Stevens Toy Cap Guns

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Mike Nichols
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The J. and E. Stevens Company of Cromwell, Connecticut was a very old company. They were making toy guns before most of the other companies were formed.

They made some very old cast iron models that were pre-World War II—some were in the 19th Century! After World War II they started making die-cast Cap Guns just like everybody else. But they didn't have much innovation and besides, as you already know, the "Glory Days" of the Cap Gun Industry were getting ready to be over in the mid-sixties anyway. So the Stevens Company went the way of the "tumblin' tumbleweeds."

NICHOLS GUNS
(in Uncle Talley's order)




	Rare Gang Buster Cast Iron Cap Guns









	This gun was made by Stevens in 1935. It rates a three for rarity in Best's book. It is a single shot in pretty much mint condition. On top of all that, this one has a dummy hammer. Thanks to Dave Klahn of The Ten Gallon Hat

Here's a couple of Rangers that have the same exact frame style as the Gang Buster above. This style of gun happened to be cast iron, by the way.

Thanks to Richard Aldridge

Though this is not a really expensive Cap Gun, it is actually quite rare. There are hardly any Cap Guns with "Trigger" on them. This one was made around 1957 or so.

Thanks to John Coatney for this photo.




	Stevens Sea Serpent Cap Gun from 1890














	This Cap Gun is about as weird as it gets, but it's still a Cap Gun. From about 1890. It's 12 years older than my good friend Evie Wooten, who is 109 when I put this up (2011). All photos by Andrew Teleki Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!




	Stevens Big Chief











	You don't see this Cap Gun very often, but I don't think it is that rare. It might just be an example of one produced late in the company's life and so people don't think about it much. All photos by Rick Lynch Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!

This is a Stevens Jumbo and it comes with an original holster.

Thanks to Andrew Teleki for this photo.




	Stevens Pioneer



				This is a seldom-seen Stevens Cap Gun from the 1950's, and while not considered a very valuable gun, it is very ususual. Thanks to Doug Hamilton for these photos!










	Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!




	Another Stevens Pioneer











	Here's another slightly different version (really only the grips) of the Pioneer, but I especially wanted to show you the box. All photos by Rick Lynch Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!




	Stevens Repeater







	“Stevens Repeater” Cast Iron Cap Gun, made in 1930. Cap Pistol is approximately 6-1/4 long. Gun has “Stevens Repeater,” “Mammoth Cap” and “Made in U.S.A.” stamped on the sides. This is an excellent example of this Cap Gun. Photos thanks to Toy Gunslinger




	Stevens 1923 Bull Dog (cast-iron)







	Please Click On Each Thumbnail For An Enlarged View! Here is the rarer chrome version in some nice photos from David Denton of The Antique Cowboy.




	Stevens Hammerless Cap Gun







	Here is a rare cast-iron Cap Gun from about 1892, according to Logan/Best, who give it a three star rarity rating. It is 7 1/4" in length, and multishot, double action, with a wheel of five separate triggers, and a breech having ports on either side where (perhaps) a string of caps may be pulled through. There is scroll and floral design on the hammer cover and body, and dragons with pointed tongues and tails on both sides of the grip. How's this for unusual? From the collection of Frank Morrison




	Stevens Cast-Iron Spit Fire



				Well, there's a 2nd Cap Gun named Spit Fire. Although this came first, it has basically the same name as the little rifle by Nichols. This one is named after the famous British fighter plane during World War II. Thanks to Doug Hamilton for these photos!










	Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!

And here's what the box for that Spit Fire looked like.

Thanks to Doug Hamilton for these photos!




	Stevens Pawnee Bill







	You sometimes have to wonder, "How can a company makes so many guns that look alike?" Well, I guess the same would apply to airplanes. After all, most of them have the big wing in the front and the little wing in the tail. This Cap Gun was named for Maj. G. W. "PB" Lillie, western showman. They say that this little gun also comes in a gold finish. It is a cast-iron Cap Gun from 1940. Thank you Ed Manes

My goodness, here IS the gold version. And not just one of them, but two of them. These are (again) from our friend Chuck Quinn's vast collection.

Here's the Pawnee Bill box, again from Chuck's vast collection.

Here is a cast-iron Scout Cap Gun from 1890. This is moderately rare and obviously in great shape.




	Stevens 1938? Big Scout







	Since this Cap Gun doesn't have the same ornate scrollwork as the one below, one would naturally assume that it came first. At least the usual trend was that fancier version always came later. You tell me. Photos by Chuck Quinn BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS TO SEE BIGGER PHOTOS!




	Stevens Big Scout and Box







	Here is a cast-iron Big Scout from Tom Coates, but as you might be able to read, the box is for the gold finish gun. Another one of those variations on a theme. This highly scrolled gun is from 1940. Thank you Tom Coates!


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