1952 - Flash Gordon Space Outfit W/ Plastic Rocket Water Gun by Esquire Novelty Co

[Joe K.]

The dated cover:

 

http://thmb.inkfrog.com/thumbn/overload/1toy52cat1.jpg=600

 

This close-up:

 

http://thmb.inkfrog.com/thumbn/overload/1toy52cat8.jpg=600

 

Couldn't find any printed reference material for this outfit with the possible exception of the vest. See Blast off!, page 200. The picture is described as being of "The Flash Gordon vest by Esquire Novelity, 1951."

 

However, in this related 1952 TIMELINE thread, Phil R. shows a couple of the outfit items, including the water pistol:

 

http://danefield.com/alpha/forums/index.php?showtopic=6118

 

Thanks, Phil!

[Tinman]

Pictures:

[dratomic]

Awesome catch on that water gun, Joe. I had NO IDEA it was that old. That particular one was also sold on its own -- no idea which came first, or for how long it was produced. I've seen it in gold, silver, and translucent red.

[Phil R]

here are the photos of the costume set and box and the copper version of the ray gun and holster.

[Joe K.]

Here's another 1952 sighting of the Flash Gordon Space Outfit as seen in this Firestone Christmas 1952 catalog:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/bookminer/fsc.jpg

and:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/bookminer/fsc3.jpg

This sighting also confirms the 1952 date for the Jet Zoom Gun by Tigrett Enterprises.

[Blechroboter]

Here's another 1952 sighting of the Flash Gordon Space Outfit as seen in this Firestone Christmas 1952 catalog:

and:

This sighting also confirms the 1952 date for the Jet Zoom Gun by Tigrett Enterprises.

[Fineas J. Whoopie]

Another pic for reference.

[Blaze Atoms]

Just wanted to put a note here for future reference that right now the only one of these up on eBay is going for $750. Probably not the kind of thing I'd get even with a much fatter toy budget, but definitely neat.

[Joe K.]

Here's another 1952 sighting, this time in an Alden's Christmas Book:

Item #3 is described as a 3-PC SET but with no mention of the Flash Gordon name.

Item #7 is described as the FLASH GORDON OUTFIT complete with holster, ray-water gun and compass.

Note that the gun in the holster and the one in the child's right hand does not look like the 500 shot water gun 

normally seen with that holster/compass. It has a long barrel and is held in the holster differently.

So, was this a variation produced and sold in 1952? Perhaps only available with the complete Outfit set?

A color image from an unidentified catalog: