Some vintage toys are cool. Others are collectible. And some are just downright strange. The 1956 Pez Space Ray Gun falls into all three categories—and then some.
Part candy dispenser, part sci-fi toy, and part safety hazard, this quirky plastic pistol was one of the earliest attempts by Pez to break into the American children’s market. It’s a relic of its time, a piece of retro-futuristic candy culture, and yes—it still shoots candy from the barrel.
Recently, one of these rare toys made its way into a Las Vegas pawn shop, and the story that followed was as sweet as it was bizarre.
Pez: From Anti-Smoking Aid to Pop Culture Icon
Long before they were colorful cartoon-headed dispensers found in gas stations and collector conventions, Pez candies had a very different purpose.
“They started off as an aid to get people to stop smoking,” the shopkeeper explained. “It was a little mint-flavored tablet—kind of like Altoids before Altoids.”
But Pez didn’t catch on with smokers. So the company pivoted. They began marketing to kids, turning those breath mints into fruit-flavored candies and packaging them in playful dispensers. The plan worked—brilliantly.
In the early 1950s, Pez released its first dispensers for children, and by 1956, they had taken the gimmick one step further with the Pez Space Ray Gun.
Blast Off With Candy
The Space Ray Gun wasn’t just a novelty—it was an actual functioning candy launcher.
Made from sturdy plastic and styled like something from a 1950s sci-fi movie, the toy had a cartridge that loaded into the side, and when the trigger was pulled, Pez candies would fire out of the barrel.
“I’m sure that got discontinued pretty quick,” the buyer said. “You had kids sticking a toy gun in their mouth and firing candy. Not a great idea.”
He was right. The Space Ray Gun was eventually pulled from the market due to choking hazards, but not before a few lucky kids got their hands on one—and probably a dentist’s bill too.
A Rare Find
The seller explained that he had picked up the Space Ray Gun as part of a larger vintage toy collection, and while he had no sentimental attachment to it, he knew it had value.
“It’s very nostalgic,” he said. “But I’m here to sell.”
He hoped to get $500 for the piece, citing its rarity and original condition. That turned out to be a fair ask—almost.
The shop called in Steve Grad, a well-known authentication expert, to take a closer look.
“This is a really cool piece,” Steve noted. “These are super hard to find in good condition—especially with the original paperwork.”
That “paperwork” included something Steve jokingly referred to as a “gun permit”—the toy’s original instruction sheet, complete with directions and product info. For collectors, that kind of ephemera can boost the value significantly.
“These instructions are usually the first thing to disappear,” Steve explained. “So having them intact is a big deal.”
The Appraisal: How Much Is a Candy Gun Worth?
After examining the toy, Steve had no doubts about its authenticity.
“You’ve got a legit Space Ray Gun from 1956,” he confirmed. “All original, and it looks great.”
So what’s it worth?
“These are really desirable,” he said. “I think you could realistically get $450 for this piece—maybe even $500 on a good day.”
For a toy that once cost a couple of bucks and a box of candy, that’s an impressive leap in value.
The Negotiation: Candy-Coated Haggling
The seller stood firm at $500, but the buyer wasn’t ready to pay top dollar—after all, profit still matters in the resale business.
His first offer? $250. The seller countered at $400. Then came a charm offensive:
“How about three smiles, a handshake, and $300?”
It worked.
“Okay, sure,” the seller laughed. “Let’s go write it up.”
And just like that, the Pez Space Ray Gun had a new home—and the seller had some cash in hand for his wife’s anniversary gift.
“It wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for,” he said, “but it’s enough to buy her something nice.”
Why Pez Toys Still Matter
To many collectors, the world of Pez isn’t just about candy—it’s about pop culture, toy history, and mid-century Americana. The brand has inspired decades of collecting, with fans specializing in everything from 1970s cartoon heads to rare prototypes that never made it to market.
The Pez Space Ray Gun stands out because it captures a moment in time when toys were less regulated, wildly imaginative, and often just a little dangerous.
Today, with its vintage sci-fi aesthetic, it appeals to more than just Pez fans—it draws in toy collectors, mid-century pop enthusiasts, and even museum curators.
Final Thoughts: Candy, Nostalgia, and Dangerous Fun
The 1956 Pez Space Ray Gun is more than a novelty item—it’s a snapshot of a different era in American childhood. It reminds us of a time when imagination was king, safety standards were “optional,” and even your candy came with a trigger.
In a world now filled with virtual toys and app-based games, there’s something refreshingly simple (and slightly insane) about a plastic gun that shoots sugar pellets across the room.
And if you’re lucky enough to own one?
Don’t load it near your dad’s face.
