c.1935 Hoge, No.50 Junior Tommy Gun in Original Box
Over the years I've only seen a handful of the Junior Tommy Machine Gun manufactured by Hoge in working condition. This example in excellent+ to near mint condition, grades as the best I've seen. It comes complete with its original box which the only one I've seen for the toy. The toy is a combination of pressed steel with polished tin surfaces (gun grips, frame, barrel, and site), plus a lithographed steel bullet cannister. The toy is battery operated. To insert the batteries the front half of the bullet cannister is carefully pulled away from the rear section. It uses two "C" cell batteries. Just squeeze the trigger to generate a rapid "click-click-click" sound. Simultaneously the red light at the tip of the barrel, which is original to the toy, flashes on and off. One of the neatest things about this toy is its internal design. The clicking sound is created by, believe it or not, an electromagnetic telegraph. Current flows from the wiring through the batteries to a small magnet. Charging of the magnet reverses its attraction. Exactly like a telegraph, the raising and dropping of the metal "key" occurs whenever current is alternated (on/off). The "raising and dropping" is the clicking sound you hear. However, in order to get the barrel bulb to flash, the front and rear halves had to be wired together. It can be a little tricky inserting the batteries while making sure that the wires don't pull out. As long as you have three hands its easy. I've never had a problem by first laying it on a table. The original set of paper instructions still adhere to the inside of the front bullet cannister. The surface rust that you see in the 5th photo down, behind the instruction sheet is normal for any raw steel surface. The box was illustrated with an odd drawing of kiddie cadets wearing braided uniforms and carrying swords. The kid in front shoots off a few rounds with the Tommy Gun while his buddies look on. I'd love to know what they're supposed to be looking at. The image was used on all four box panels. The endflaps include the toy name, manufacturer name and address and toy catalog number. Hoge also produced a larger "Tommy Gun" with front and rear grips which sold for $1.00. Size: 9½" long with 5" diameter bullet cannister. Sold: Jul. 2008
Price Sold: $ 191
