We were watching A Christmas Story over the holidays and it got us wondering: what’s Ralphie’s beloved BB gun worth these days? Since evaluating collectibles is our specialty around here, we thought it’d be fun to figure out an estimate.
What Was Ralphie’s BB Gun?
Ralphie is VERY specific about the BB gun he wants for Christmas. He wants an “official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.” It turns out that his specificity doesn’t help us here: no such BB gun was made by the Daisy Air Rifle Company. Not before the film popularized it, at any rate. Red Ryder only had the compass as its accessory. This toy came straight out of Gene Shepard’s imagination.
A 1939 Red Ryder Carbine box!
Or did it? While Red Ryder is the best-known brand of BB gun Daisy made in its Plymouth, MI factory, it wasn’t the only one. They also produced the official air rifles for western movie star Buck Jones, and his model DID have both the compass and “thing that tells time” (a sundial). Comic strip hero Red Ryder only had the compass. We’ll be looking at the going price for both Red Ryder and Buck Jones BB guns from around 1940 (around the time the movie takes place), just in case the Old Man took the feature list to heart.
What Are They Worth?
Fun Fact: They were still making Buck Jones comics into the 50s!
Now, condition matters a lot to collectible value. Since we’re not evaluating a real item, we’re making the favorable assumption for Ralphie. After he dang near shot his eye out on Christmas morning, we assume Ralphie stuffed the thing in a closet and hasn’t touched it since. We’re also assuming that mice didn’t eat the box, Mom didn’t toss it out, etc. Ralphie Parker, age 92, has walked through our doors with his Christmas BB gun in pristine condition with original box.
Based on our research, a vintage Red Ryder Model No, 111 would go for about $200 with box these days. The Buck Jones Model No. 107, on the other hand, goes for closer to $300 without the box! We didn’t actually find any specimens WITH the box, so Ralphie would likely be able to fetch an even higher price than that.
Why is the more obscure model worth more? Mainly the obscurity. The Buck Jones model wasn’t as popular, even in its day, as the comic-strip-based Red Ryder model. It didn’t sell as well, so there aren’t as many on the collectible market. Daisy, meanwhile, still makes its Red Ryder model today. Furthermore, the Buck Jones gun is the one Ralphie REALLY wanted. There are a ton of trivia articles out there telling you just that. So if a fan of the movie wants a “200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time”, they want Buck Jones.
What Are YOU Wondering About?
Do you have a collection in your house that you’re not sure what to with? Have you got something you know is worth SOMETHING, but have no clue how much? Back to the Past is here to help! We can evaluate your collecibles just like we did Ralphie’s, figuring out what each piece is worth based on prevailing market value and over thirty years experience. Furthermore, we can help you sell it once you know what it’s worth. Let us do the work of bringing it to market for you and just wait for the check to arrive.
What is your unforgettable dream toy? Sound off in the comments below or shout at us on social media @b2pcollect!
