"Safari" ball gun thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

"Safari" ball gun

Toy Rifle
1957-1962 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Toy rifle, plastic and metal. The stock is brown/black mottled plastic, the barrel is aluminium. On the right side of the rifle is its bolt which, when pulled back, primes the spring firing mechanism. When the trigger is pulled, the rifle fires red plastic balls which are housed in the barrel. The end of the barrel is capped with a brown plastic ring containing a rubber washer. On the left side of the rifle is moulded decoration of two running stags, highlighted with gold paint. The grip and stock are also decorated with gold paint.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Title"Safari" ball gun (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Plastic, aluminium, rubber
Brief description
Toy rifle, Mettoy; Plastic, metal, English 1957-1962
Physical description
Toy rifle, plastic and metal. The stock is brown/black mottled plastic, the barrel is aluminium. On the right side of the rifle is its bolt which, when pulled back, primes the spring firing mechanism. When the trigger is pulled, the rifle fires red plastic balls which are housed in the barrel. The end of the barrel is capped with a brown plastic ring containing a rubber washer. On the left side of the rifle is moulded decoration of two running stags, highlighted with gold paint. The grip and stock are also decorated with gold paint.
Dimensions
  • Length: 88.5cm
  • Height: 14.4cm
  • Depth: 6.3cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Mettoy / Made in Gt. Britain'
  • 'Patent Pending'
Credit line
Given by Major Charles Kirke.
Object history
Given as a Christmas present by the donor's mother, thought to be either 1962 or 1963. Given to the V&A in 1983 [83/1156].
Subject depicted
Associated object
Bibliographic references
  • Mettoy catalogue 1957, p.18 (see MOC/LINE/4/98)
  • Mettoy catalogue 1959, p.A8 (see MOC/LINE/4/98)
Collection
Accession number
MISC.156-1983

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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