So what's wrong with this gun ad?

[IMTHDUKE]

 

[Doogle]

The doll doesn't have its own revolver.

..

 

[los]

The word "encyclopedia" is misspelled.

How ironic.

 

[oboe]

It refers to a revolver, which the girl is holding, and then says six bucks for a "safety hammerless automatic" . . . among other things. The spelling of the word encyclopedia has been an accepted spelling, however. . . and for heaven's sake, "Accidental discharge impossible"? REALLY?! . . . and if they're not toys, why does the girl have one to play with?

 

[KyJim]

Actually the Iver Johnson Safety Automatic Hammerless is a revolver. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iver_Johnson#Safety_automatic_hammerless

 

[Sport45]

Wish we had prices like that today...

Even adjusted for inflation I imagine that is pretty inexpensive.

The girl isn't playing with it. It's laying on the covers and she's leaving it alone as "Papa" probably taught her. I think the ad is pointing out that the gun won't go off by itself. The same thing we still say today...

 

[Sarge]

LOL, Doogie.

Different times.

 

[NavyLT]

Iver Johnnson revolvers don't kill people.... people kill people.

 

[Glenn E. Meyer]

If an earthquake jarred some guns off the table, they might fall down and go off. The Iver supposedly wouldn't do that?

 

[sakeneko]

Ivo, encyclop(ae)dia is a perfectly legitimate spelling of encyclopedia, just an old one that we don't use in America much any more. We've dropped most of the (ae) ligatures over time. I believe that it would still be the preferred spelling in British English.

 

[Cheapshooter]

It refers to a revolver, which the girl is holding, and then says six bucks for a "safety hammerless automatic" . . .

Automatic meant something different when this add was published.
http://www.armorysupply.com/Iver.html

My problem with this add is showing children playing with the gun. No matter how "safe" it is supposed to be. Different times, different thoughts I assume!

 

[moxie]

Having grown up in Leominster, nothing originating in Fitchburg surprises me!

 

[brutay]

It says that Iver Johnson revolvers shoot straight. I owned one before. That's misleading.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I don't believe IJ ever made a gun that shot around corners.
I have seen shooters who could, almost.

 

[RUT]

>>Having grown up in Leominster, nothing originating in Fitchburg surprises me!<<

I too grew up in "Leminsta", and drove tractor-trailer for a couple of years after going to UMASS for a company out of Fitchburg. Iver Johnson was one of my pickups on occasion, when they were still on River St. (I know, I'm dating myself)

 

[Gonzo_308]

I dont think it's really fair to jusge an old ad by todays standards. ads made during different times made spurious claims for all sorts of products.

"Doctor Recommended Lucky Strike is the choice of athletes, it burns cooler and gives pep and energy!"

 

[810wmb]

it's right before your eyes!

the little girl is despondent!

she has shot the little evil looking baby doll. it has, shall we say, passed on. she has figured out this Iver Johnson fellow is a liar and she is plotting her next move.

 

[won-a-glock]

Any idea what year / decade this ad might be from?

Wow, what would an ad like that be worth today to a plantiff's atty?

 

[LockedBreech]

@ los

That's actually an acceptable spelling of encyclopedia.

@ the original post

Children probably shouldn't be sleeping with guns in their laps. Where do they live, Beirut?

Also, I like the $6 price.

 

[ScottRiqui]

I don't know enough (anything, really) about the Iver-Johnson pistols to be able to date which version the ad is for, but since it could be from as far back as 1895, I agree that $6 is a great price. Adjusting for inflation, that wouldn't be more than about $150 in today's money.