Wilkins Toy Co. Cast Iron Maine Battleship *SOLD*

Wilkins Toy Co. Cast Iron Maine Battleship 

We have for you this highly desirable Maine battleship manufactured by Wilkins Toy Co. of Keene, New Hampshire. 

The towers and turrets have been professionally recast in cast iron and aged.  

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 13 ¾” L.  We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.           

A brief history of Wilkins Toy Co. of Keene, New Hampshire:
 

1890 – 1919 (see also Kingsbury)
Founder: James S. Wilkins
Specialty: One of the earliest manufacturers to produce toy automobiles, circa 1895. Another Keene, New Hampshire, firm, headed by Henry T. Kingsbury, bought out Wilkins that same year, but the toy line carried the Wilkins name and trademark until 1919.   

A brief history of Kingsbury Mfg. Co. (also see Wilkins Toy Co.) of Keene, New Hampshire:
  

Active: 1919 – 1942
Wilkins Toy Co.
Founder: Harry T. Kingsbury
Specialty: In 1895 Harry T. Kingsbury bought Wilkins and combined it with the Clipper Machine Works, which specialized in farm equipment. In the early 1900s, toy automobiles were introduced to the company line. The Wilkins line was dropped following WWI in favor of Kingsbury, which was by know an established name in the field. Kingsbury specialized in copying famous models of aircraft and assembly-line, trucks, and buses. WWII saw Kingsbury shifting to war contracts and never returning again to toy production. All production equipment was sold to Keystone in Boston. The company still exists, but as Kingsbury Machine Tool Division, a subcontractor for such giants as IBM, General Motors, and GE.