The Belt Buckle Derringer by Mattel
Posted: Tuesday, June 08, 2010
by Dave Potchak
PO's Peek at the Past
I have no idea what the developers at Mattel Toy Corporation were thinking in the early sixties, but by today's standards, they may have been begging for a lawsuit of some sort. The toy derringer, pictured below, was similar in size to an authentic Remington gun, from which its style was taken.
A gray plastic bullet, spring-loaded in a brass metal shell, could be fired from either a belt-buckle setting or from a hand-held position. The projectile had a range of only about 12 to 15 feet, but the direction it would take was anyone's guess. The bullet was similar in size to a .22 long rifle slug.
Any lad growing up in the sixties might remember this toy and how it operated. For me, one memorable derringer event is as clear today as it was the moment it took place.
Dad was half asleep on the couch a rarity around our household. It must have been a Sunday evening, because I don't recall Dad taking naps much during the work week, unless he was totally asleep due to his shift schedule at the mill.
"Dad, can I shoot you in the stomach?" I asked, while holding the derringer no further than 18 inches from his white tee shirt.
"Sure," he replied. "Just be careful."
The Good Lord only knows why that bullet came out of that gun barrel and made a dead-center hit in my dad's half-opened eye, but it did. For a split second, I thought all would be okay since I did get permission before firing the toy. I was wrong. The smack I got was mild, though, probably because Dad was half asleep and no doubt still partially blinded by the cartridge.
At the tender age of 10, I still realized, "This is not fair."
"That derringer is defective," I thought to myself. Meanwhile Dad must have figured that I flinched or purposely moved the gun before I shot. Either way, he was not happy I had ruined his relaxation time.
A few months later, Dad was on the same couch in pretty much the same position and half awake as before. This time, however, my brother was playing with an old hand-cranked can opener while lying on the floor in front of Dad. The heavy opener must have been replaced by one of the first automatic ones in our household. My brother, six years younger than I at the time, was twirling that archaic tool like a helicopter when it slid from his grasp and struck Dad right between the eyes on his forehead.
When I heard the thud and witnessed what had happened, I thought for sure someone would now die because of this.
But when Dad closed his eyes and fell asleep, my shock changed to worry as I thought my brother must have knocked my dad out with that machine of massive metal.
My brother made a beeline for the bedroom, Dad kind of grunted, and I was left realizing once again, "This is not fair."
Somehow we all managed to survive those days -- the heavy metal machines, the quick wrath of Dad, and even the malicious Mattel toys. Those two unjust lessons I experienced helped me prepare for the future as I learned that life in general is not fair a lot of the time.
I continued to play with that derringer for a long while -- along with my cork-shooting rifle, bean-shooting pipe, cap pistols, and slingshot, too, but I don't recall ever shooting at any human targets again.
We hear so much today about how violence in society might be subtly learned through video games, computer images, and what kids see in movies and on TV. We had our share of violent toys, too, so I'm not convinced the problem lies in toys or video images. I am sure of one thing; Dad owes my brother a licking.
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More commentsOK, I took a whole 'nother thing out of this. I enjoyed the whole fair/unfair thing you had going. It's every parent's struggle to be "fair" to their multiple offspring and probably no matter how hard you try they all think you were unfair. Your dad was lucky you asked before you shot him in the eye!thanks, Jean, only trying to tell an old story,..nothing more,... I honestly don't know how you deal with running this site though,..life simply does not have to be this complicated,... regards, DaveSome days it feels like having 5,000 bickering children... :)Maybe I WAS LUCKY THAT I ASKED,.my dad if I could shoot him, .lol,..or my smack would have been worse,...DaveHey, sorry to be a bickering kid. You're right. I have a headache today and I guess I took it out on all of you. Sorry. But good story, anyway!Sherry
Really good story. Brings back memories. Things really did seem simpler then. Great writing, Dave.Thanks, off to take a nap on a rainy day, too much excitement for my heart valves,..lol...
From a guy who was there a half century ago, I also say good story, Dave Po. I have always enjoyed the "growing ups" of this fine writer. Po has always entertained with great stories from the past.tom66
Dave, I loved your story and all your stories. I can put myself in most of them. Of course, we came from towns 3 miles apart and did the same stupid things as kids. LOL
Interesting, very interesting article and comments!Dave, I've been a fan since I started reading your stories several years ago. Through those true life, down home, and mostly humorous stories, I've seen glimpses of my own childhood. I think ever once and awhile we all like to go home again, to a wonderful place where we first experienced the adventure of life. On a personal note, I admire you as a giving person with many talents for helping others. As a child of God, a son, husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach, friend, and charity organizer, you make lives richer. We need more men of your caliber and character. I enjoy being your friend and look forward to your next story or adventure. Gaylord Wayne Little (I used words instead of stars)
Very interesting article! I learned some interesting information that I didn't know before.
very interesting David.
I thought this article was well written and can definitely see why your ratings were so high from so many people.
:) Great story. Isn't it funny how as children we think life isn't fair, my kids are always saying that...and yet they really have no idea yet.True Amy, thanks for your comments, Dave Potchak, SW author
It ws a capital offense in our house when I was growing up to wake up Dad. Now shooting him in the eye, I am sure I never would have lived to see Eisenhower elected.AS it was in our home too. Had Dad been sleeping in the bedroom between shifts at the mill, we were either outside, or we remained as quiet as a mouse. Making noise was not tolerated if Dad was sleeping. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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