "American Bulldog" cap gun. This may come in handy for someone's
research." This ad is from the Muskegon Daily Chronicle of June 29, 1903.
Photo by
Fred Kelso
Great
images of Wards 1939 catalog. Notice which gun is in the Buffalo Bill holster.
The Lasso Em Bill
Photos by
Ron Doub
Here are John Bray's hand
carved 2-to-1 models of cap guns. The Hoppy, Texan, Jr, Cowboy and Schmidt Roy
Rogers. John had these on display at one of Don Raker's shows. He had them
displayed with the actual cap guns. Really a talented guy.
Photo by
Don Raker
Here's a pretty impressive Johnny Yuma (The
Rebel) set that was put together by Paul Panamarenko. The sawed off shotgun was
made by Classy products. The revolver cap gun was made by Lone Star and is
marked "Rebel." Note the embossed holsters for each and the belt with buckle
marked CS (Confederate States of America). Cool set for those Johnny Yuma
fans.
Photo by Paul Panamarenko
Back in
the 1950's and 1960's Paul Boesch (pronounced BOSH), the Houston Wrestling
Empresario, controlled all of the wrestling in the greater Houston area (Texas)
and the Dalton Boys worked for him. He bought a couple of sets of Nichols
Stallions and they wore them down the aisles at events, shooting caps all over
the crowd. I guess these days it would make women faint and throw their
children into the ring, but in those days, Americans had a lot more nerve.
Anyway, our friend Rick Garren presents this photo from Mr. Boesch's own vault
to show the Dalton Boys in cowboy regalia. Thanks Rick!
CLICK ON IT FOR A LARGER
PHOTO
A lot of
people really love the Nichols Stallions and here's a really super holster made
by Ed Manes (pronounced MAN ess) for his G-45 Presentation Model
Stallion 45 MK-II. My G-45 is my prize possession, though I surely wish that we
had not handled it as much as we have, for the gold plating is VERY thin. But,
considering that I don't ever sell Cap Guns, then..what the heck?
CLICK ON IT FOR A LARGER
PHOTO
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Many people collect
entire sets of a particular brand of gun. We are very proud that MANY people
collect the entire series of Nichols Cap Guns.
However,
there are display sets and collections of other brands as well.
Some of
you may have overlooked some of our "Hidden Pages" by not clicking on all of
the links in this website. Yes, we have the primary Main Menu, but we have
intersperced "hidden" pages and "Pop-Ups." So go looking. The one on the right
will pop up.
On the right we see a fantastic display of "The Restless
Gun."
A simple little thing like a plastic toy
truck. In this case a rare Nichols toy truck. Most of you never knew Nichols
ever made anything besides Cap Guns. Well, they made sprinklers, cannisters and
even hub caps. The market for rare antique toys, however, is actually quite
large. |
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"The Restless Gun"
a display from the TV series.
CLICK TO
ENLARGE
Photo by
Jamie Linford
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Photo
thanks to Robert Nichols |
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And another unusual Nichols toy from
the late 50's or early 60's. This was an amphibious car, the Aquacar. It could
drive off into the lake and just keep on going as a boat, then drive up the
other side and drive off. Sort of James Bond style. It was not a success as a
real car or as a toy.
This photo thanks to Bruce Lameyer.
And
here is the same Aquacar, but in reversed colors.
Here's an unusual Lone
Star Beer display with a Stallion 38. I haven't a clue as to what that black
circle in the grip is. The idea here is that you put the Lone Star in the
proper place and lower the Stallion 38 and it opens it. Very strange!
(Here's the
"Official" scoop from Richard)
1950s
barmount bottle opener advertising "LONE STAR BEER GOIN' GREAT! CLEAR ACROSS
THE STATE / LONE STAR BEER CERTIFIED QUALITY / CERTIFIED QUALITY (ON 5-1/2 BY
10-1/4 WOOD BASE) (BLACK RED & GOLD ON WHITE)." Designed By Eric W. Johnson
(Thrall, Texas), Design Patent No. 181,856 (01/07/1958), Cap Gun Designed By
Talley W. Nichols (Pasadena Tx), Mechanical Patent No. 2,655,755 (10/20/1953).
JFO Style K-12-1. 13-1/2" Tall.
Photo
thanks to Richard Strom.
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Here's a small collection from John
Hamilton. Definitely some of my favorite Cap Guns. He's from Waxahachie, Texas.
