Folkart or Folk junk?

[Rauville]

I found this apparent 'handmade" pull toy in a basement about 30 years ago. The materials are basically wood, with cast iron wheels. Overall measurements are approx. 12" long x 8" tall. The articulated action moves the rider up and down in the saddle, and he waves his arm as the toy is pulled.

I have yet to see anything quite like this, and was curious as to what era it might be from.

[hosman321]

I'm not too knowledgeable about era, I would say early 1900s but I do know it's not junk! I'm no expert, but it looks original from what I can see. I hope others can chime in. Cool toy!

[snowflake]

What a fantastic find. Those things are worth money if you go by what is on tv.
This one is asking $295. I have no idea of that is what it is worth.
http://www.trocadero.com/stores/stonegate/items/811027/item811027.html
To me yours looks so much cooler!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Wow! If it's authentic, it is definitely NOT "folk-junk". Even if it is a repro it is cute enough to have value. A couple of things I can see that look very promising-

Take a close look at those slotted screw heads. If I'm not mistaken, yours are a teensy bit off-center, which would indicate that they are individually slotted, old screws. Check out the one at the rider's knee. That one looks way off, which is very good.

The wear on the edges looks good also. Look at the fibers of the mane and tail. These should be cotton, probably from a mop. You should see no shiny fibers like polyester. Although I am feeling like these should look a little dirtier than they do if they are as old as the rest of it looks, especially considering the wear on the rest of it. It is possible that these were added later.

Is that leather connecting the moving parts on the bottom/inside? You should see some wear and age on that. It's also a sign of potential age.

I think if you're not sure what you've got, you might want to take it to a local antiques appraiser and get their take on it. Those screws are lookin' mighty authentic to me, even though finding this kind of toy seems almost too good to be true.

[hosman321]

You're right tales! The only thing that makes me a tiny bit nervous is the paint on the horse. It looks sort of...aged or distressed to look old. It might just be sponge painted though. But, you're right about the screws.

[talesofthesevenseas]

I was thinking the same thing, it almost has that "washed over" look that you see on repro pieces, but I've never known a repro to use authentic screws. I think it's going to need a hands-on appraisal to tell for sure.

Can you see the raw ends of the neck spring? Have a look at that. It should look rusty crusty and not silvery shiney.

[JoshandLila]

Looks like a great piece to me!!

[mart]

Look closely at the loose ends of the strings that make the mane !!  Does it look like they were melted at the tips !!  Cotton would have come loose and frayed, cotton plus nylon does not and is usually treated  with heat so it doesn`t fray !! Tail is a bit loose at the ends but it looks like it was made this way as all are pretty much identical !! Wear is very even, paint is a bit too even !!  This being a kids toy, it does not show the wear I would expect from a rough and tumble kid !!  
That being said,, its always possible that it was used for a short while and then stored !!  If its an original you have a good one !!   But it needs a hands on from someone that knows these type toys !!  Not your local antique dealer !!
Forgot to say that the date could be earlier than 1900 I would say from 1890 to about 1910 or so !! They didn`t put ears on the horses back then !! Not sure why ??

[greenacres]

I don't know enough but I really like it!

[mart]

Forget what I said about the mane,, Just looked with my glasses on and it appears to be folded !! So the end would have been continuous !!  Still,, something doesn`t look right about it !!  Its just too consistant !!  I look at the scrapes and wear and wonder what would a kid be doing that would cause that ??
I like it too, but for Rauville,, I would like it better if original and not a repro !! Even an old repro !!

[snowflake]

Thank goodness for people who know their stuff. You are all like antique detectives here!  
I took one look at it and just thought what a fantastic antique. Wouldn't even have thought about half of the stuff mentioned here.

[mart]

Snowflake,, imagine a kid pulling this toy and it turns over and they walk a step or two dragging it !!  Wear would show on the high points,, wherever the toy touched the ground or floor !! Now look at the horses back leg on pic 3 !!  See where the wear is ??  All the way around the back of the leg !! And the paint is gone from the top of the legs rather than the sides !!  Does this make sense ??  I don`t put much faith in those screw heads being off !! I have bought them in a bulk bin that were off more than those are !!  They were factory seconds that missed the grade for #1 !!

[KC]

Something just doesn't feel right....

However, if you really found it 30 years ago...it is at least 30+ years old! 

[mart]

I am thinking this one was possibly made in Germany !!  It does not fit with any of the people or companies working in the US !!  In fact very few here even made wooden pull toys !! Most were either cast iron or tin even in the 1800`s !! Could possibly be a folk art piece using old parts  !! But I am more inclined to think it was made by German woodworkers !!  They were really exceptional at their craft !!
 Rauville,, where are you located ??

[snowflake]

I get it now. Thanks! Pretty soon I'll be force to be reckoned with at local lawn sales! LOL! Well,  Rauville, you still have a chance someone like me would buy it!