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“Western Double-Barrel Cork Rifle” toy

CPSC Recall #79-037 - August 8, 1979

Recall Summary

Recall Number79-037
Recall DateAugust 8, 1979
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 3,600

Product

“Western Double-Barrel Cork Rifle” toy

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 9) -- The F. J. Strauss Company, Inc., an importer and distributor with headquarters in New York City, is voluntarily recalling approximately 3,600 toy cork rifles because they may injure children's eyes. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. According to CPSC staff, children run the risk of serious eye injuries if they remove the gun's muzzle and fire toward their faces, an action which could drive two interior metal rods into their eyes. These "pushrods," which serve to expel the cork from the toy, normally are protected from extending to their full 8-inch length by small plastic barriers. However, some barriers may be positioned improperly, allowing the metal rods to project completely when the trigger is pulled. While F. J. Strauss never has received a complaint about the toy, CPSC received a report earlier this year that a 3-year-old boy suffered eye injuries from an identically constructed toy cork gun made by another manufacturer; all of these models have since been recalled. Strauss has told CPSC that other firms also have distributed identical toy guns. The cork guns have been marketed since 1977 in cardboard boxes which are labeled "F. J. Strauss Co., Inc., New York, New York, 10010." The cartons also are labeled with the trademark "Straco," and with "Western Double-Barrel Cork Rifle." They sold for approximately $1.99 at various retail outlets. Consumers should return the guns to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Hazard

According to CPSC staff, children run the risk of serious eye injuries if they remove the gun's muzzle and fire toward their faces, an action which could drive two interior metal rods into their eyes. These "pushrods," which serve to expel the cork from the toy, normally are protected from extending to their full 8-inch length by small plastic barriers. However, some barriers may be positioned improperly, allowing the metal rods to project completely when the trigger is pulled.

Incidents & Injuries

While F. J. Strauss never has received a complaint about the toy, CPSC received a report earlier this year that a 3-year-old boy suffered eye injuries from an identically constructed toy cork gun made by another manufacturer; all of these models have since been recalled.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should return the guns to the place of purchase for a full refund.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident, they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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