This was dug at the same time as Breezies Sambo Cap Gun

[creskol]

This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

She suggested that I send it off for appraisal. I just got the appraisal back, and while the appraiser really doesn't know what it is, he placed a value on it of $400.oo - $800.oo

 

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[Breezie]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

Hmmm, You did a great piece of research there. BUT, even though I shouldn't do this at my age, I'm going to crawl out on a limb here. Please, don't shake the tree.

I tend to feel that the "modern game" shown here might have been a "revival variant" on the old game. My logical thinking keeps telling me that if an iron ball were being used, and if the fit is as close as it appears to be in the "Modern" one, it would be very difficult for a small child to pick it up.

Anyway, it's something to ponder.

Eagle

P.S. You're very welcome!!

Eagle, we're in basically the same tree! As I posted above, I think Creskol's is the older 1880's model, and the one I pictured is from the late 1940's to the 1950's. If you will notice the small print: It says, 'You can remove the ball from Sambo's mouth, but no one else can do it.' It's a trick type "puzzle." I'm assuming there was a magnet under the bottom, and when someone tried to lift the ball, they couldn't do it because of the magnet and tight quarters. Whenever you picked up the puzzle, you would secretly remove the magnet, thus being able to pick up the ball.

Back in the 50s there were lots of these 'trick type puzzles.' Things like exploding cigarette loads, handshake buzzers, snapping chewing gum packs, etc.

Okay, I'm climbing down from the tree now and headed to the dentist. Ya'll play 'til I get back. Breezie

 

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[IronSpike]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

Cool relic Creskol Both pieces found in the same hole?

 

[creskol]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

Cool relic Creskol Both pieces found in the same hole?

Thanks Iron Spike! The ball was with it when I dug it.

 

[EagleDown]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

It's a trick type "puzzle." I'm assuming there was a magnet under the bottom, and when someone tried to lift the ball, they couldn't do it because of the magnet and tight quarters. Whenever you picked up the puzzle, you would secretly remove the magnet, thus being able to pick up the ball.
Back in the 50s there were lots of these 'trick type puzzles.' Things like exploding cigarette loads, handshake buzzers, snapping chewing gum packs, etc.
Breezie

Yeppers, I had a couple of "trick type puzzles" back in the late 40's and early 50's.
Of course, back in the 1800's, I would think it would have been more of a game to kill time. I don't recall hearing much about trick puzzles from that era. Besides, I don't think a magnet would work well with cast iron. (Or, is it pewter?) Well, in any case, I spent over 2 hours on the 'net looking for it with no luck. So, I'll back out now to lick my wounds.

I'll keep track of this thread just in case someone does come up with an answer.

Eagle

 

[Nana40]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

Now that's a very unique find. 8) Will make for quite a conversation piece! Breezie's ID seems spot on, but wouldn't throwing an iron ball seem a bit harsh? I'd be afraid of breaking it. :P Very cool find, C!

Congrats! Nana

 

[Roland58]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

Creskol,
Yours, too, is a terrific find and deserves honors. What I can't understand is how the appraiser could put a replacement cost of $800 on it when he has never seen one before and could find no reference to it! That would make yours a "one of a kind" and priceless, in my mind.

I believe the "trick" to removing the ball was to blow across the top of it......the curved upper surface would create lift and remove the ball. I do imagine the iron ball would take a much heftier puff than the plastic pearl on the modern day replicas.

 

[{Sentinel}]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

That's a Terrific piece as is Breezie's Sambo Gun. I terrific price for such a scarce piece, Congrats

 

[diggummup]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

EDIT- I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE READ THE WHOLE POST BEFORE POSTING THIS. NONETHELESS HERE IT IS.

Nice find creskol. I can't put a value on it but I can identify it for you. A typical African American Stereotyped image from the early 1900's. It's called a "jolly --deleted--" puzzle. I am surprised that the people that appraised it couldn't figure it out. It took me about 2 minutes. I hope you didn't pay much for the "appraisal". Supposedly the ball fits in the mouth in such a way that it extremely difficult to remove, while it is sitting on a flat surface. I have found an advertisement from 1929 that depicts one.It's from a Johnson Smith and Company Catalogue.

 

[creskol]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

EDIT- I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE READ THE WHOLE POST BEFORE POSTING THIS. NONETHELESS HERE IT IS.

Nice find creskol. I can't put a value on it but I can identify it for you. A typical African American Stereotyped image from the early 1900's. It's called a "jolly --deleted--" puzzle. I am surprised that the people that appraised it couldn't figure it out. It took me about 2 minutes. I hope you didn't pay much for the "appraisal". Supposedly the ball fits in the mouth in such a way that it extremely difficult to remove, while it is sitting on a flat surface. I have found an advertisement from 1929 that depicts one.It's from a Johnson Smith and Company Catalogue.

Thanks Dig .. Yes, as Breezie said, the concept is the same. Since all this discussion ensued, I, too, have seen many variations of the same, some bright metal as in the description given in your advertisement, some made out of different colored plastics, ones like Breezie posted, etc. but look at the details by comparison. Not saying it is, but perhaps .. just perhaps .. mine is (as Breezie said again), "the real deal" and if so, perhaps that is the reason for the higher appraisal. Old, new, ancient, or otherwise, I think it is a pretty cool and unique find, and it holds it's place in the display case.

 

[Roland58]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

I did a lot of searching for the solution to the puzzle to no avail. Does anyone know the trick?

 

[Breezie]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

I did a lot of searching for the solution to the puzzle to no avail. Does anyone know the trick?

Here ya go:

Place head and ball flat on a table. Ask someone to remove the ball from the head. After they have tried fruitlessly for a while, you remove it easily. With the forefinger and the thumb, press down on the steel ball until a suction is formed by your fingers. Simply raise your fingers ----- and the ball easily comes out as a result of the suction. Do not try to lift.

Creskol, you'll have to try it and let us know if it works. Breezie

 

[steelheadwill]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

Awesome piece! congrats & thanks for showing!!

 

[Roland58]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

Thanks Breezie! With that solution, it would probably help to have some good hand lotion on, my dry aged hands probably wouldn't work!! :P

 

[johnnyblaze]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

Very cool rare find


Blaze

 

[Theakiki]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

Great treasure!

That's so wonderful that you recovered both pieces to the two part unit!

 

[gleaner1]

Re: This was dug at the same time as Breezie's Sambo Cap Gun

creskol very cool find when I first saw it I though the shot was about billiard-ball size or even bigger, can you post a pic of it next to a coin so we can get a good feel for the size?

 

[paulb104]

I'm a little late to this party, but here's a more modern version, and by late I mean early 1900's. Our description of it was this "Sambo Puzzle w/ Steel Ball Probably from the Adams Co. In a homemade box w/ instructions." We sold it for $30.


We also have two of the originals, without the balls. One has writing underneath. I think it says J.B. Depabe, but who knows. They feel like cast iron, and they're not magnetic.

Here's the one with the writing


...and the other one.