Came across this little beauty the other day.
It’s a tinplate Military Motorcycle Combination, probably dating from the early 1930’s. Unfortunately, there are no makers marks on the toy but it’s more than likely made by the German tinplate manufacturer Kellerman.
Georg Kellermann started making tin toys in 1910. By the 1920s he had started producing tin toys with a winding mechanism, and by the 1930s the company became famous for it military mechanical toys. The military motorcycle combination came out just before the onset of WW2 and was a huge hit for the company.
Unlike other Kellerman combinations I’ve seen previously, this does not feature the company’s famous CKO logo. Normally you can find this printed on right arm of the motorcyclist.
They key was missing which was a pity (replacements can be found easily thought) because I was dying to see it fly across the floor with its machine gun sparking!
Nonetheless, a great toy in fabulous condition.
Tinplate collectors out there – let us know if you’ve come across anything like this without marks. If its not Kellerman, then who made it? Leave a reply in the box at the bottom of the page . We’d love to hear from you!
Featured Image courtesy of our friends at www.britishtoyauctions.co.uk
