cap pistol

noun

1. a toy gun using caps to imitate the sound of a real pistol.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cap pistol¹

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20

Example Sentences

One time I was with Muscles Mandel and I was caught lifting a 20-cent cap pistol.

From The Daily Beast

He was simply yet appropriately equipped with a cap-pistol, and two bananas for provender while crossing the wilderness.

From Project Gutenberg

He was avidly interested; but he paid no attention to the Hopalong cap pistol that I left in its place when I took the gun back.

From Project Gutenberg

We gave each of the boys a ten-cent cap-pistol and five cents' worth of caps—they were in their Paradise.

From Project Gutenberg