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Second childhood
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Second childhood

Browsing Youtube recently for something quite unrelated, I stumbled upon The World's Best Rubber-band Gun Ever or some such modestly-worded title. Having had a sneaking interest in rubber-band ballistics since schooldays I took a look and immediately thought, "I can do better than that!" So then I had to rise to the challenge.
I made several, of which this is probably my favourite - a lifesize cardboard imitation of a Colt single action .45 (Peacemaker) in chrome and gold-plated finish with 'ivory' grips. It 'fires' rubber bands - one at a time - with reasonable accuracy over 15 - 20 feet. The 'ping' of a well hit empty drinks can is quite satisfying!
The hammer on the model is non-functional; a very simple internal mechanism releases the rubber-band when the trigger is pulled. (For durability, the mechanism is plastic - cut from an old CD - rather than cardboard.)
Picture added on 18 February 2014 at 21:04
Comments:
The old CD was less durable than I hoped: the trigger broke. I used wood for the next one (making sure the grain was running the right way).
Added by Ian Hourston on 06 March 2014
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Stromness

Stromness Police StationRaymond and Robert HutcheonIsa, Louise, Robert & Ray HutcheonStromness Academy, late 1930sMystery thingWW2 Kirkwall Home GuardStromness HarbourPromenade deck of St Ola IVThe InverlaneAnother fine day in Stromness