I assume this commercial for Remco’s Civil War cannon is from the centennial. Any of you out there own one and, if so, did it really get you the girl? I have my doubts.
[Uploaded to YouTube on March 10, 2017]“The Cannon’s Name is Johnny Reb”
About the author: Thank you for taking the time to read this post. What next? Scroll down and join the discussion in the comments section. Looking for more Civil War content? You can follow me on Twitter. Check out my latest book, Searching For Black Confederates: The Civil War’s Most Persistent Myth, which is the first book-length analysis of the black Confederate myth ever published. Order your copy today.
I got a Johnny Reb Cannon for Christmas 1961. After watching a test fired cannon ball sail across the room I promptly put my palm against the muzzle to see if the next round would hurt. A mild sting was the only damage. Good! I’m not going to be able to damage anything and get in trouble, I thought! I suspect I’m not the only kid to try that test.
The carriage was destroyed by a barrage of BB gun target practice when I was about age thirteen but the barrel survives to this day. I’ve found that small powdered donuts or onion rings make an amusing projectile when I occasionally drag the cannon out to demonstrate to unsuspecting target friends.
Just picked one up in great condition, complete, nice box, with the HTF vinyl battle flag. It’s a chick magnet today just like it was in 1961.Oiled up the firing mechanism and it’ll shoot the cannon balls 35 feet, it’s brutal at close range and will leave a mark.
Well I just bought one of these with 4 plastic cannonballs and in working condition for $7 at the local Goodwill. It does shoot the cannonball around 30 plus feet!
I wonder why there weren’t any Black Confederate cannoneers portrayed in the commercial, Kevin maybe you can research this oversight on the part of Remco.
BTW I am old enough to remember this toy and the commercial.
also from the 60’s: I wonder how many eyes were put out by that cannon.
I had one too, but I renamed mine Billy Yank!
I had one, I gave it to my grandson. Gotta protect the home front !
Mr. Tatum,
I don’t mind approving a harmless comment, but please don’t expect me to approve a link to your website on which you have trashed me in the past.
CWM
LoL! Looks like fun!
At twelve bucks, that was not a cheap toy (via measuringworth.com):
Gotta love the little nurse in her whites & cap!
Fun fact: I met my wife my firing a Confederate cannon at her. I suspect many of you have similar stories.
I assume you weren’t the same age as the kids in the commercials. 🙂