gas cannon ...not potato types!

There were over a dozen patents issued for toy gas operated cannons starting in 1907.  The one issued in 1907 was to William Franklin and is the predecessor to the current and common Big Bang family of cannons made by the Conestoga Company.

Here are just a few examples of early patents. All images are thumbnails, click on them to see a larger picture.

Big BangŪ

Here lies the most popular, and abundant of the toy cannon. Hailed as safe toys for boys, millions have been sold since Circa 1912, starting with a iron production model in 1912.  Around 1915 the short lived Artillery Game was introduced, having a glass barrel.  In all, over 20 gas cannon models were produced by Conestoga and its predecessor company.  Several models are still being manufactured by Conestoga in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Here are a few examples and the year which they were first produced.

The cannons use powdered carbide, shown here, that is mixed in small quantities with a couple ounces of water in the cannon's chamber (depending on the size of the cannon). The powder, called "Bangsite",  sells for about $ 8.00 a tube and provides for about 100 cannon fires.