Clothes pin gun

[asemery]

I am dating myself this toy was popular with my my Boy Scout troop
back in the early 50's. If our parents ever knew about it they never stopped us.
Uses small paper wads, dried peas,wooden match bits, etc. as ammunition. Caution - although this can be considered a toy the ammunition is fired with force and can really sting. Can put your eye out.
Step 1. Assemblying the zapper
Take clothes pin apart and file (or cut) a right angle in the spring groove of one side of the pin as shown. Reassemble the pin using a rubber band as shown.
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Step 2. Cocking the zapper
Place the spring on the outside of the zapper as shown. Push on the inside bar of the spring (I used the half of another cclothes pin) until the bar rests in the right angle notch you filed in step one. Place ammunition where indicated
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Step 3. Firing the zapper
The barrel of the spring serves as the trigger. Pull the barrel towards the rubber band so that the inside bar of the springs pops out of the right angle notch.The bar will send the ammunition flying. Be careful where you aim the zapper.

[kyratshooter]

Brings back memories of my very irritated Mom dragging half a basket of wet clothes back in the house screaming "What is happening to all my clothes pins?"

My little brother ratted me out and my allowance that week went to the purchase of a new bag of pins.

[asemery]

We often broke the heads off strike-anywhere marches and used that as ammunition. The striking spring bar ignited the match head as it flew forward. Very unsafe

[Seniorman]

We often broke the heads off strike-anywhere marches and used that as ammunition. The striking spring bar ignited the match head as it flew forward. Very unsafe

We did the same. I don't think we started any fires but I do not know why we didn't. Such a long time ago...

S.M.

[Graf]

Guess I’m not understanding how this actually works

[asemery]

Guess I’m not understanding how this actually works

The lower photo on the left shows the spring in its resting position. It wants to return to that position. When you nudge the barrel of the spring the bar is released from its tensioned position (lower photo-right) and returns to its resting spot. Any small object in its path is propelled forward.

[Antonyraison]

hahahhahaah... I am pretty positive did the same thing as a kid.
Dont know how it helps to survive, but sure as heck is fun to make and play with