Carette Fleischmann Tin Windup Gunboat Ship Toy *SOLD*

Carette Fleischmann Gunboat Tin Toy

We believe this Carette/Fleischmann Gunboat to be all original and a beautiful example.    The cannon boat toy comes in a beautiful light green/blue and then dark green, gold, and cream.

Length is over 12″, making this the larger size with desirable gun and rail detailing in gold.

The smoke stacks have the appropriate 100 year old ever so slight flaking and a tough of aging; proper details. The hull has very minor cracks in the bow.

The previous owner had a number of plain cardboard boxes that were separated from the collection, and we believe this was boxed for most of its life.

This is a working windup, when the dedicated key (located between the smoke stacks) is wound the prop turns.

A brief history of Georges Carette & Co. of Nuremberg, Germany: 

Georges Carette & Co. was founded in 1886 in Nuremberg, Germany by Georges Carette with the backing of Gebruder Bing. 

Carette specialized in mechanical tin boats, cars, street cars, model trains and trains. Many of Carette’s toys were lithographed. For those that don’t know, Carette toys are treasured for their beautiful multi-colored lithography and detail.  They were produced in large quantities based on production numbers, yet just don’t survive; a testament to their play value for kids. 

In 1917, Carette as a French citizen was deported from Germany, thus closing the firm. 

A brief history of Fleischmann Brothers or Gebrüder Fleischmann Nürnberg of Nuremberg, Germany  

Fleischmann is a German manufacturer of model railway products. Fleischmann was founded in Nuremberg, Germany in 1887 by Jean Fleischmann as an engraver and maker of handicrafts and paper weights. In 1898, the company began to make tin toys, such as ships, airplanes and magnetic maritime toys including swimming and walking animals and water fountains, under the name of Fleischmann Brothers or Gebrüder Fleischmann Nürnberg. Many of the early products can be found marked with the “GFN” markings. In the 1920’s and 1930’s, Fleischmann was best known for its clockwork and live steam mechanism tinplate boats and automotive replicas. In August 1932, Fleischmann bought up the model boat machinery and tooling from Bing when they ceased production. In 1939, Fleischmann took over Doll et Cie and began making the toy trains for which they are renowned today.