The ‘Golden Era’ of the Japanese tin lithographed toys began after World War ll in the early 1950′s and continued through the 1960′s and into the early 1970′s.

Even though these tin toys were very popular because of their colorful exteriors and attention to details, there was pressure to discontinue production from groups that felt toys manufactured in tin were more dangerous to children. The pressure from these groups eventually won out and resulted in companies discontinuing the manufacturing of these great toys.

During the ‘Golden Era’ there were many different models of toys, like automobiles made in the United States, as well as many robots, character toys, ferris wheels, race tracks, play sets, etc.

Many of the toys had unique modes of action, i.e.,

• Friction drive
• Wind up
• Battery-operated
• Combination of both

These brightly painted, litho toys can be found in sizes ranging from eighteen inches all the way down to a very small 1-inch in size.

In today’s market, the collecting of tin toys is still one of the largest segments of toys that you can still find and enter into at very low cost. In my opinion, I would recommend that you buy a current toy price guide so that you can be come familiar with, properly identify and purchase your toys at a good price. Not knowing the market value can really cost you in the long run if you don’t do your homework with a good price guide.

When you are out there searching for a Schuco model car to add to your collection, always remember that original Schuco cars will be marked on the bottom either ‘Germany’ or ‘U. S. Zone Germany’. If the car you find is marked differently, it will be a re-issue. Original Schuco cars that fall into this description were produced from the 1930′s to early 1950′s.

This very unusual clear plastic SCHUCO Racer # 1005 shown in the picture above has the following features:

• Clear plastic body
• Wind-up
• Tele-steering
• Marked Germany
• Schuco Mark on tires and front scoop
• Stop and go lever
• Rubber tires
• White rubber air scoop
• Plastic exhaust
• Clockwork action
• 5 1/2 inches long

If you decide to start collecting Schuco toys, always buy the toy in the best condition you can afford – and if you have the choice of buying with the box vs without the box – go for the box. Having the original Schuco box will add a whopping 70-80% to the value of your Schuco toy.

Note: Added box value is higher for Schuco than other toys which typically have an added box value of 15-20%.

The Hafner company was founded in 1900, but the first Toys produced wasn’t until 1901. The firm’s name was changed to W.F. Hafner in 1904, which later became the American Flyer. Then in 1914 Hafner started his own company Haefner manufacturing Company, and in 1918 his son joined him and from that point on they produced only wind up trains until they were bought out by Wyandotte in 1950.

The picture shown in my post is a Hafner wind up train that was produced after 1918, this train was made up of four cars and circle track.

• Engine
• Tender
• Coal car
• Caboose

If you would like to see some larger pictures of the train cars . . .  click here. 

In my opinion if you are looking to adding a quality wind up train to your collection, I believe the Hafner wind up train would the be one to chose.