Info on this cat corkscrew please

[dalgarnoamanda]

Hi there

I am very glad to have come across this forum.  I have been trying to find out information on this corkscrew but have been having trouble.  It feels like it may be made of brass and has been painted in black.  It has "Gunga Din England" in raised letters on the back and also has a reg number but can only see the last few numbers of /673 I think.  The only info i have come across is that it might have been made by 'Moorgate (Birmingham) ltd' but can't find any more info on the company or what else they might have made.

Does anyone have any info on this item or have any idea what it may be worth.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[wendy177]

Found your little guy with no paint same makers mark
11th one down on left
http://www.bullworks.net/hcssale/pets/

Moorgate (Birmingham) Ltd., 84-5 Ryland Road, Birmingham, maker of 'Gunga Din' Products. 1930s & 1950s., company name dissolved July 1986.  While most of their production was of copperware,  brass-plated zinc diecasting was also produced.

[winffup]

Here's a painted one with the 673

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-Old-Gunga-Din-Figural-Cat-Corkscrew%2FRedg.-Number_W0QQitemZ150432451276QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20100412?IMSfp=TL100412131002r15255

[dalgarnoamanda]

Hi Wendy

Thanks for that.  Believe it or not. This is one of the things i found.  Also someone on ebay has one up for sale but doesn't know any info on it either.  The site you found also has it down for $125 and ebay is on for £28 so a huge difference there too.  Think i am becoming a little obsessed with finding out about this little guy.  Thanks for your help!

[wendy177]

Amanda also found  that Moorgate (Birmingham) Ltd., 84-5 Ryland Road, Birmingham, maker of 'Gunga Din' Products. 1930s & 1950s., company name dissolved July 1986.  While most of their production was of copperware, brass-plated zinc diecasting was aslo produced.

[sapphire]

Haha, guess we were all searching at the same time.!!

Won't bother posting the link again  

Back to the drawing board!

[sapphire]

Another, missing it's black enamel. Dated 1955.


About 3/4 of the way down the page.

http://www.corkscrewsonline.com/corkscrews_for_sale_figural_corkscrews_1.html

[dalgarnoamanda]

Yes think we were all on at the same time.  Thanks for info though.  This one seems to be quite difficult to find info on.  It looks like there are definately a few out there.

[sapphire]

Have you checked for any number markings on him/her?  (Really should be more awake when I read original posts)

http://www.corkscrewnet.com/EllisFigurals.htm

 (From the chart at the bottom of the page, fourth from last)

Gungadin cat   
877588

1955

[dalgarnoamanda]

lol Sapphire.  Yes it looks like these could be the numbers i couldn't quite make out.  The website is very interesting.  Thanks for that!  It's great to know that my little guy has some info on the net about him.

[dalgarnoamanda]

Does anyone know anything else regarding this item.  I am interested in the significance of 'Gunga Din'.  Theres obviously a lot of info regarding the film and poem but nothing in depth about this makers mark.  Thanks guys!

[KC]

If you really want to delve into this....check it out with one of these societies.  Since yours was made in England you might want to pursue with that group.

http://www.corkscrewnet.com/societies.htm

[dalgarnoamanda]

Thanks KC.  I will try this.  I will post again if i find anymore info.

[winffup]

I'm probably totally off base but I'd guess the Gunga Din reference probably has to do with a corkscrew helping to supply your liquid.

[dalgarnoamanda]

Oh thats so clever winfrup.  From the poem you mean. That didn't occur to me at all.  Nicely done!!