Museum owner Brian Jones holds the Red Ryder BB Gun used in the movie at A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. The Museum has recently acquired the movie prop and added it to their collection. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)A display containing the Red Ryder BB Gun used in the movie at A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. The Museum has recently acquired the movie prop and added it to their collection. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)
One of the most iconic themes from the movie A Christmas Story is, of course, Ralphie’s “official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.” This line alone is uttered nearly 30 times throughout the movie. Needless to say, this beloved BB gun has always been the most sought-after prop for fans of the movie.
Up until November of 2015, this prop had been missing from the A Christmas Story House & Museum’s collection. On display in its place was one of Daisy’s limited edition Christmas Dream rifles, which was first produced in 1983 to pay homage to the actual gun mentioned in the movie.
Although Daisy did produce 6 guns for use in the movie, before then the Red Ryder model with a compass and sundial had never existed. Author Gene Shepherd had created this fantasy rifle, possibly confusing it with the Buck Jones rifle that Daisy had manufactured, which did have a compass and sundial. But let’s face it; Red Ryder just rolls off the tongue a little easier than Buck Jones!
After the movie’s filming, the 6 Red Ryder prop rifles were distributed between various production team members, one went into the film archives, and one went to little Ralphie himself, Peter Billingsley, never to be seen again. That is, until a fan reached out to us with a promising lead!
The fan contacted us with a direct link to a listing from a collectibles company, The Prop Master. They had obtained one of these super rare gems and were looking to sell it for $10,000. After a little research, we learned that this particular gun had been owned by a gentleman named Gary Meck. Meck, who was the production asset manager for the film, was now looking to sell off his piece of A Christmas Story memorabilia!
Without hesitation, we made the purchase. In owner Brian Jones’ own words, “This has been the holy grail for us!” Finding this piece of memorabilia from the movie has truly been a Christmas dream come true! The BB gun is now the crown jewel of our Museum’s collection, which is sure to bring endless joy to our thousands of annual visitors!
The exterior of A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)The Red Ryder BB Gun used in the movie sits on the back steps of A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. The Museum has recently acquired the movie prop and added it to their collection. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)The Red Ryder BB Gun used in the movie sits on the back steps of A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. The Museum has recently acquired the movie prop and added it to their collection. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)The Red Ryder BB Gun used in the movie sits on the back steps of A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. The Museum has recently acquired the movie prop and added it to their collection. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)Museum owner Brian Jones holds the Red Ryder BB Gun used in the movie at A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. The Museum has recently acquired the movie prop and added it to their collection. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)Museum owner Brian Jones holds the Red Ryder BB Gun used in the movie at A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. The Museum has recently acquired the movie prop and added it to their collection. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)Museum owner Brian Jones holds the Red Ryder BB Gun used in the movie at A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. The Museum has recently acquired the movie prop and added it to their collection. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)Museum owner Brian Jones holds the Red Ryder BB Gun used in the movie at A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. The Museum has recently acquired the movie prop and added it to their collection. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)The Red Ryder BB Gun used in the movie under the tree at A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. The Museum has recently acquired the movie prop and added it to their collection. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)
