Daisy Red Ryder Model 1938B Air Rifle (A Christmas Story Edition/Commemorative Variant)
Functional mass-produced object; recreational sporting equipment • Manufactured by Daisy Outdoor Products (Rogers, Arkansas)
Style & Movement
Americana; Mid-century nostalgia/Commercial industrial design
Medium & Technique
Stamped blue steel, solid wood or faux-wood plastic (ABS) stock and forearm, cast lever, and etched/silk-screened decorative graphics.
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (modern production)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 35 inches in length; linear functional format
Subject Description
A lever-action BB gun featuring the iconic 'Red Ryder' branding. The receiver includes a stamped logo and a graphic of a cowboy on a bucking horse, referencing the comic strip character created by Fred Harman.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows visible signs of oxidation, paint loss on the receiver graphics, and surface scratching.
Estimated Market Value
$25 - $50 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $40 USD
Provenance History
Likely a private domestic purchase; modern retail item with no specialized historical ownership indicated.
Art Historical Significance
While not a piece of 'fine art,' the Red Ryder BB gun is a significant cultural artifact of American youth culture and 20th-century marketing, cemented in history by its central role in the 1983 film 'A Christmas Story.'
Notable Features
Features the classic saddle ring and leather thong and the signature bucking bronco graphic on the receiver.
Condition Issues
Significant wear to the golden silk-screened cowboy graphic; surface rust/patina on the steel receiver; potential internal mechanical wear.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a low-humidity environment to prevent further rust; wipe steel components with a lightly oiled cloth; avoid abrasive cleaners on the graphics.