This is an unusual fiber-based toy, 3 1/2" long, with the word JEEP
molded into the front bumper, and with two soldiers who are wearing
British-style helmets. Jarek Skonieczny has discovered it was manufactured by M.A.
Henry. The Wellmade Doll & Toy also manufactured a very similar toy (apparently copies of each other) in the same composition material, about twice as long.
The Dale Model Co of Chicago manufactured ID models that were given to the
Allied forces during WWII. The models were used to train soldiers to
identify which types of vehicle to fire upon. They are hollow cast from
aluminum, and were available after the war as toys. This model was found in a
Kalamazoo antique mall by Mike Boyink, new and in the box.
The Kempro Company of Chicago released one of the first jeep model kits,
sold in the box shown here with what appears to be a Slat-Grille MB launching
itself into the air. See also the
box for a kit made by E.Z. Kraft, with a similar illustration (30K GIF).
Made by Baier Ges Gesch, this cast/machined Jeep is a cigarette case, lighter,
and ashtray all in one. When you turn the door handle, the center of the hood
pops up and the flame comes out. The late-forties versions had a solid
aluminum windshield that was part of the casting, while the later version
pictured here has a plastic windshield. The fenders are riveted on. The
roof is labelled as a souvenir of Germany, 1951.
The "Jumpin Jeep" was a popular Marx toy, probably first made in
the late 1940's. The rear wheels are the same as other larger early Marx Toys,
and steel, not rubber. Marx went on to manufacture a large variety of Jeep toys.
The Jeep game was manufactured by the George S. Carrington Company, 2740
Fullerton Ave, Chicago, in 1943. The instructions state that "This pocket
sized game board has been designed exclusively for men in the service. It is
complete with pegs and instruction book. The novel tying tape to be fastened
around the player's leg enables the games to be played in the cramped quarters
where table space is not available or in the open field."
This is the rare pen holder depicting three soldiers in what is
believed to be an early Bantam. It is believed that these were given to the
officers who were responsible for evaluating jeep prototypes. (Note the WWI
helmets.)
This picture is from the announcement of a contest in Popular Science Monthly,
August 1943: "Cash Prizes for your ideas on Peacetime Jobs for Jeeps.
First prize, $100."
See the full page from Popular Science (150K JPEG).
To get people thinking, Popular Science had this to
say: "When the war ends, what will be done with all the jeeps? Neil F.
Smith, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, suggests that automobile
manufacturers buy them up, paint them in bright colors, and add
peacetime accessories like those shown above. Distributed to civilians,
they would fill the gap while the car makers convert from war
production."
Thanks to Keith Buckley for the photos. -- Derek Redmond
See also Keith's Sandbox Jeeps of the 1950's.
Return to the Toy Jeeps Pages on The CJ3B Page.
Elsewhere on the web, see what was perhaps the first toy jeep, in the Museum at American Dimestore.com.
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