Live demo of the Japanese archer automaton

Check out this video featuring a live demonstration of the arrow-shooting karakuri. It's amazing how the figure can pick up an arrow, place it on the bow, draw, shoot, and hit the target! Incredible. The gentleman in the video is SHOBEI Tamaya IX -- the only living Karakuri Ningyo Master in Japan today.

Here is an older post that shows the details of arrow-shooting boy's arm mechanism.

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William Tell cast iron mechanical bank from 1896

It is amazing to see the various clever ways in which the designers figured out entertaining ways to get a penny into the bank. This bank features a classic scene in which the penny is shot from a crossbow over the head of William Tell.

From the ebay description of the mechanical bank:

The Bank features the figure of William Tell pointing a rifle shaped weapon at an apple on the head of a little boy who stands in front of a castle tower. To operate, the odd shaped piece on the top of the gun barrel is pressed back until it snaps into position. This "loading" of the mechanism also causes the head of William Tell to lower into a position that makes it appear he is taking aim at the apple. A coin is placed on top of the barrel just in front of the odd shaped piece. The boy’s right arm is pulled down bringing the apple to the top of his head. When the right foot of William Tell is pressed down he fires the gun and the coin shoots forward knocking the apple from the boy’s head as he raises his right arm. The coin is deposited inside the castle tower ringing a bell and the head of William Tell falls backwards. The mechanism here is in excellent working condition.

The William Tell Bank was patented in 1896 by Russell Frisbie and manufactured by J & E. Stevens for a several years.

Here is where you can see additional pictures and read more about this William Tell cast iron mechanical bank from 1896.

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Live-action vampire bat hunt toy

I realize that vampires are all the rage right now, so what I am about to say is probably not politically correct. Call me old fashioned, but to the best of my knowledge vampires are still DANGEROUS TERRIFYING MONSTERS. In my opinion, you would be well served in getting some training in before one takes flight and comes after you or one of your loved ones. It is, after all, that time of year.

From the toy description:

This is the live-action shooting game that challenges hunters of the undead to down a flying vampire bat with a harmless infrared blaster. A 10-second charge on the barrel of the blaster animates the bat with sinister energy for a 30-second flight. The bat's 6" long mylar wings flap up and down nearly 500 times per minute, and it can be set to fly in an erratic left or right-turning circle or a level, straight line. Sharp-eyed vampire hunters take aim with the infrared blaster -- the first two hits merely stun the fell creature, momentarily interrupting its flapping; the third hit downs it for good. The single-shot blaster has a 20' range and makes a loading sound with each pump.

I implore you: think of the children, do the right thing, kill vampires. Remember it is NEVER safe to handle a vampire...no matter how handsome he may be.

Here's where you can get the live-action vampire bat hunt toy.

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Live-action skeet game with flying targets

Here's a nifty mechanical toy that launches targets up to 7 feet in the air. Once aloft, you use the gun's infrared beam to "break" the targets apart. Skeet shooting with a pistol? Sounds difficult in real-life, but I'm sure the game is a bit easier.

Here's where you can get the The Live Action Skeet Shooting Game.

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