c.1935 Marx, G-Man Sparkling Pop Pistol in Original Box
Magnificent pressed steel sparkling pop pistol with jet black, high gloss enamel finish. It includes 100% of its original Marx G-Man color decal. A very scarce toy in amazing pristine mint condition. Never publicly sold or used. This was a single owner toy purchased from the estate of a long-time Marx employee. It's never been played with and still pops and sparks with its original flint! Just as amazing.... it comes complete with its spectacular, original illustrated box. Superbly crafted toy right down to the embossed cross-hatched grips. It features the look, feel, and weight of what a 1930's kid would believe a G-Man gun should be. Notice that it was not manufactured with a trigger guard for rapid firing without pinching. A gentle squeeze on the heavy gauge steel trigger easily clicks off a loud "pop" and sends sparks flying out the barrel. The pistol also comes with its original removable silver, steel barrel band which holds the flints in place. The eyelet underneath the hand grip is actually used as a tool to center the flint onto the band once its been removed.. The original box shows a full panel, three color, illustration of two young lads at gun play (aiming and shooting at each other). The 1930's clothes are just awesome! The drawing is repeated on both panels. The box also includes the earliest type of Marx company logo. It's complete with all six original endflaps firmly attached. This same pistol model was also used by Marx to produce their Dick Tracy and Lone Ranger Sparkling Pop Pistols. Although all three are tough to find, especially with the original box, it's the G-Man version which is the most difficult to locate of the three. The only other mint in box example of this pistol that I'm aware of was sold in 1977 from the stock collection of Louis Marx and Company at the Sotheby Parke-Bernet auction, Lot #280. Size: 8" long and 4" high. Sold: Aug. 2005
Price Sold: $ 307
