Gama Toys No. 70 Tin Lithographed Tank German Windup Toy *SOLD*

Vintage Gama Toys No. 70 Tin Lithographed Tank German Windup Toy

This vintage tin lithographed tank manufactured by Gama Toys of Fürth, Germany is a great shelf display with original treads. The wheels and treads move great and the windup is strong. You wind it up, slide the brake lever forward and the tank goes forward, the turret moves from side to side and the coaxial machine gun sparks.

We believe the treads on this are the original ones, but are stapled as a fix. Many of the rubber treads on Gama tanks are repaired, replaced, or completely missing. The wheels turn as they should and the windup is strong. The wheels show some some surface rust. A Gama winding key is included, but not original to this tank. The lithographs on this are in good condition with the usual patina, scratches, scuffs, and wear that are to be expected with age and pay. On the front of the tank, it says “No. 70”, “Gama Tank”, “D.G.M”, and “’Made in Germany U.S. Zone”. While it could use a little cleaning this piece is in excellent all original condition with no restorations, repairs, or touch ups.

The machine gun turret door and gun barrel are still intact. The coaxial machine gun port still sparks nicely. Other versions of his have a soldier inside that moves in and out of the turret hatch. We aren’t sure if this one came with one or not. Either way, it does not come with a soldier.

This little but hefty tank is approximately 5 ¼” x 3 ½” x 3 ¼” We encourage you to look at the photos to get a better idea of condition and quality.

A brief history of Gama Toys of Fürth, Germany:

Toys like this were some of the first Post WW2 toys to come out of Germany.  The lithography and detail was very good and very evocative of the war effort.  In fact, this potentially was made just before the war, as soon the German toys paid tribute to US tanks with US stars, and American references.  Ours is more German home-front in style from 1940 or so.

According to Edward Force, Gama is the acronym for Georg Adam MAngold, who started the company in Fürth, Germany in 1882 making tinplate mechanical toys. Most toy production up through World War II and up until the late 1950’s was lithographed tinplate.

In the early 1940’s, toy tanks were popular and offered in various sizes including 3.5 and 7 inches in length. The destruction of World War II disrupted production as with other German makers such as Märklin and Schuco. In the late 1940’s, production was started again under the auspices of the U.S.