The Austin magic pistol is a mythical firearm that is said to possess extraordinary powers. According to legend, this pistol was created in the early 19th century by a skilled blacksmith named Austin. The pistol was said to be forged using secret techniques and infused with mystical properties. The Austin magic pistol is described as having a sleek and elegant design. The pistol was crafted from a combination of rare metals, including silver and obsidian. It featured intricate engravings and symbols that were believed to enhance its magical abilities.
Austin magic pistol
YouTube The Austin Magic Pistol is now considered an actual firearm is several American states.
The Austin Magic Pistol was such a dangerous toy that some American states have since classified it as an actual firearm.
Manufactured in the late 1940s, the Austin Magic Pistol was sold only briefly — and thankfully so. While the projectile-shooting device was designed to fire ping pong balls, it did so with a concerning force that was powered by explosive chemicals.
The momentum generated to deploy the projectile came from the chemical reaction of calcium carbide and water. As a result, children were handling materials that, when mixed, would expand into acetylene gas — and explode. Just dripping some saliva on calcium carbide could result in a fireball.
The Austin Magic Pistol in action.Even with adult supervision, the flaming sparks shooting out of the breech end of the gun were unruly enough to scorch a user’s wrist. The safety of the breech itself was yet another concern.
Acetylene gas is extremely flammable. With children running around backyard barbecues, anyone in the presence of Austin Magic Pistol-wielding kids in the 1940s and 1950s was lucky not to have died in a fire. Many of these guns either ruptured and broke or simply exploded during use.
This vintage throwback to a less responsible time can often be found on eBay.
Just be careful not to blow your face off while using a cheap plastic toy that uses highly flammable gases to shoot ping pong balls.
Virginia vs the Austin Magic Pistol
Recently, a friend sent me a link to a Cracked.com article about vintage toys that would be considered wildly irresponsible by today’s consumer safety standards.
The article itself was a hilarious read but what really caught my attention was the #2 toy on the list; the Austin Magic Pistol. This marvel of 1950’s engineering fired a ping-pong sized plastic ball by igniting the combustible gases generated when you added water to the provided ‘magic crystals.’
Those ‘magic crystals’ were in fact calcium carbide and the resulting combustion was impressive indeed as the video below demonstrates.
This ingenius little device is apparently much sought after by toy collectors and I did a little searching on eBay myself but never found one. As it turns out, I was lucky to have not found one.
While I was doing the research for my article on Virginia’s air gun laws, I discovered that, back in 1950 when the Austin Magic Pistol and its progenitors were all the rage, Virginia passed a law prohibiting the selling or gifting of such toys. Originally passed as § 18.1-347, the law is still on the books at § 18.2-284.
No person shall sell, barter, exchange, furnish, or dispose of by purchase, gift or in any other manner any toy gun, pistol, rifle or other toy firearm, if the same shall, by action of an explosion of a combustible material, discharge blank or ball charges. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. Each sale of any of the articles hereinbefore specified to any person shall constitute a separate offense.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the sale of what are commonly known as cap pistols.
So if you have one of these unique pieces of toy history, don’t sell it to a Virginia resident. You don’t want to have to explain to the other inmates that you were arrested for selling a ‘Magic Pistol.’
It featured intricate engravings and symbols that were believed to enhance its magical abilities. One of the most notable powers of the Austin magic pistol was its ability to shoot bolts of energy. These energy bolts were said to be highly destructive and capable of disintegrating objects with a single shot.
About John Pierce
Monachus Lex is written by Virginia attorney John Pierce. John is a life-long gun rights advocate, an NRA certified instructor and co-founder of the nationwide gun rights group OpenCarry.org.
He has an undergraduate degree in Computer Information Systems, an MBA from George Mason University and is a 2012 Honors Graduate of Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, MN.
Professionally, John is a member of the American Bar Association Second Amendment Civil Rights Litigation Subcommittee and his writings have been published by the ABA Civil Rights Litigation Committee and the ABA Minority Trial Lawyer Committee.
In addition, his open carry advocacy has been featured on Nightline and The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.
Hall of Shame: 5 of the most dangerous toys of all time
Sometimes a toy is dangerous in a way that isn’t obvious at first. For instance, a large flimsy plastic toy doesn’t appear to be a choking hazard, but when it cracks and small fragments start chipping away it suddenly becomes one. On the other hand, there have been some missteps in toy manufacturing and design that strike one as pretty obvious oversights. Here’s a rundown of five painfully obvious toy safety fails.
The pistol was said to be able to unleash these bolts of energy in rapid succession, making it a formidable weapon in the hands of a skilled shooter. In addition to its offensive abilities, the Austin magic pistol was also believed to possess defensive powers. It was said to create a protective shield around its user, making them impervious to harm. This shield was said to be able to withstand even the strongest of attacks, providing the user with unparalleled protection. The Austin magic pistol was shrouded in mystery, and its whereabouts were unknown. Many believed that it was lost or hidden away, waiting for the right person to discover it. Others thought that it was nothing more than a legend, a tale told to inspire and intrigue. While there is no concrete evidence to prove the existence of the Austin magic pistol, its legend continues to capture the imaginations of those who hear it. The idea of a firearm with such extraordinary powers is both thrilling and fascinating. Perhaps someday, someone will uncover the truth behind the Austin magic pistol and unlock its hidden powers once again..
Reviews for "The Austin Magic Pistol: Pushing the Boundaries of Creativity"
1. Jessica - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Austin magic pistol". The characters were underdeveloped and the plot felt incredibly cliché. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and the story lacked depth and originality. It felt like a poor imitation of other fantasy novels I've read. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and uninteresting read.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - "Austin magic pistol" was a complete waste of time. The writing was amateurish and the story was filled with plot holes. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult to take the characters seriously. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with slow and boring parts followed by rushed and confusing scenes. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and captivating fantasy read.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Austin magic pistol" based on the positive reviews I had read, but it fell flat for me. The world-building was lackluster and the magic system was poorly explained. The story lacked originality and failed to engage me. I found myself skimming through paragraphs as I struggled to maintain interest. Overall, it was a disappointing read that didn't live up to its potential.
4. Peter - 2/5 stars - "Austin magic pistol" had an intriguing concept, but the execution was lackluster. The storytelling felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. The dialogue was often cheesy and the action scenes were poorly described, making it hard to visualize what was happening. The pacing was off, with slow build-ups that didn't lead to satisfying payoffs. Unfortunately, I was left underwhelmed by this book.