J.E. Stevens Co. ca. 1885 Cast Iron Big Locomotive Train 8″ *SOLD*

J.E. Stevens Co. ca. 1885 Cast Iron Big Locomotive Train 8″

We have for you a ca. 18885 cast iron Big 6 locomotive that was manufactured by J. & E. Stevens & Company of Cromwell, Connecticut. 

Here is an American classic– The Big 6 train by cast iron maker J.E. Stevens.   Our toy is mostly original with a repair.

The toy has the original paint but has half of the cowcatcher replaced with lead.  Otherwise, the toy is in good original condition with original wheels.

This was a classic “floor toy” which is why the cowcatcher had an issue.  Kids would pull these along on a string for fun.

This piece shows the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, missing accessories, and wear that is to be expected from age and play. This is approximately 8″ L. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.   

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 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.