Can you say, "Waxahachie?" |
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And a photo of The King of the Cowboys and one of
my
personal heroes, Doug Hamilton, alias "Cotton Eye Joe."
Doug is one
of the major contributors of photos to this site.
THANKS DOUG!!!
Oh, the
other guy is Roy Rogers. |
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Can you imagine? A "Fast Draw Contest."
What would people think now?
However, we had more common sense in those
days and practiced personal
responsibility and never blamed inanimate
objects. We held people responsible.
And the kids had a lot of fun!!!
Photo
courtesy of Troy Greenwood |
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At the bottom of
every page is a Circle "N" Logo and when you click on it, it will take you back
to the top of the page. |
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(and older ones too!) |
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Let's just start with the "youngest" kid
first!!! This is Charles "Buddy" Sexton Jr. with his prize Stallion 45 MK-II
and a signed Nichols book, which his loving daughter gave him for Father's Day.
And, of course, the T-Shirt!
Photo by Ashley Sexton. Thanks
Ashley!
This is my granddaughter Abigail Ruth Marquis!!!
She is 4 years old in this picture.
This is photo of Art Tobias
circa 1955, grasping (and loading) his Nichols Stallion 38. All cowboyed-up
except for the paratrooper boots which, as he recalls, were popular at the
time.
Photo by Floyd A. (Art) Tobias
Here's a young Buckaroo,
Katie, Don Raker's cute granddaughter.
Photo from Don Raker
Here's Michael and Judy Johnson. While Judy
has a doll baby, young Michael is guarding her with his click gun, which you
can just barely see in the holster to our left of his left hand.
Photo from
Michael Johnson
Here's a very handsome
Buckaroo. Cowboy Bob!!! I was asked what these Cap Guns are, and naturally I
"accused" them of being Stallion 38's. That's my story and I'm sticking to
it.
Photo from Robert Jackson |
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Here is a photo of young Dave Lawson at
about 2 years of age. They call him Derringer Dave, but the gun in his hand
sort of looks like a Ruger .22 MK-II to me. I guess the PC crowd will freak out
at this photo.
Photo by
Dave Lawson
In James R. Garden's own words, "I
came across this slide from Xmas 1961. I was a little over 3-1/2 years old here
and my dear godparents got me the Rifleman Gun!!!. My godfather was in the toy
business, although I don't know what he did. You can see my gun had a light
blue barrel. The only part of the gun that was this color was the barrel. I
have never seen one anywhere and was wondering if you might know any history on
this? (editor: Anybody?) Since my godfather was in the business, it wouldn't
surprise me if he had acess to a prototype." (This is his mom.) |
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Ahhhh! Here's one now! Jim
Turner at 9. He has a Nichols gun strapped to his side. He says the chimney
behind him was built by his ancestors in Virginia in 1760.
Photo credit by Jim
Turner |
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By golly, there's another
one! Roger Turner at 5. He has (probably) a Hubley Texan gun. Though he's
building roads and diggin' in the dirt, you never know when the Bad Guys will
come.
Photo credit by Jim
Turner |
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And Cowgirls!!! What would
we do without them? (I don't want to find out!)
Judy Sinkular in 1951.
About my age!
Photo credit by Judy Sinkular of I SELL
NEAT STUFF. Thanks! |
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Kids used to want to grow
up to be a cowboy. Some serious gear here. Watch him! His hand is close to his
shootin' iron.
Photo credit by Dave
Denton |
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Can you imagine how proud
this Young Buckaroo was
when he got this photo? Folks, this frame is ULTRA
RARE!!!
The boy's name is Lou Tosha from Alliance,Ohio.
He was 10 when
this was taken.
Photo credit by Jim Manning of JM
Toys
And here is another young
cowboy, dressed up as Hopalong Cassidy. Believe it or not, I never had a
complete cowboy suit like this. How much fun can you get?
Photo thanks to Larry
Johnston! |
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And here's another fine
young buckaroo, all dressed up in his Hoppy suit. Just look at that face. Have
you ever seen anybody more proud? |
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 Here is a photo from
our favorite...
Toy Gun Collectors
of America
newsletter at the Marx Museum in Glen Dean West
Virginia.
CLICK TO ENLARGE
Photo credit to J Harold Utley
(one of our advertisers!) |
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Once again we see little
kids sporting "shootin' irons." The little Buckaroo on the left is Jim Manning
wearing his Hopalong Cassidy Single Holster outfit in 1951. My age! On the
right we see his brother Paul. (Oh, and of course, Uncle Bob!)
