Arcade Cast Iron #268 Caterpillar Cat Ten Ton Crawler Tractor Small Flawed Decal Version *SOLD*

Arcade Cast Iron #268 Caterpillar Cat Ten Ton Crawler Tractor Small Flawed Decal Version

We have for you this small version green cast iron “Caterpillar Cat Ten Ton” crawler track-type tractor toy, model #268 with flawed decals that was manufactured by the Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois. 

This Cat Ten Ton tractor by Arcade is one sought after construction toy. This is a two-piece cast iron construction where the halves are held together with a riveted steel rod in the center. The wheels, axles, driver, and guide rods appear to be nickel plated cast iron. The treads are nickeled steel chain links. Embossed on both the left and right front sides of the tractor it says “Ten” vertically.  

The thing that makes this tractor special is the flaw in the placement of the decal on the left-hand side. This is all original and came from the factory this way! All of the decals including the flawed one are in great condition with the usual flaking and loss that can be seen with age and play.  

This Arcade cast iron Caterpillar tractor 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 5 ½” L x 4” H. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition. 

A brief history of Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois: 

The Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois was originally founded as Novelty Iron Works by Edward H. and Charles Morgan in 1868, and conducted business in two small buildings with a staff of ten people. 

The company operated between the years 1868 to 1946. They began making toys and coffee mills and then moved to a new site in 1893 (after fires, financial issues, and changing their name from Novelty Iron Works). 

Arcade toy catalogs appear to start at 1902 and as late as 1939. Arcade`s toy line included over 300 toy items. Yellow Cab was their first successful toy followed by Andy Gump in 348 and Chester Gump in His Pony Cart. Arcade also made toy banks, doll house furniture, and cast-iron penny toys. 

A brief history of Caterpillar Tractor Company of Peoria, Illinois: 

The Caterpillar Tractor Company was originally formed in 1925 as the result of a merger between the Holt Manufacturing Company and C. L. Best Tractor Company, the Caterpillar name originated years earlier. In the early 1900s, seeking for a way to improve the mobility and traction of his company’s steam tractors, Benjamin Holt replaced the wheels with wooden tracks bolted to chains. The innovation worked so well that one bystander was said to have remarked that the machine crawled along much like a caterpillar. Holt agreed, and dubbed his new machine “Caterpillar,” a name he eventually trademarked in 1910.