Kenton Cast Iron Horse Drawn Fire Ladder Truck *SOLD*

Kenton Cast Iron Horse Drawn Fire Ladder Truck

We have for you a cast iron horse-drawn fire ladder engine that was manufactured by Kenton Toys/Kenton Hardware Co. of Kenton, Ohio.       

Enjoy our near-mint Kenton Toys horse-drawn fire ladder.  It was produced from the late 30s until the 50s.  Kenton worked their way towards simplicity, so this is a very clean and very impressionistic version of the fire toy.

The paint and condition are all original.  The ladders are original.

The driver is put in place and then permanently wedged in as they add fastening rivets.  This way kids didn’t lose their men; we see this Kenton method appear around 1931.

Fire toys are and were popular, so this is a more accessible style of cast iron to find.  That said, the condition here is immaculate and deserves extra respect.

This piece is in mint all original 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 play. This is approximately 8″ L. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.        

A brief history of Kenton Toys/ Kenton Hardware Co. of Kenton, Ohio:        

Kenton Hardware Co. of Kenton, Ohio was founded by F.M. Perkins (A patented line of refrigerator hardware). They operated from about 1890 to 1952.        

Their specialty was toy production which began in 1894 with a line of horse-drawn fire equipment, banks, and toy stoves. The company was renamed Kenton Hardware in 1900 and then it became part of the Mammoth National Novelty Corporation merger in 1903 which continued its toy line under the name Wing Mfg. Co. Kenton was involved in several unsuccessful takeovers until it eventually emerged as a separate unit, the Kenton Hardware Co., and again produced toys successfully from 1920 to 1935.        

Kenton ceased production in 1952 and the assets were sold in 1953. The Littlestown Hardware & Foundry acquired many Kenton toy designs and marketed them under the brand “Utexiqual”. Littlestown eventually folded in 1982.        

Modern collectors have to thank Kenton collector Robert Saylor and all of his tireless research on Kenton toys; his cataloging has immeasurably helped our hobby.