This is a waterpistol made by the Toby Toy company in the 1950s. Waterpistols were first designed to simulate aspects of combat without the danger of inflicting serious injuries, appearing in the 19th century and generally being made of metal, looking more like actual firearms. By the 1950s, they began to be replaced by plastic models, which were cheaper to manufacture and sell as pocket money toys. This model promotes itself as firing 150 shots, but modern water pistols, such as the Super Soaker range, have large reservoirs and use air pressure for longer and stronger shots.