Eastern European, Soviet or Japanese Unknown ca. 1956 Blue Tin Windup MM-19-56 Convertible Car for Sale

Eastern European, Soviet or Japanese Unknown ca. 1956 Blue Tin Windup “MM-19-56” Convertible Car

We have for you a toy that you won’t see very often if ever. We could not find anything on this blue, tin, hand painted, windup convertible car. We believe this to be Eastern European or Japanese. The only markings we could find were the “MM-19-56″ that is on the license plate. This particular tin toy has eluded us on attribution.  At first, it reminded us of a French make, but as we looked at the wheels, the maker was more basic.

We may have a Soviet toy, potentially made somewhere like Czechoslovakia within the 1950’s Soviet Union. This is speculation, so we would greatly appreciate help on the definitive attribution. Regardless, we have a rare and hand painted tin toy that looks great next to prewar hand painted tin toys from Germany and France.  It has a primitive and hand wrought beauty. As a final thought, this could be from the maker Mitsushima Seisakusho, as seen by the MM on the license plate.  The Japanese were known to recycle tin and that could explain the primitive wheels.

This fragile, tin, clockwork driven windup convertible hand painted comes with a replacement key and when wound goes in a straight line. Ours works as it should with a little encouragement. The license plate notes 1956, and then we see a very nice hand painted figure.

Our example of this tin windup car is in great all original condition with no breaks, restorations, repairs, or touch ups. This piece shows the usual patina, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, and wear that are to be expected from age and play. This is approximately 7 ½” L.  We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.