Straco Western Double-Barrel Cork Rifles Recalled for Eye Injury Risk
F.J. Strauss is recalling approximately 3,600 Straco Western Double-Barrel Cork Rifles because improperly positioned plastic barriers may allow metal rods to project and injure children's eyes.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk of serious eye injury (laceration) from a consumer product. Although no injuries were reported for this specific manufacturer's units, the hazard is significant and involves a known injury from an identical product, fitting the 'High' criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported for the specific recalled batch.
Plain-English summary
The F. J. Strauss Company, Inc., an importer and distributor based in New York City, is voluntarily recalling approximately 3,600 Straco Western Double-Barrel Cork Rifles in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall was issued on August 9, 1979.
The hazard involves the toy's internal mechanism. Normally, small plastic barriers prevent two interior metal "pushrods" from extending to their full 8-inch length. However, in some units, these barriers may be positioned improperly, allowing the metal rods to project completely when the trigger is pulled. CPSC staff noted that children run the risk of serious eye injuries if they remove the gun's muzzle and fire toward their faces, an action that could drive the metal rods into their eyes.
While F. J. Strauss has not received complaints about this specific toy, CPSC received a report earlier in 1979 that a 3-year-old boy suffered eye injuries from an identically constructed toy cork gun made by another manufacturer. The recalled rifles were marketed since 1977 in cardboard boxes labeled with the "Straco" trademark and "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.
The recalled product
- Product
- Straco Western Double-Barrel Cork Rifles
- Manufacturer
- Straco
- Category
- Consumer Product — Toys
- Hazard
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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