J.E. Stevens Co. Cast Iron No. 331 “William Tell” Mechanical Bank *SOLD*

J.E. Stevens Co. Cast Iron No. 331 “William Tell” Mechanical Bank 

We have for you a cast iron no. 331 “William Tell” mechanical bank manufactured by J. & E. Stevens & Company of Cromwell, Connecticut. This bank can be found in the J.E. Stevens Co. 1905 “Illustrated Catalogue of Iron Toys, etc.” on page 20. 

This mechanical bank works by placing a coin on the barrel of William’s rifle and pressing his right foot. When his foot is depressed the rifle shoots the apple off of the boy’s head. When the coin enters the castle, it strikes a bell. The catalog says that a cap can be fired at the same time. This is a fully working bank. The trap door is missing.

This piece is in good all original condition with no breaks, restorations, repairs, or touch-ups. This piece shows the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, missing accessories, and wear that are to be expected from age and play. This is approximately 10 ½” L x 3 ¾” W x 6 ¾” H. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.   

Click here for Info: New Toy Auction January 12th and 13th, 2024 via Liveauctioneers!    

A brief history of J. & E. Stevens of Cromwell, Connecticut:  

J & E. Stevens of Cromwell, Connecticut operated between 1842 and into the 1950s and was founded by blacksmith John Stevens and his brother Elisha Stevens. When J. & E. Stevens began, they first started making cast iron hardware, hammers, and simple iron toys. Their metal fabrication line also included stubs, plates, door buttons, as well as, wardrobe, coat, and hat hooks. They are believed to be one of the first manufacturers of cast iron toys in the United States. They manufactured toys such as cannons, locomotives, whistling tops, toy irons, kettles, skillets, and stoves.   

Throughout their time they made a variety of toys and are most famous for their more than 300 types of mechanical banks and cap pistols. The company specialized in cast iron mechanical banks from 1870 until the turn of the century. In 1859 they produced their first cap pistol and by 1928 they devoted themselves entirely to the production of cap pistols. An interesting side note is that J. & E. Stevens supplied The Gong Bell Manufacturing Company of Hampton, Connecticut, and Watrous Bell Toys with the castings for their bell toys. Elisha Stevens later joined George Brown to establish the Stevens & Brown. Brown and Elisha Stevens started a new toy enterprise in Cromwell in 1869 producing a variety of tin toys. During World War II the company closed due to the shortage of iron and the company was sold to Buckley Brothers of New York in 1950.