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Though "official" channels will tell you that
Pintos were later renamed "Paint," you will actually notice some minor
differences (primarily in the later models) —especially if you have been
lucky enough to have recently purchased one or even better—FOUND
ONE!
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| DON'T FORGET TO SEE
THE OTHER CAP GUN BRANDS! |
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As it shows here, the pinto came in a few
versions. Sometimes it also
was sold with a plastic "holster" for your belt
or leather one like
the one shown. The Pinto on the left is a more rare gold
one and
has the rarer blue grips. A good collector's item. |
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When they first came out with this "little" gun
it was engraved Pinto on the side. A few runs of units were shipped and
immediately Ford Motor Company wrote a trademark infringement letter because
they had just came out with the Pinto automobile. Rather than argue, Nichols
Industries just changed the name to Paint by machining out the Pinto lettering
in the tool and re-engraving Paint over it. The word Paint is on a raised
platform because of this, whereas Pinto was engraved directly into the body of
the gun. To collectors this is important to know, because they really need one
of each for a full collection and the Pinto is more rare. |
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Cute,
huh?
Photo courtesy of "The Bid Getters"
And here's a photo of one I won in an
auction. One thing you might notice that you probably would have missed. The
word "PINTO" is much bigger on the right side than the left, for on the left
side there was less room, due to the pivot for the cylinder to flip down. You
can barely read the word on this side, but on the other side it is very
easy. |
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The Pintos have a little jeweled Circle "N" like
the Stallion 45 MK-II. Cute touch for such a small cap pistol. The paints have
the Circle "N" that is chrome and is part of the frame like you would see on
the Stallion 38 or 32 or most of the other guns.
Well, since the
Pinto was the first one made, then it must be the most valuable and I think it
is. There were several variations made, as seen in the above photo. And they
also came in boxes and on cards—depending on the market to which they were
sold.
I
personally always liked this Cap Pistol, as it was cute, small and elegantly
done. Besides, it would fit in your pocket so that no matter how many times the
Bad Guys searched you, they were likely to miss this extra LITTLE bulge in your
bluejeans. So, after they had taken you prisoner, then you could arrest them
all. And win!
This little Cap Gun was single action only. Pull the hammer
back; it stays. Pull the trigger; it fires. It contained one 2-piece bullet
(brass base by Remington and die-cast bullet with a hole down its center) and a
cylinder that, with the release of a spring-activated lever on the barrel
(forward), it would swing out to the left. The barrel looked on the outside
like it held six bullets, but when you flipped it out, there was the one
standard Stallion 38-type bullet.
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A close-up
of the flip-out cylinder. The shell casing is polished so you can see
it.
A close-up of the barrel
that shows the lever. You push the lever towards the muzzle and it enables the
cylinder to flip out. |
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Here's a couple of nice photos of the gold plated Pinto with
the fancy blue grips.
These photos were submitted by Edwin E. "Woody"
Myers |
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PRICES
(These prices are merely guidelines to help beginners. Experts
don't need help!)
See PRICES for more info on
guidelines. |
| DESCRIPTION |
MINT VALUES |
AVG. VALUES |
| Pinto (Chrome) Either Blk or Wht
Grips |
$45-65 |
$25-40 |
| Pinto (Gold) Turquoise Grips |
$65-95 |
$40-60 |
| Pinto (Chrome) Either Blk or Wht Grips w/ Belt
Clip |
$65-85 |
$45-60 |
| Pinto (Gold) Turquoise Grips w/ Belt
Clip |
$85-115 |
$60-80 |
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| Visit the
Dealers &
Collectors from whom you can get these fine Nichols Cap Guns!
(and other FINE TOYS!) |
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| We will be
happy to list toy shows and the like (free), if you will please send them to me
at: . |
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| Should you
have some nice photos and/or some text, please send them to me at:
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