Kelmet “White” White Motor Co. “Big Boy” Pressed Steel BD7-25 Fire Engine Ladder Truck *SOLD*

Kelmet “White” White Motor Co. “Big Boy” Pressed Steel BD7-25 Fire Engine Ladder Truck 

We have for you a professionally restored pressed steel BD7-25 Kelmet “White” rear dual-wheel “Big Boy” fire engine ladder truck manufactured by the Kelmet Corporation of New York City, New York.  

Our truck is a real beauty. The wood ladders appear to be original with a thick and old varnish over a hardwood-like oak. Fittings appear original on the ladder too. The wheels are the highly sought-after open-spoke models used early on. 

Overall, the truck is in very good professionally restored condition with the proper “White” stickers on the side. Tires are replacements. The red paint has been matched to the original Kelmet and beautiful accessories, such as a polished brass radiator cap and a polished brass bell for the kids. The ladder does need a new rope. The front bumper has been dented and pulled back out. 

Length is over 38″ L with ladders, massive, and in scale to Buddy L fire trucks only better.   

This piece is in very good all professionally restored 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 display. This is approximately 38” L.  We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition. 

A brief history of the Kelmet Corporation of New York City, New York:  

There is much information about this company that we could find other than it was founded in the early 1920s (1923?)  in New York City, New York, and stayed in business into the late 1920s.   

Kelmet specialized in large-sized painted pressed steel trucks. The company also produced toys under the name “Trumodel” and the “Big Boy” line which they manufactured for J.C. Penny.  The “Big Boy” decal that appears on the sides of Kelmet toy trucks are also accompanied by the “White” decals or marks on them. The name “White” is for the famous White Motor Company which was an American automobile, truck, bus, and agricultural tractor manufacturer from about 1900 until 1980. The White Motor Company also produced bicycles, roller skates, automatic lathes, and sewing machines.   

An interesting side note, many of Kelmet’s parts were subcontracted to the American toy company A.C. Gilbert. A.C. Gilbert Company was famous for once being one of the largest toy companies in the world, who originated the Erector Set, which is a construction toy similar to Meccano in the rest of the world.