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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: artx on October 26, 2012, 06:46:27 AM

Title: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: artx on October 26, 2012, 06:46:27 AM

Hello everybody i looking for advice,i have someone who want to sell me 4 american Mechanical Bank(in the link you can see them)
every Mechanical Bank he asking for 60$
i am not sure if this Mechanical Bank is the "real deal" or just a replica,and if the price is good.
i hope you can help me  :)

link: http://imgur.com/a/ePEOX

thanks.

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: ghopper1924 on October 26, 2012, 07:21:18 AM

I'm getting the feeling that these are reproductions. Check for a "grainy " feeling surface rather poorly joined pieces and phhilips-head screws. Any of these might be giveaways.  Plus the prices seem too low.

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: mart on October 26, 2012, 08:55:18 AM

Pics on that site are not good enough to give an opinion !! If you would post them here at about 1500kb in size, we can see better and perhaps tell if they are likely reproductions !! I would question the person as to how he acquired them !!

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: bigwull on October 26, 2012, 11:50:42 AM

There,s lots of them on Ebay...from $1050+....down to..$25...you tell me which one you,d buy....

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: bigwull on October 26, 2012, 12:03:42 PM

more of the same...ranging fro $700 down to $15....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1888-Cast-Iron-Hubley-Trick-Dog-Mechanical-Bank-Hoop-Clown-Barrel-Coins-Inside-/260951092053?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc1e5ab55

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on October 26, 2012, 12:12:45 PM

There was a recent Pawn Stars episode dealing with reproduction banks. It is very hard to identify them. As I understand it, you need to look at the screws on the bottom first and idendify if they are mass-manufactured (modern) or if they were individually slotted. (slots are a little bit off because they were done one at a time). Second look at the paint loss. It should not look too new and you should see "rubs" on the high points of the casting consistant with use. Third you need to research the particular model of bank and learn what the castings look like on known, identified originals. The bottom should be your best way to identify it, look for makers names, quirks in the casting etc. Another way to ID reproductions is that 19th century craftsmen took more pride in their work and parts fit solid, seams filed down and hidden etc. Banks can tough to ID! The reproductions look so real!

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: Rauville on October 26, 2012, 02:14:25 PM

Before investing in mechanical banks, it would be worthwhile to find a copy of this book: http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOY-BANK-REPRODUCTIONS-AND-FAKES-ROBERT-McCUMBER-1970-/360500475276?pt=Vintage_Antique_Toys_US&hash=item53ef80b58c (http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOY-BANK-REPRODUCTIONS-AND-FAKES-ROBERT-McCUMBER-1970-/360500475276?pt=Vintage_Antique_Toys_US&hash=item53ef80b58c).
Even though it's from 1970, it still offers the best information on reproductions. One thing it shows are the base tracings of original banks, which will be slightly larger in size than the repops.

(IMO: The banks shown by the OP fall into the decorative category.)

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: artx on October 27, 2012, 03:32:41 AM

well thank you all for the good answers,i think i will not gonna do this deal.
after i read what you all told me here,i think is it just a replica.
 
i really happy i found this forum.

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: mart on October 27, 2012, 08:08:31 AM

I think thats a good idea !! You have to question when someone has four, all same maker, and could easily get more if original !!

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: artx on October 27, 2012, 12:04:11 PM

here a Photos  from the underside of the Mechanical Bank.

http://imgur.com/a/v5RPk#0

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: mart on October 27, 2012, 12:56:40 PM

Question,, are you using the word American as a brand name or just that they are from the USA ??  May have misread your post or misunderstood it !!

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: artx on October 27, 2012, 01:01:23 PM

well i using the word american cuz this should be american Mechanical Bank.

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: bigwull on October 27, 2012, 01:03:39 PM

some more...1)....http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARTILLERY-BANK-Antique-Mechanical-Bank-circa-1892-/321007902634?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abd8fdfaa

2)http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIGINAL-EARLY-MECHANICAL-BANK-ARTILLERY-BANK-NOT-A-REPRO-/110848117980?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19cf100cdc

3)http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Theodore-Roosevelt-Teddy-and-the-Bear-Foundry-Cast-Iron-Mechanical-Coin-Bank-/251172160997?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7b0705e5

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: artx on October 27, 2012, 01:07:16 PM

yep now i sure,this is not the real deal :)

Title: Re: american Mechanical Bank
Post by: mart on October 27, 2012, 01:30:41 PM

http://reviews.ebay.com/WOW-Cast-Iron-Bank-Antique-Collectible-Original-Rpo?ugid=10000000002202019
You might want to read this !!  Gives a few tips to tell real from repro !!