Spring Militaria, Art, Rock Music Auction
Lot 181:
Description
Up for auction is an original 1941 Tom Mix Straight Shooter Six-Gun Decoder badge, a highly sought-after radio premium issued to young fans of the Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters program. Distributed by the Ralston Purina Company, this imaginative badge doubled as both a decoder for secret messages broadcast on the airwaves and a proud symbol of membership in one of the most iconic children’s fan clubs of the Golden Age of radio.Shaped like a classic six-shooter revolver, this badge features a rotating cipher wheel, allowing users to decode secret messages from Tom Mix himself. The front bears detailed design elements and embossed lettering, while the reverse includes the decoding alphabet. These badges were originally offered through mail-in promotions with box tops from Ralston cereal.This example is in very good vintage condition, with working spinner and pin clasp. It still retains strong visual appeal and is a favorite among collectors of vintage radio memorabilia, premium collectibles, and Western pop culture.A true piece of 1940s Americana, this decoder badge is a fun and nostalgic reminder of Saturday mornings spent tuned in to the adventures of Tom Mix and the Straight Shooters.
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