2004.58.1

Spray gun for household or garden insecticide. Glass reservoir (into which ones puts the liquid insecticide) attached to a slender metal cylinder, through which runs a metal "pump" with a small wood handle. To operate one pumps the handle toward the cylinder many times, forcing spray out of the other end of the cylinder, which is aimed at the insect to be exterminated. Cylinder is painted/enameled orange color and black "Black Flag KILLS Flies, Mosquitoes, Moths, Roaches, Ants."

Spray guns were popular for home use, especially in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. When aerosol dispenser became more common in the late 1950s and into the 1960s, hand pumped, and more cumbersome, spray guns went out of fashion. Later aerosol containers became villains in a time more concerned with efforts to improve the environment.

Used: household | Garden