Antique Arcade Toys McCormick-Deering Horse Drawn Weber Farm Wagon

A fine example of this early Arcade toy, this McCormick-Deering wagon dates to approximately 1925. Consistent with Arcade’s slogan, “They Look Real”, the company’s wagon faithfully cast the original’s drop tongue, 12-ft. box, and spring seat. The Arcade Manufacturing Company began producing cast-iron toys in Freeport, Illinois around the turn of the 19th century. Arcade Toys became one of America’s leading toy producers. But the coming of World War II turned its manufacturing focus to the war effort. In 1941, Arcade ended toy production to begin producing armor plating. After the war, times and tastes were changing. Aluminum and plastics would become the materials of choice for toys. In 1945, Arcade was bought out by the Rockwell Manufacturing Company of Buffalo, New York, and would never produce toys again. Truly the end of an era.