The Promise: Didn't you always want a replica WWI machine gun? I know I did (kidding!) and according to the ad, "it swivels in all directions." Obviously, they can't send real weapons to children through the mail, but juvenile delinquents would be drooling for this thing. So many begged their parents for the $1.98 they needed to develop "deadly target skill!" I wonder how many moms and dads took advantage of the supposed money back guarantee?

The Truth: This gun embodied that parental idle threat of "You'll take your eye out with that thing!" It fired pea-sized pellets that could lodge into your skin and cause infection, but it didn't even work 90% of the time. It's a wonder nobody sued the manufacturer.