Toy Cork Rifles Recalled

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 9) -- The F. J. Strauss Company, Inc., an importer and distributor with headquarters in New York City, is voluntarily recalling approximately 3,600 toy cork rifles because they may injure children's eyes. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

According to CPSC staff, children run the risk of serious eye injuries if they remove the gun's muzzle and fire toward their faces, an action which could drive two interior metal rods into their eyes.

These "pushrods," which serve to expel the cork from the toy I normally are protected from extending to their full 8-inch length by small plastic barriers. However, some barriers may be positioned improperly, allowing the metal rods to project completely when the trigger is pulled.

While F. J. Strauss never has received a complaint about the toy, CPSC received a report earlier this year that a 3+year-old boy suffered eye injuries from an identically constructed toy cork gun made by another manufacturer; all of these models have since been recalled.

Strauss has told CPSC that other firms also have distributed identical toy guns.

The cork guns have been marketed since 1977 in cardboard boxes which are labeled "F. J. Strauss Co., Inc., New York, New York, 10010." The cartons also are labeled with the trademark "Straco," and with "Western Double-Barrel Cork Rifle." They sold for approximately $1.99 at various retail outlets.

Consumers should return the guns to the place of purchase for a full refund.