For sale: RARE c1950s Star Globe Water Gun - Japan, tin. Near mint condition. Actual maker unknown. 

It is listed under "Rarest, and most beautiful ray guns in the world" on the website ToyRayGun.com The 1998 website says:

"The Star Globe water gun is an unusual toy. Made in Japan, probably in the 1950s, it is a tin water pistol. When the trigger is pulled, not only does water squirt out of the barrel, but the globe of the world in the center spins around. Festooned with stars, planets, and an unlikely parachute, this gun is seen very rarely, if at all. Reputedly, five of these guns were brought to the US a number of years ago by a traveler from Japan" 

This may be the only time you ever see this toy for sale. It seems they came in two colors; metallic magenta and gloss black. So far, the one or two examples I was able to find are magenta, this is the only black one I could find.

If the five came to the US a number of years before 1998, it's likely that could mean 25-30 years ago now. They might have been made as samples but never produced. 

The term "rare" gets quite overused, but in this case it is very accurate - this is truly a rare specimen. Almost all of the top ray gun collections in the world lack this particular gun, I had an extremely difficult time finding comparable sales or collectors who own one.

I was able to find a magenta example in Ray Gun by Eugene Metcalf, but I could not find it in any of the other known ray gun or space toy books. I checked with authorities on space toys (even with a well-known toy dealer in Japan) and I was only able to get a report of one private sale taking place with a price between $4500 to $5500 about 5 or 6 years ago. That was the most info I could find.

How cool to say you own one of these extremely rare toys... Now is your chance.

In near mint, unused condition. The trigger pulls, and it blows air out the muzzle so I'm certain it works, but I won't put water in a gun that has never seen it before, sorry.  You are welcome to put water in it and squirt a friend once you own it!

***Selling for the estate of a major collector - I am offering a Buy-it-now price but also putting the 'make offer' option as well. All offers will be considered, worst I can do is say no thank you. Please allow my photos to do the talking. It is about 4.5" long. It is pressed and riveted so getting one apart would be nearly impossible - this example is unquestionably (near) mint, original, and in un-used condition. The term "near" is used because there is one tiny nick I could find, and some tiny spots on the globes where it contacted a table or surface. Aside from those minuscule flaws, it's mint, but please look at all my giant, clear photos and determine condition for yourself. My photos show dust and such that are not visible to the naked eye so imagine how clean this item looks in person.

Please ask all questions prior to hitting the Buy it Now button, or making an offer - this toy is sold as you see it in the photos. Sold as is, as seen - sale is final.

Shipping is free in the continental United States - winner pays actual shipping cost outside that area. Winner pays shipping insurance & signature confirmation to full value as well. Buyers from outside the US are welcome but pay actual shipping/insurance fees along with any customs or taxes their country may charge. Shipping to a California address pays 9% state sales tax unless showing a CA resale license for collectibles/antiques.

Thanks for looking!