Kenton Toy Cap Guns

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Mike Nichols
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	Kenton is one of the older Cap Gun companies and made a lot of character models—especially Gene Autry models. They made other models, but they are probably most famous for their Gene Autry models. Gene Autry was SO POPULAR that they made many variations on the same gun theme. But, I guess they all sold, for many of them are still in existence. Most of these are cast-iron and only later did they get into the die-casting business.




	Gene Autry in Copper








	This is a rare stranger to most of you. The Gene Autry Cap Gun, but in COPPER! I bet there aren't many of these out there, so try as you might, you won't be seeing this one in very many places—except on this website. The "Gene Autry" (in script) is almost upside down and the reason is that when you put it into the specially made holsters, then it showed right-side up! See the example with the holster on Chuck Quinn's collection page. Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails! The photos are thanks to Chuck Quinn.




	Kenton Gene Autry First Model w/ Long Barrel







	Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails! Photos Above Thanks To Eldon Hanley



	Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails! The above 2 photos thanks to Diane Dutcher

	Another nice box thanks to Morphy Auctions and Dan Morphy!

Here's the same gun as pictured above, but with the signature on the marbled grips. It's hard to tell, but it seems to have a shorter barrel.
Photo Thanks to Doug Hamilton

Here's another photo of this nice Gene Autry Cap Gun in the dark finish with a really nice box.
Photo thanks to our good friend Jim Manning.

And here's the same basic Cap Gun—but in BRASS!!! The black on there (I guess) is just patina and you could get a can of Brasso and polish this one up to a nice U.S. Navy shine (reminded me of faucets in boot camp and belt buckles). Scott says that it is all brass except for the cap pusher (pawl) and springs.
CLICK ON ABOVE PHOTO TO SEE ANOTHER ONE SHOWING MORE BRASS
Photo thanks to Scott Cushwa.




	Another Kenton Gene Autry First Model of 1938



				Here is another 1938 Kenton Gene Autry. Somebody has really taken good care of this cast-iron Cap Gun and it's one of the rarer polished nickel models. It's hard to believe a Cap Gun made for kids that is that old is still looking this good. Photos by Doug Hamilton














	Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!

Here is the same rare polished nickel model of 1938, but this one is a "dummy" as you can see since Brian opened it up for us. Brian says it has a cast-iron cap pusher.

Photo by Brian Roeder




	Kenton Gene Autry Second Model of 1939



				Here is a nice cast-iron cap gun manufactured by Kenton in the 1939 Pre-War era. This is the second model with pearl grips & the rearing horse with rider on them. It has the long barrel with no scroll work & has the highly polished nickel finish. "Gene Autry" is embossed with a raised signature on the rear of frame. Photos by Doug Hamilton








	Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!




	Kenton Gene Autry 1950 Era







	Here is a Gene Autry Cap Gun that is pretty rare! It was only made from 1950-1952. This one appears to be in pristine condition.



	And here is the same Cap Gun, but with red grips. Photos by Jerry Carney CLICK ON EITHER THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER CLOSE-UP VIEW

	Here is the same basic version of the above Cap Gun, but with some of the standard "signed" Gene Autry grips. This example is obviously in wonderful condition. Thanks again to Morphy Auctions and Dan Morphy!

Here's a great close-up of a "dummy" version of the above Gene Autry model. As you can clearly see, the area under the hammer has been removed so that it won't contact any caps. Personally I think..."What's the point?" I guess there were a few idiot kids who might hold the Cap Gun so close to their eyes that the sparks might get them. I never met anybody that dumb. And I knew kids (personally) who would blow up an entire box of roll caps with a ball-peen hammer. Now that kid has permanent tinnitis. Guess who?

Thanks to Rich Hall.





	Kenton Gene Autry Model From 1938







	This is a Gene Autry model from 1938. It is pretty rare. There is also a model just like this that has a red jewel in the frame just above the grip. Notice also that this particular model has notches on the top of the grip. Very unusual. Many thanks to Bob Hosaluk of Canada for these photos.

As I said before, there are many variations on the basic theme sometimes. This is a 1939 version of the Gene Autry classic. This one is in remarably good shape, considering the year! You will notice that the writing on the grip is just about perfect. It's quite probable that this particular Cap Gun hasn't ever been used at all, for young hands on the grip would surely wear out the signature first. Notice also that this is a short-barreled version.

Thanks to Gerald Witman for this photo.




	Gene Autry Early Dummy Model








	Maybe some parents were worried about their kids being injured by the noise of caps or the sparks or something, but in the old days there were a significant number of "Dummy" Cap Guns made. I think that the person who came up with the concept probably named it after himself. But then, I'm a right-wing radical, according to some. I would like to have this particular gun, but because it is rare. Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails! The photos are thanks to Rick Schmaltz.




	Cast-Iron Gene Autry Kenton Long Barrel Cap Gun





	And here's a rare black version of the same gun.



	Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails! Photos Thanks To David Denton




	Cast-Iron Gene Autry Kenton Long Barrel Cap Gun AND Short Barreled Version







	Here is a contrast in the two barrel lengths. The long barrel is more rare. Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails! Photos Thanks To David Denton

Here is the same gun as above (long barrel version), but in gold and the thing that is the rarest—IS THE BOX!!! Notice that this box has actually been signed by Gene Autry himself!!! This may be the only box of its kind in existence that is signed by the Singing Cowboy.
CLICK ON THUMBNAIL FOR LARGER VIEW!

Thanks to David Denton.




	Gene Autry Set w/ Kenton Long Barrel Cap Guns circa 1948



				Here is, not only a rare set, but a super rare combination of sets! The Cap Guns are a matched set of cast-iron Kenton Gene Autry guns from the late 1940s with the highly prized, highly-polished nickel plated finish. And the double holster set? Well, the guns themselves were enough, but with the holsters, that is just icing on the cake! This is one wonderful set presented by Mr. Doug Hamilton of California.














	All photos thanks to Doug Hamilton Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!




	Gene Autry Cap Gun by Kenton



				Kenton made the same gun in several styles with a few variations here and there. Here is a later model of that series of guns, submitted by Robert Runge.







	Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails! All photos thanks to Robert Runge




	Kenton Bulls Eye







	Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails! Photo Thanks To Tom Coates




	Kenton C-Boy







	Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails! Photo Thanks To Kevin Hoffman of www.civilwarpreservations.com

This is the ultra-rare "Dummy" version of the C-Boy with the pearl grips and GENUINE :-) RUBY. It is called a dummy because it won't fire caps.
Photo contribution by Belinda Quan.

Whomever designed this Cap Gun must have designed by the same guy as the gun pictured above. The basic shape of the frame is identical. Sure, it has a few extra features and lacks plastic grips, but it sure resembles the one above.
Photo by Sara King.


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