AC Williams Cast Iron Riverboat *SOLD*

Cast Iron Riverboat by AC Williams

This original cast iron riverboat is a smaller and more simplistic casting, but a great toy.  It is around 7 3/4″ in length and likely an early 1920-30s release.  It was for five and dime stores and for kids on a budget.

It is a two piece casting along with wheels, and can be a pull toy or static model.  The castings use the imagination, but there is a clean smoke stack, bridge, and then the primitive steam piston/Walking Beam steam engine for “power”.

Silver paint is original as is the casting. We do not pick up any cracks or issues other than general play wear.

A brief history of A.C. Williams Co. of Ravenna, Ohio:

The A. C. Williams Company was founded in business in Chagrin Falls, Ohio in 1844. It was founded by John Wesley Williams, the father of A. C. Williams. However there was a big fire at the company, and a decision was made to move to Ravenna. Ohio. Actual production started there in 1893.

Like the other famous cast iron companies of the time (Hubley, Dent, Kilgore, Arcade, Kenton), A.C. Williams manufactured cast iron cars and trucks.  From 1893 to 1923 they produced cast-iron horse-drawn rigs, autos, airplane, penny banks and tractor toys; the line included mostly miniatures distributed through Woolworth, Kresge`s, and other five-and-dime stores. They even produced some tin cars towards the end of the company’s relatively long history. Unfortunately, in 1938 they closed their toy production and continued in other ventures to this day.