Kenton Cast Iron Horse Drawn Fire Chief Wagon *SOLD*

Kenton Cast Iron Horse Drawn Fire Chief Wagon

This cart has been attributed to Kenton after an exhaustive review.  It is a Kenton Horse and a very early Chief cart ca. 1905.

We believe it was an early version before they raised lettering within the mold rather than hand-applied lettering of “CHIEF”.

The toy appears all original with high point rubs and chipping.

SOLD to client, but photos for sharing.

Replaced driver.

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

Kenton Hardware Co. of Kenton, Ohio was founded by F.M. Perkins (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.