Mechanical bank: William Tell

ca. 1896

Place madeConnecticut, United States, North America

Iron, paint

Overall: 6 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 3 3/4 in. ( 16.5 x 26.7 x 9.5 cm )

Purchased from Elie Nadelman

1937.481

The design patent No. 25,662 was taken out by Russell Frisbie of Cromwell, CT after the mechanism was patented on June 23, 1896 and assigned to J. & E. Stevens Co. (See Publications)

DescriptionCast iron mechanical bank in the form of figure holding gun, pointing at small child standing in front of castle-like fortress, on textured base painted green; larger (male) figure in Elizabethan-style dress with boots planted on base; child standing with apple on top of head, at top of steps; when coin launcher on rifle is pulled back, larger figure lowers head; after coin is placed in rifle and right foot is pressed, coin is fired into castle, knocking apple off boy's head and striking gong.

Markingscast: beneath base: "PATENTED JUNE 23 1896."

ClassificationsTOYS