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Well, Gene Autry was about as famous a Cowboy as you could possibly get. "The Singing Cowboy" he was called. And he did sing "Rudoph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" that we all love. But he was more than that to millions of kids. To them he was an icon of Saturday mornings and a force for Good on the Silver Screen.

When our heroes like Gene Autry disappeared from TV and the movies, then the Cap Gun industry was DOOMED!!! It took awhile to realize it, but finally we noticed that the kids who were playing with Cap Pistols were getting younger and younger, and companies that made the guns were making them smaller and smaller, for the younger set were not as discriminating as the older ones had been.

The next thing you knew, the Cap Gun companies were going out of business. Now they are antiques and some of us older folks are wondering, "why in the world didn't we take more care of those wonderful toys of yesteryear?"

Several different companies made Gene Autry Cap Guns, like Kenton, Buzz Henry, Leslie-Henry, Marx and Keyston Brothers. Maybe others...I'm sure you will tell me. And, of course, send me some wonderful photos!


OTHER BRANDS OF CAP GUNS





Here is Gene Autry in the Kenton Hardware Plant, August 8, 1938 with Monette Whitmore. She is showing him how the gun was assembled. Bob Bailey now owns the gun in the picture.


Gene Autry and a molder at the Kenton Hardware Company on August 8, 1938

Photos thanks to Hardin County Museums
and Sondra Bixler Elliot, daughter of Lewis Bixler, Jr., treasurer of the Kenton Hardware Company.
CLICK ON PHOTOS TO SEE FULL PHOTOS



Another photo of the Singing Cowboy
Thanks to David Denton of The Antique Cowboy
One of our many advertisers!

(CLICK ON PHOTO FOR ANOTHER PHOTO!)



Gene Autry Cap Gun by Leslie-Henry
Right View Left View
Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!
All photos thanks to David Denton of The Antique Cowboy
One of our many advertisers!
This is one of the most valuable Gene Autry Cap Guns that there is! Made by Leslie-Henry around 1950-1960, we all just wish we had been smart enough to buy a few cases! Beautiful gold finish and high-relief black grips with a horse's head on them. Truly a wonderful find and if that isn't enough, then there always the box, which is worth more money than most people's collections these days!

Gene Autry Cap Gun by Kenton
Right View The "Singing Cowboy" probably had more Cap Guns made for him than any other TV and Western star—except for Roy Rogers.

Here is a signed example of a gun made by Kenton. You will notice that this gun was submitted by Mike Sadzo of Belgium. This shows that the Cap Gun hobby is really an international hobby and has collectors from all over the world!


Right Breakdown
Left View Left Breakdown
Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!
All photos thanks to Mike Sadzo of Belgium!







"The Singing Cowboy" photo submitted by
Jim Manning of JM Cap Guns & Toys. Thanks!

(One of our advertisers!)



Here's a genuine Gene Autry Hunting knife (made out of rubber).
from Doug Hamilton





Now here's a mighty nice set of Leslie-Henry Cap Guns and a fine double holster set!
David Denton of The Antique Cowboy. Thanks!

(One of our advertisers!)


Gene Autry Gun by Leslie-Henry
This excellent Cap Gun appears to be what Jim Schleyer calls the GA-24 in his wonderful book, Backyard Buckaroos. However, the box doesn't have the same scrollwork as the gun!
I still wish I had one!

Nice photo thanks to Dan Morphy of Morphy Auctions. Thanks!



Gene Autry Cap Gun by Kenton
Right View Kenton made the same gun in several styles with a few variations here and there.

Here is another one of that series of guns, submitted by Robert Runge.


Right Breakdown
Left View Left Breakdown
Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!
All photos thanks to Robert Runge

Leslie-Henry Gene Autry .44
Right Side Now here's a "Dirty Harry" gun before there was a "Dirty Harry." (I love Clint Eastwood movies!!!)
A Leslie-Henry Gene Autry .44.

Actually the .44 was a common size gun, even in the old days. It just didn't have the serious Smith & Wesson power you are thinking about. But Leslie-Henry made a fine Cap Gun.


Right Close-Up
Left Side Cap Area
Be Sure To Click On The Thumbnails!
All photos thanks to Larry & Marilyn Tanneberg. Thanks!!!
Below we have the Singing Cowboy and our .44




Here's a nice "Ranch Outfit" boxed, double holster set featuring a pair of the Leslie-Henry .44 Cap Guns. Gene's horse Champion is on the grips.

Kudos and thanks to Jim Manning, one of our advertisers on the Dealers Page!




In his own words, "I happened to be in Kenton, OH last week on business. Took a picture of this nice painting of Gene Autry on the side of a building there."

Thanks to Glenn Marx for this nice photo




It would probably be wise to save anything having to do with Gene Autry. A good investment!

Thanks to David Denton, one of our advertisers on the Dealers Page!




(Hey, We're going to emphasize
EVERY SINGLE ADVERTISER AND THEIR PRODUCTS
that lists with us!)


Visit the Dealers & Collectors from whom you can get these fine Nichols Cap Guns! (and other FINE TOYS!)
We will be happy to list toy shows and the like (free), if you will please send them to me at: .
Should you have some nice photos and/or some text, please send them to me at: .

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