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Introduction
There have been seven models of the Christmas Dream produced by Daisy, and four of them are shown here. Starting from the bottom and working up, this picture shows:
1. 1983 cardboard and cellophane packaging
2. 1984 in box
3. 2003 20th Anniversary Commemorative
4. 2021 "Christmas Wish" Walmart exclusive
Part 1: 1983 & 1984 Christmas Dream
Prior to 1983, Daisy had not produced a Red Ryder with compass and sundial. (When Jean Shepherd wrote the story that later became "A Christmas Story" he was actually thinking of the Buck Jones model which did come with a compass and sundial.) Following the release of the movie, Daisy did produce the Christmas Dream model, which was similar to the rifle little Ralphie wants for Christmas. These were manufactured in 1983 and 1984, and featured a compass in the stock and a "thing which tells time" just like the one in the movie!
The Christmas Dream was sold in packaging similar to other Red Ryders with the only addition being the special A Christmas Story sticker.
Early Christmas Dreams had a small compass that was a little larger than a dime. These were made by multiple manufacturers, so while the size is similar, the markings are different. Here are three different models I have in my collection.
This picture shows all the paperwork that came with a rifle in cellophane and cardboard packaging. The paperwork was pretty generic for Red Ryders of the time, but Christmas Dreams also included small card that had directions for using the sundial on one side, and a brief history of the sundial on the other.
Later Christmas Dreams featured a larger sundial with the word Daisy inside. In my experience, these tend to show up on rifles made in 1984.
There has been some speculation that all originals were sold in the cellophane packaging, but the boxed version shown in above pictures was purchased from someone who had owned it for a long time, and it also came with the remains of the sundial directions that had been used as a target.
Part 2: The Fakes!
The easiest way to identify an original is to look at the lot number printed on the barrel. Daisy manufactured their airguns in lots, and stamped a number into their products that identify the year and month of manufacture. All original Christmas Dream models were made in 1983 and 1984, so the lot number should begin with a 3 or 4. The second digit indicate month of manufacture as follows: A January, B February, C March, D April, E May, F June, G July, H August, J September, K October, L November, and M December. (The letter I is omitted in order to avoid confusion with the number 1.)
After that initial 1983-84 run ended, Daisy sold off a bunch of surplus stocks, and it's not uncommon to find these installed on normal Red Ryders to increase their value. I've picked up several over the years, as well as a few undrilled stocks.
One of the surplus stocks sits in a display attached to a 1938 model that looks much closer to Ralphie's gun from the movie. This stock features the large compass and was not installed on a rifle prior to this one. (I drilled the holes used to attach it.)
Just a little speculation on my part, but it is possible some Christmas Dreams were sold in the late 1980's in the box. I found a post written a long time ago from someone who stated that he ordered a batch through Daisy in 1988. I also have a "fake" in the collection that is a 1989 gun, which does not appear to have been tampered with. The top rifle is a 1984 original, and below it is the 1989 rifle. The wood on the 1989 matches and the wear is consistent with the rest of the gun. Plus I didn't pay all that much for it, so the seller was not trying to make a premium on it!
So, it is possible, but only possible, that Daisy used old parts to fulfill orders placed years later.
Part 3: Daisy Commemoratives
In 2003, Daisy released a limited run of 1000 20th Anniversary Christmas Dream Red Ryders. These were ordered from through the Daisy Museum, and featured the signature compass and sundial as well as laser etching of the rifle's number.
As a bonus, Daisy would print a Certificate of Authenticity with the owner's name written - in ink! (I ordered mine with my name on it. Who wouldn't?!)
Here is a shot of the box and all the paperwork that came with the 20th anniversary commemorative. The box does not mention anything about Christmas, but it does have a Daisy Museum sticker.
Later commemorative models had higher production numbers, so the 2003 is the rarest so far!
The Daisy Museum released additional commemorative rifles every five years signifying the 25th, 30th, and most recently, 35th anniversary of the release of A Christmas Story.
Here, from bottom up, are the new 2020 Christmas Wish, 2003 20th anniversary, and 2008 25th anniversary models.
It's interesting to note that on the 2003 model there is no hole in the stock to insert a pointer for use with the sundial. The circle where it would be placed is just shallow a laser etching!
The 2008 model was similar, although production was increased to 1,500. Subsequent runs have been slightly higher.
A 40th anniversary model was released just prior to Christmas, 2023! These can be ordered through The Daisy Museum.
Part 4: 2021 Christmas Wish
In 2021 Walmart released a Red Ryder called the "Christmas Wish". It included a sundial and compass, and the cost was only $25, which was a bargain compared to originals or commemoratives!
Here's the 2021 model (bottom) compared to an original 1984. The most noticeable difference is the side of the stock that the compass and sundial is mounted on. The 2020 model actually has them placed on the same side as the rifle used in A Christmas Story.
This model is the first to actually include a pointer (aka "style" or "gnomon") for use in the sundial, although it did not come with directions for use!
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