Reproduction vs. Original - Cast Iron Toy

[tenogrrl]

Hi -

I picked up a cast iron toy at a garage sale this weekend and am finding that it is very hard to tell reproductions of these from originals. There are no makers mark of any kind, and I've also found out that there are repo's made from the original molds. What's the deal here?

Anyway, here are the photos, let me know if you need more info.

Thanks!
Jami in Oregon

 

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[Gypsy Heart]

In the 1800s, manufacturers put the metal parts in a tumbler and you ended up with a very smooth texture. The originals had no rough edges. The reproductions have a sandpapery feel on the metal," he adds. "Also, the joints on the reproductions are looser and the paint is brighter. The paint on the original banks was more muted. They used Forest green as opposed to Kelly green. They didn't use pink in the old days, either. They used tan or beige."

Look for plastic in the gears. And look for Phillips head screws! That's a dead giveaway of a reproduction. The reproductions are smaller, too.
Companies that manufacture reproductions cast their moulds from the original moulds, so the resulting reproductions are about a quarter to an eighth of an inch smaller than the real item.

You need to take a look at the rust. Rust on the original will be black or dark brown, if they have any rust at all. It will be firmly attached to the metal, too. Rust on the reproductions is red and will flake off.

Here is a crash course on telling original from fake....
http://reviews.ebay.com/Quick-Coarse-on-FAKE-Cast-Iron-Toys-Banks-etc_W0QQugidZ10000000000769189

 

[tenogrrl]

wow, thanks for so much info! This has flathead screws and I see no plastic anywhere....that's a quick rundown, I will read more and inspect more.
Jami in Oregon

 

[dg39]

I would say from the paint color, and the way it is painted, that i'm 90 percent its a chinese reproduction.
If you have ever seen a real one you would spot the differences right off the bat. I could be wrong, but I've had several real ones of different types. great display item though.

 

[tenogrrl]

I'm so confused over this repro, original thing I have no clue what to post it for sale for on ebay. There are obvious repro's on there, with sellers even offering to pay the shipping price. This one my just end up in my garden though.

Jami in Oregon

 

[Dave N Japan]

Looks nice and I ant no expert,but I really don't see any dings on it! The wagon looks like it is in real good shape and not played with...but again, I am no expert!
I still like it and think it is cool!

 

[dg39]

Notice the rounded head screws on the assembly. An old one would have all flat head screws..Unless some were replaced at some point in time. as to price I have seen them in wholesale warehouses for 8 to 10 dollars and sometimes less.