Photo credit to Jim
Manning. |
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(L) Eddie & (R) Troy
Greenwood, from 1961. They are armed with Parris Kadet Civil War Cap Gun
Muskets & Bayonets, along with Bowie Knife, Tomahawk, and Packs, guarding
the Northern portion of the Mojave Desert.
Photo credit to Troy Greenwood.
Thanks! |
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Shooting the "Bad Guy"
at the Fast Draw Contest this past November at the Dean Smith Celebrity Rodeo
and John Wayne Cancer benefit in Abilene Texas |
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And to the Victor go
the Spoils!!! Here is the proud winner. Bob, send me his name! Kids like this
will become good citizens in spite of what the liberals say! |
Ah, we have the Boys
against the Girls. No matter what most people think, girls are usually quicker.
And smarter and prettier. Notice the cowgirl ringing the bell!
Photo
credits to Bob Terry of Wild West Toys. Thanks! |
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Photo credit to Dave Albert.
Thanks! |
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Aren't these a hoot? This is Timothy
McCoy, sometime before 1949. I wish I had a little plane like that--that would
fit me! |
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Cowboy Dan Tillman on his 12th birthday
in 1956. His uncle (and Mom) worked for Uncle Talley at the Jacksonville plant
and his father R.W. helped clear the land for the plant. |
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A rough saloon with some young desperados.
The left picture on the wall is Dwight Nichols, son of Talley W.
Nichols
Photo contribution by Robert
Nichols |
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And here is a photo of 3 of my cousins
(John in the middle, mentioned quite a few times in this website) from 1950.
L-R: BG (Billie Gwen), John and Kathie Jo Yocom. And it's a pretty horse too.
Kathie looks like she might be crying, but if you knew her better, she just
might have been singing! What a voice! Happy days!
Photo contribution by BG (Yocom)
Coulter |
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This here's "Cow Pie" (on the left, really
Russell Lafond–with a Cap Gun) and "Chicken Feed" (on the right, really
Paul Lafond, his grandfather–with a real Marlin) obviously guarding the
Wells Fargo strong box from outlaws.
Photo
contribution by Mike Lafond
Here's a nice photo, taken Christmas
day, 1950, in Weatherford, Texas. The location is the home of Joseph's maternal
grandparents, Dr. & Mrs. H.V. Justice, and they are in the picture. The
younger boy is his brother James Pilliod (age 6-1/2), the girl is his cousin,
Lorainne Justice (Kelley), and he is on the right (age 8 yrs. and 11 months).
You will notice that in addition to the Western Outfits, the boys both have
Nichols Stallion 45's. He says that they are the non-notched versions. Now
folks, this is very close to the beginning of production of that famous Cap
Gun! Notice also that the grandparents aren't the slightest bit concerned about
their grandsons holding, what would appear to any person these days, as real
guns. They knew kids didn't play with real guns and knew the difference. It was
a different (and happier!) day. I personally think that the girl (Lorraine)
looks like a miniature Darryl Hannah from Steel Magnolias (without the
glasses).
Photo contribution by Joseph Pilliod and
family.
Ahhh! This one looks
somewhat familiar. That's me on the cake that was served at the 2008 Vintage
Toy Show in Azle, Texas courtesy of Bob and Johnie Terry, the show's founders.
We had a great time and James Drury, The Virginian was there, as it
shows in the photo below.
Photo
credits to Bob Terry of Wild West Toys. Thanks! |
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Gail Davis was Annie Oakley (who was really
Phoebe Ann Mosey) on the television show. Wasn't she pretty?
Gail Davis was
the leading lady in many Gene Autry movies
and when he went into
television, he hired her to portray Annie Oakley.
This just shows that
collecting Cap Guns and playing like this was for boys AND girls!
And here's the real "Annie
Oakley" (Phoebe Ann Mosey). Plenty of awards, huh?
And here's an
Annie Oakley outfit for the Cowgirls.
Main Office Building ~ Nichols
Industries Circa 1957
Uncle
Talley's office is straight ahead, front door. The engineering section
is
on the far right. Upstairs is the design office, Mr. Bill Simpson in charge.
A few years later the second floor was added to the rest of the
building.
There are several other buildings spread around the grounds and
there
is even an airfield located on the far backside of the premises.
Thanks Troy Greenwood for this
photo!
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